Pros to applying early?
- Thread starter Mere2033
- Start date
- Early Action vs Regular Admission
- Pros:
- Will be accepted just before Xmas.
- Cons:
- Will be rejected just before Xmas.
- Miss one semester of grades.
- Miss the ACT of Oct 22, 2016 and Dec 10, 2017.
- Miss the SAT of Nov 5, Dec 3, 2016 and Jan 21, 2017.
- No rollover to regular admissions.
- Pros:
What I learned at CFAD via cadets I spoke to is that the early action applications are often the most competitive. I applied early action, therefore my file will be compared to all the other candidates who applied early action. If I don't get an appointment or a prep school spot, they're done with my file and I have to try again next year for an appointment.
I spoke to a 3/c who applied early action and got turned down for an appointment but went to prep school, she told me that if she had applied regular action she probably would have gotten an appointment on the first try because she knows several other candidates with a similar application as hers that got an appointment on the first try - but they didn't apply early action like she did, they applied regular action.
I could be wrong and I'm sure someone will correct me if any of this info is incorrect, but the above is what I've come to understand as someone who went through/is going through the USCGA early action application.
I spoke to a 3/c who applied early action and got turned down for an appointment but went to prep school, she told me that if she had applied regular action she probably would have gotten an appointment on the first try because she knows several other candidates with a similar application as hers that got an appointment on the first try - but they didn't apply early action like she did, they applied regular action.
I could be wrong and I'm sure someone will correct me if any of this info is incorrect, but the above is what I've come to understand as someone who went through/is going through the USCGA early action application.
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The other thing to consider is that a good percentage of all available appointments are given out during EA. (i.e., few slots available during RA). I always tell people that it is a decision only you can make. If you think you have a really strong application, strong test scores, etc, go ahead and apply EA. If you need an additional test date or two to try and bring your score up, it's better to get those tests done and go for RA.
And let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with an offer to Prep School! All too often, people think of it as "second best" or something similar. A Prep School offer is a gift! It may not seem so to a high school student, but the extra year of high level math really prepares those kids for freshman year at the Academy. In most cases, the Prep School students to well academically that first year when many of their classmates are struggling. Just something to consider.
And let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with an offer to Prep School! All too often, people think of it as "second best" or something similar. A Prep School offer is a gift! It may not seem so to a high school student, but the extra year of high level math really prepares those kids for freshman year at the Academy. In most cases, the Prep School students to well academically that first year when many of their classmates are struggling. Just something to consider.
Thanks for all of the great responses. My DD's application is competitive except her test scores are just a little below average so we thought better to take the test again. We just didn't want to see all of the spots get taken since there's only about 300.
She would be very happy with prep school. The extra year is definitely an advantage.
She would be very happy with prep school. The extra year is definitely an advantage.
What Grevar said. We both attended the Admissions Partner meeting a couple weeks ago. About half or a bit more of the appointments are given to EA applicants, varying a little each year. There are a very, very few that might, I say again, might, go to the wait list. And the wait lists will be shorter in the coming years.
As for prep school, it is great. My son is a Firstie, and he went to prep. His prep class has stayed pretty close. But I noticed especially that the Cadet Regimental Staff for both last summer and this fall had an out sized proportion of prepsters in it. Something like 30 or 40% of the staff were in that CGAS class, when they make up only 10-20% of the Class of 2017. That includes the present Cadet Regimental Commander. So there...
As for prep school, it is great. My son is a Firstie, and he went to prep. His prep class has stayed pretty close. But I noticed especially that the Cadet Regimental Staff for both last summer and this fall had an out sized proportion of prepsters in it. Something like 30 or 40% of the staff were in that CGAS class, when they make up only 10-20% of the Class of 2017. That includes the present Cadet Regimental Commander. So there...
This is what my DD is struggling with. She actually would like to go to Prep first because of the reasoned you've stated. She was invited to Genesis and will attend in Nov. She has a 4.06 GPA and attended girls state. Is student body president and plays varsity basketball and softball. Her problem is she scores an 1170 on the new SAT which is below average. I think she's a strong candidate for prep but she's afraid to do EA and get turned down because of her SAT. She's re-taking them oct. 1. So she's not sure which direction to go.
Take ACT as well. DD did poorly on SAT and hit the ACT for a 33. So there...
Cidgrad130
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The ACT is artificially more difficult for some students because of the pace of the exam - so at least your DD recognizes that about herself and can focus on improving the SAT.
As to EA vs RA, don't forget to engage with your Admissions Officer. Our DS had a discussion about the pros and cons of EA with his Admissions Officer and decided it was the best route for him. I think you will probably get good advice about how you should proceed.
As to EA vs RA, don't forget to engage with your Admissions Officer. Our DS had a discussion about the pros and cons of EA with his Admissions Officer and decided it was the best route for him. I think you will probably get good advice about how you should proceed.
Don't forget that the application is more than just academics. Good life experience, great PFE score, sports etc. can all change where an applicant ends up. As for early application, the forum has stories from both sides debating the benefit of one over the other so there is no way to predict. Your DD should apply when she feels her application will represent her the strongest. My DS did EA last year, was put on waitlist in December and ended up not getting TWE until June. It was a long 6+ months of waiting for the undesired result. One of the benefits of RA, is the wait is shorter. Last year both EA and RA could end up on waitlist. Some EA on waitlist ended up accepted during RA. A prep school offer for one was converted to an appointment. At end of day, admissions needs to fill the slots based on variety of needs and this may be the year your DD brings something unique to the admissions table that meets a need and gets an appointment because of that. Good luck.
I do believe CGA really looks at the whole candidate when it comes to admissions. Our son was on the fence about applying EA last year. He had great grades, leadership, and athletic credentials but sub 30 ACT scores. He did end up applying EA and received an appt in early Nov. We were very surprised. He ended up declining for another academy and it was extremely tough choice for him. I realize he is only 1 data point but it shows that test scores, although very important, are not everything in a given application.
Her desire to go to prep first is no reason to wait for regular admission. My DD applied EA 2 (There were two staggered EA deadlines a month apart. I don't know if they still do this.) She received her CGAS offer by the EA2 deadline. She wasn't waitlisted for anything.
Teragram
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My DD did not receive a letter but did receive an email from her Admissions Officer asking her to forward some items no later than Thursday and said that it will be beneficial for some applicants to meet that deadline. Very cryptic but she sent what he requested. Anyone else get an email?
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jbnll
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yes, ds got that email after AIM-- he submitted the info, but haven't heard anything since.
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I got that email too
Hoping2021
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Those of you saying that you got an email from your AO, what kind of information were you asked for? Were they generic, or were they in-depth questions?
Teragram
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He was asking for transcripts and test scores as well as participation in sports, extracurricular activities and leadership. He wanted to know why she wanted to attend CGA and if it was her first choice. He said that some of the information submitted was not accessible to him yet because it was being inputted into whatever system they use, but he wanted to get to know her before applications are reviewed. It also said if she was not applying EA then to disregard the email. Was everyone's similar to this?
jbnll
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Yes, same sort of thing