<p>MS- (noting the letter is dated several years ago)- </p>
<p>From my understanding, the peliminary application asks for both SAT/ACT scores AND class rank, both of which are used to screen for potential candidates. Class rank is heavily weighted in this process, as it is in determining the “whole person” score when deemed an official candidate. </p>
<p>What the College Board advises against is using the SAT/ACT score(s) as the SOLE determinant of admission/exclusion criteria. As the USNA uses class rank as a “higher order” criteria, the SAT is not a sole determinant, but rather an additional factor to consider.</p>
<p>Another point to note:</p>
<p><a href=“%5Burl%5Dhttp://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/research/RDGuideUseCBTest020729.pdf%5B/url%5D”>quote</a><br>
5.6 guard against using minimum test scores unless used in conjunction with other information such as secondary school performance and unless properly validated. An exception to this guideline is that institutions may establish, based on emperical data, specific score levels that reflect desired skill competencies, such as English language proficiency.
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</p>
<p>The USNA tabulates and reports on the performance of each grade- including the performance of specific groups (minority, gender, athletes). No doubt this emperical data helps to identify those factors that aid in predicting a successful outcome (ie: graduation) at the time one applies. As for screening out candidates “too early” in the process (assuming they are referring to minority and/or disadvantaged groups), USNA has been upfront in it’s desire to increase minority enrollment, with measures taken to facilitate meeting desired levels in the admission process. </p>
<p>While one might agree/disagree with the merits of using SATs as one factor in the screening process, the reality is that a certain academic proficiency is needed to be successful in taking the core classes at USNA- including math, science and english. I would argue that the majority of schools have a range of SAT scores that are deemed in range of what is desired / needed by it’s student body- most schools post those ranges right on the college board website. While “minimum” scores are not posted, it would seem reasonable to assume those falling far outside the range are “less competetive” in terms of gaining an offer of admission then those within the range. </p>
<p>There are exceptions to everything, and no doubt exceptions to this as well.<br>
The bottom line is that SAT scores do factor in- along with a whole host of other things. For me, better to know the target that has to be hit then shooting in the dark- gives you something to aim for!</p>