CGA Backup Plan

downhiller2010

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Feb 22, 2009
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If the worst happens next year and I do not get an appointment what is a better backup plan?

1)Attend NGCSU or any other military college and participate in ROTC
or
2) Attend a prep school such as:
-Georgia Military College
-Marion Military Institute
-Massachusetts Maritime Academy
 
Look at the Maritime Academies. The reason is that upon graduation there is
a direct commissioning program for Maritime Students which is different from OCS.
Go to the U.S. Coast Guard web site Officer Commissioning programs and learn more about it. Best of luck to you.
 
Im assuming if I attended a maritime academy this would reflect well on my reapplication to CGA. :)
 
Not necessarily. Never give up, just know that a Maritime School prepares you to go to sea. It will also furnish you with a USCG Engineering or Deck Officer License. It is that license and experience that the Coast Guard is interested in.
This is why the Coast Guard offers that direct commissioning option which is different than OCS. Like I said check it out.
 
Not necessarily. Never give up, just know that a Maritime School prepares you to go to sea. It will also furnish you with a USCG Engineering or Deck Officer License. It is that license and experience that the Coast Guard is interested in.
This is why the Coast Guard offers that direct commissioning option which is different than OCS. Like I said check it out.

I may be reading it differently from you, Sandbar, but I don't think he's looking to graduate from another maritime academy and go OCS, he wants to attend a college for 1 year and re-apply to USCGA.

downhiller2010 - If you don't get in on your first try, enroll in an accredited college and take "swab-level" courses (and pass them) to show the Admissiosn board that you can handle the academics of your 4/c year. YOu may also want to participate in club sports or intramural sports at the college as well, or continue your employment. Train for a higher score on the PFE, too.

Check with "shellz" here, as her son was denied an appointment was year and he did those exact things, and he'll be a part of the Class of 2013. :thumb:
 
Just understand Mass. Maritime is not a prep school. It is a 4 year, state funded maritime academy.
 
downhiller -
your "backup" plan depends on how you wish to proceed. What are your goals?
If you intend to apply again you should talk with an admissions rep who knows your application package and can tell you your strengths and weaknesses.

If you wish to "self-prep" I think you should look at the schools that the CGA uses - either MMI or NMMI. Last year 6 non-sponsored cadets who prepped at MMI won CGA appointments.

If you wish to pursue a CGA commission - that would be moving forward in possibly a different direction. I would then look at the Maritime academies - Mass. Maritime, Maine Maritime, SUNY Maritime etc...
JMHO.
 
Hey Downhiller....

I may be reading it differently from you, Sandbar, but I don't think he's looking to graduate from another maritime academy and go OCS, he wants to attend a college for 1 year and re-apply to USCGA.

downhiller2010 - If you don't get in on your first try, enroll in an accredited college and take "swab-level" courses (and pass them) to show the Admissiosn board that you can handle the academics of your 4/c year. YOu may also want to participate in club sports or intramural sports at the college as well, or continue your employment. Train for a higher score on the PFE, too.

Check with "shellz" here, as her son was denied an appointment was year and he did those exact things, and he'll be a part of the Class of 2013. :thumb:

Luigi is right. My son was denied last year. It was tough. He decided to attend the local CC and take Calc, Physics w/Lab, English Comp, Art History, and a conditioning class. He also tried a new sport, Crew, and did very well. His coach wrote him a nice letter of rec based on his performance and work ethic. He established a good relationship with his Math and English teachers, and they wrote letters as well. He sought a couple of extra personal letters of rec, and they were more about his character and volunteering. He continued to volunteer, and retook the SAT. Improving one hundred points, I believe, was looked upon favorably. Performing well in all of his classes, probably more important.
Good luck. Hope it all works out well for you. :smile:
 
I agree. The maritime academy options are not bad options either.
Lits is right I plan on self prepping and reapplying. If that fails again I would consider the maritime academies. How are the maritime academies thought of inside the cg as far as prestige versus the cga?
 
Coast Guard Back Up Plan

I wish you luck in the re-application process. Your question would generate many answers. My opinion is work hard at whatever institution you attend.
Understand there are many ways people become Officers in the United States Coast Guard or for that matter any of the other Services. The important thing to remember is that you will be evaluated and judged by your action's rather than by what institution you graduated from. Remember to work hard on your academics, develop your character, live by the honor code, and have the utmost integrity. If you do these things, you will be someone the Coast Guard will want as an officer.
 
Luckily I am a junior. I just made this post to help me generate plans a, b, and c
 
Visit/Explore All Options

As a junior you have time and are correct to look into many options. If you can vist the maritime schools, Mass, SUNY, Maine - we did and saw that the students were happy there. Look at USMMA and the other SA's also. Once you do that apply, it is a great feeling in April to have many choices. There is also ROTC. Work to get really good grades and SAT/ACT. Keep checking the boards for advice and support. Best of luck.

M
 
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