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rangelady · 07-09-2009, 05:29 PM

There is no simple way to answer your question. It is all relative. Relative to who applies nationwide and in your state/congressional district.

There are some places you can look for clues, however. On the USNA homepage, click on "About USNA" and then on "class profiles." The 2009 profile is there to compare your test scores with. The 2010, 2011, and 2012 profiles are also widely available and someone on here will have the link. Hard copies are available from Admissions. Test scores are very similar from year to year.

You will note that more kids are >700 on both parts of SAT than are <600. Especially math. Nearly 3 times as many appointees scored over 700 on the math as scored less than 600. Have you retaken the SAT/ACT? Scores can improve with self study guides or paid courses.

USNA looks for strong character and demonstrated leadership. Commitment to an activity or sport for many, or at least, several years. While this may have been a challenge for you, it is still important to USNA. Leadership is not always getting elected to a position; many times those are "figurehead" type positions won by popularity. True leadership involves actually doing something, teaching others, guiding others: team captain, Eagle Scout, 4-H, school clubs and committees.

Physical fitness is a very important part of the equation as well. I can tell you that on I-Day +1 this year, plebes were running at 6 am. Some were throwing up, most were running right along! There was no "easing into" the physical part of plebe summer. They jumped in headfirst!

A Service Academy is one of the toughest schools to gain admission to for the simple fact that the applicant must have the "whole enchilada" as we say in west Texas. Eggheads can get into the Ivy League schools while awesome athletes can go to school nearly anywhere they want. Service Academies demand commitment, smarts and athleticism. And at least the next nine years of your life! Only a few can demonstrate these characteristics and gain admittance. This year at USNA it was 1230 out of over 15,000 applicants.

I suggest you peruse this forum as well as the "serviceacademyforums" where the topic has been addressed at length.

At the end of the day, the simple answer to the question you and others pose frequently on here is "It depends."

07-09-2009, 05:29 PM	#2
rangelady Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 104	There is no simple way to answer your question. It is all relative. Relative to who applies nationwide and in your state/congressional district. There are some places you can look for clues, however. On the USNA homepage, click on "About USNA" and then on "class profiles." The 2009 profile is there to compare your test scores with. The 2010, 2011, and 2012 profiles are also widely available and someone on here will have the link. Hard copies are available from Admissions. Test scores are very similar from year to year. You will note that more kids are >700 on both parts of SAT than are <600. Especially math. Nearly 3 times as many appointees scored over 700 on the math as scored less than 600. Have you retaken the SAT/ACT? Scores can improve with self study guides or paid courses. USNA looks for strong character and demonstrated leadership. Commitment to an activity or sport for many, or at least, several years. While this may have been a challenge for you, it is still important to USNA. Leadership is not always getting elected to a position; many times those are "figurehead" type positions won by popularity. True leadership involves actually doing something, teaching others, guiding others: team captain, Eagle Scout, 4-H, school clubs and committees. Physical fitness is a very important part of the equation as well. I can tell you that on I-Day +1 this year, plebes were running at 6 am. Some were throwing up, most were running right along! There was no "easing into" the physical part of plebe summer. They jumped in headfirst! A Service Academy is one of the toughest schools to gain admission to for the simple fact that the applicant must have the "whole enchilada" as we say in west Texas. Eggheads can get into the Ivy League schools while awesome athletes can go to school nearly anywhere they want. Service Academies demand commitment, smarts and athleticism. And at least the next nine years of your life! Only a few can demonstrate these characteristics and gain admittance. This year at USNA it was 1230 out of over 15,000 applicants. I suggest you peruse this forum as well as the "serviceacademyforums" where the topic has been addressed at length. At the end of the day, the simple answer to the question you and others pose frequently on here is "It depends."
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