Letters of Recommendation

bcal

5-Year Member
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Jun 11, 2011
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Are letters of recommendation required/encouraged for the academy? When I visited UF they said don't bother as they won't be read and don't bear on admission, so I was wondering if it is the same deal with the academy. If they are used, who would be the best to get? Coaches, teachers, academy grads, retired officers?

Thank you,
bcal
 
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Yes they are required...usually from a coach, math teacher and teacher of English I believe. And they are read. UF probably has 30,000 kids who apply so it would be tough to read all of those.:wink:
 
Are letters of recommendation required/encouraged for the academy? When I visited UF they said don't bother as they won't be read and don't bear on admission, so I was wondering if it is the same deal with the academy. If they are used, who would be the best to get? Coaches, teachers, academy grads, retired officers?

Thank you,
bcal

Boss, as always, is correct.

3 Letters of Recommendation/Evaluation forms from Math, English and PE teacher or Coach. (REQUIRED - ON INCLUDED FORM)

Extra letters of Recommendation may be included, but there is no form necessary.

Extra letters of Recommendations should be from people who know you well, can speak to your character, and speak to what you can offer the Coast Guard and the Academy.

Extra letters of recommendation should be written on professional letterheads, signed, and have contact information included.
 
Thank you for the information, you answered all of my questions.
 
Are they actual letters or are they forms like the other service academies have?

:wave:

3 Letters of Recommendation/Evaluation forms from Math, English and PE teacher or Coach. (REQUIRED - ON INCLUDED FORM)

Extra letters of Recommendation may be included, but there is no form necessary.

Extra letters of Recommendations should be from people who know you well, can speak to your character, and speak to what you can offer the Coast Guard and the Academy.

Extra letters of recommendation should be written on professional letterheads, signed, and have contact information included.
 
I recommend sending in the maximum number of positive teacher recommendations that you can. When I applied I think it was 5?
 
I'll be applying as a college freshman (didn't know anything about CG or CGA last year). Can I still use high school teachers as my recommenders?
 
Nope...need new ones. Speaking from experience. DS had to do the same. Good luck, and try to develop a very quick relationship with your math/english professors. Go to office hours and have a talk with them about your desire to attend CGA and ask them what you need to do (ie, show them in class or in your written work) to get a stellar letter of rec. With any luck you will get a compassionate prof who will write you a great letter. Of course, make sure you put in 100+ percent in all assignments so that this request will be easy to honor.
 
Good to know, thanks. That doesn't hold true for the PE teacher/coach evaluation does it? As of right now, I'm not signed up for a PE class. And although there's a chance I'll be on a club team, I'll probably just do intramurals and work out on my own.
 
Good to know, thanks. That doesn't hold true for the PE teacher/coach evaluation does it? As of right now, I'm not signed up for a PE class. And although there's a chance I'll be on a club team, I'll probably just do intramurals and work out on my own.

My son had his new PFE done by the same coach who administered the test during his senior year of hs. He had his college coach write a letter of rec. If you were involved in sports previously, maybe you could have one of your former coaches write the letter....better than not having one, I'd wager.
 
If you were involved in sports previously, maybe you could have one of your former coaches write the letter

Sorry if my question was poorly worded. That ^ is exactly what I was asking, if that would be allowed. I played four years of varsity soccer and knew the coach pretty well off the field as well, so she could obviously write me a way better recommendation than any p.e. teacher or coach I know for one semester in college (assuming I even end up having one, that is).
 
Sorry if my question was poorly worded. That ^ is exactly what I was asking, if that would be allowed. I played four years of varsity soccer and knew the coach pretty well off the field as well, so she could obviously write me a way better recommendation than any p.e. teacher or coach I know for one semester in college (assuming I even end up having one, that is).

If you don't have another rec, then I would go for it. Can't hurt...but of course calling your AAP or Admissions Officer would be a good bet. They are the ones with the real knowledge. Good luck!
 
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