Nominations & Timing the SAT/ACT

Often, early due dates and late testing impact earning a nomination!

Here's the dilemma: Your Member of Congress (MoC) has a September nomination application due date, and you plan you take the September ACT and/or SAT. Based on normal timing, your new scores will likely arrive too late!

So, what do you do? . . . Let's take a few minutes to review your possible approaches, including a strategy to avoid this kind of dilemma!

As most students will recognize, the ACT and SAT are offered throughout the year. Register on both sites and find the test dates that work for you. My advice to all of my students is simple — take these tests early and often!

With superscoring, taking mulitple ACT/SATs makes lots of sense. The service academies (SAs) all take your best components and will ignore your lower ones, even if they are your latest scores. Also, this year is the first time that the SAs will accept the CLT. It is clearly an option, but I do not recommend it. I have a blog about the test here.

For some students, you may have missed taking the test early, and suddenly you are looking at short deadlines.

Let's continue discussing other options for you . . .

First, with each of your nominations, study the application details. Often, Members of Congress (MOCs) will accept scores after their nomination application due date, if test is taken prior to the deadline. For example, a Senator has a due date of October 1, and you plan to take the September 19th ACT. The office will accept your scores in early October since you took the test prior to October 1.

I strongly recommend sending scores directly from ACT.org (or CollegeBoard.org) to ensure they arrive in a timely manner. Waiting until the results are provided to you and then sending them to the Senator's team is an unnecessary delay. However, some MoCs do not have a code with ACT or SAT, so you will have to send them yourself. In my experience, all MoCs superscore the ACT and SAT so don't be concerned if you send lower scores to your MoC through either testing organization.

One additional point: you may send the scores directly to the Representative or Senator and simply see if they accept them. The worst thing that happens is they will ignore the new scores!

One other idea is to present your 'newest' scores at your nomination interview. Clearly, this option is not available if you are not invited for an interview, or if your MOC does not conduct interviews. Be sure to have paper copies of your score reports that you are able to leave with the interviewers.

Lastly, if none of these options work for you. Take the ACT or SAT anyways as it will help with your SA applications and consideration for the Prep Schools and Foundation scholarships, too. A nomination is not necessary to be considered for these two paths to the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, or Military Academy (and USMMA or USCGA, too).

Timing the SAT or ACT is easy if you take it 'early and often,' but if you miss early opportunites, then I hope you found my advice in this blog helpful. Start today with your planning for the SAT/ACT . . . I wish you the best!

[I would welcome a chance to discuss details with you. I offer coaching services to pace and prepare you (and your parents!) for the entire Academy application process . . . including counseling and coaching around timing your SAT and/or ACT along on ways to prepare for the tests! Contact me at chris@cbbrechin.com and/or 503.515.7406 -- my contact form is here]