I'm considering applying to the Naval Academy and I'm curious about the typical ACT scores and GPA needed for admission. Does anyone know what range I should be aiming for to be competitive?
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is quite competitive, so it's a great idea to get a sense of what academic credentials are expected of successful applicants.
While the precise minimum GPA and ACT scores aren't officially published by the Naval Academy, you can get a sense of the competitiveness by looking at the profiles of admitted students. First, it's important to note that the Naval Academy, like many institutions, uses a holistic review process, which means they consider all parts of your application, not just your academic performance. But to give you a sense, the middle 50% ACT scores for admitted students generally range from 26 to 32.
As for GPA, the average GPA of admitted students is historically quite high, with an estimated average around 3.66. That being said, a higher percentage of admitted students have GPAs above 3.5.
Keep in mind, rigorous coursework, leadership roles, physical fitness evaluations, essays, and interviews are all crucial parts of the application process to the Naval Academy, and they will take these into consideration alongside your GPA and test scores. Also, applying to any service academy, including the Naval Academy, requires a nomination, typically from a U.S. Representative or Senator.
Aiming for a solid GPA (above a 3.5) and strong ACT scores (above 26) should set you in a competitive range academically. However, the above-average student will have scores and a GPA at the higher end of these ranges.
So while a strong GPA and ACT score are important, also remember to focus on developing well-rounded experiences, physical fitness, and leadership skills, as those are essential for the Naval Academy's holistic review process. Good luck with your Naval Academy application journey!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.