<p>Mister Sinister … don’t worry, they’ll get the SATs. That’s when you’ll rightly need to be concerned. As GA has noted rightly, these are deemed illustrative of one’s ability/aptitude to succeed in calc, diff EQ, and math oriented courses. Unlike other colleges you would be unable to avoid them. </p>
<p>It’s easy to relate to your valid concern that your current candidacy may not be progressed in the absence of stronger evidence of capacity to do well in very challenging mathematics. But there is good and long-time experience behind the thinking. And in the end, it is deemed in the best interests of the Navy which in turn is in the best interest of the nation’s defense. There are alternative routes to service of course, that do not require strong math aptitude.</p>
<p>Not directed directly at you, but my plebe attended a so-so competitive high school for rednecks and future Wally World greeters. And he really knows his calculus and it showed on his scores. And that’s the very reason USNA looks at yours (and all) math scores. Because your great rank at a stellar top-shelf international school seeminly lends no clue as to how you’ll stack up against all those bumpkin kids like mine and others who come from all over the planet … unless you take the same test in the same time.</p>