After accepting appointment

After you accept in the portal, you’ll get a packet with some paperwork (to officially accept) and you send it back along with your original birth certificate and social security card.

After that, you wait for the official 2028 paperwork to become available on the website. You can see the paperwork for 2027 for reference. It doesn’t change much.

After that, its paperwork and working the checklist!

Stay/get in shape, don’t get hurt or in any trouble, finish HS strong, enjoy time with your friends and family!

Here’s the 2027 portal for reference. In my opinion it’s a good idea for appointees and parents to click through and get familiarized.
Last year, it was very late before the portal was updated for 2027. The deadline for paperwork completed and returned is June 1 and it was a relatively small (but manageable if you were proactive) window. In fact, I think they ended up extending the deadline to June 15 or something like that.

uscga.edu

Class of 2028 - United States Coast Guard Academy

Welcome to the Corps of Cadets! Congratulations on accepting your appointment and welcome to the Corps of Cadets! These pages contain the information you need to prepare to report to the Coast Guard Academy on Day One. Our goal is to help you and your parents make a smooth transition to college...
uscga.edu uscga.edu
 
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Agree with what @27BearDad said for preparation. There is also a FB group for incoming 2028 cadets you will be invited to join and a FB group for 2028 parents.

If you haven't visited CGA and want to, you might still have a chance for an overnight visit.
Day 1 this year is scheduled for 1 July. There are activities the weekend before.
Swab summer is 7 weeks.
At the end of swab summer, you will earn your shoulderboards and become a 4/c cadet.
There is no leave between swab summer and CAP processing week (19-23 August) . This is the week you talk with your academic advisor about your validation test results and your class schedule, get books, etc...
Then classes start 26 August.
 
There are a LOT of threads on this topic around here, including several from this spring. Read a bunch of them as they all emphasize different aspects of the coming few months. But first take a little time to congratulate yourself on a great high school career, really appreciate the effort you put in and pause to savor your accomplishments, and then go enjoy the rest of senior year. Also, don't do stupid things, and stay healthy, and don't let your grades collapse.

Here are some threads I found scrolling through this forum:

You're Accepted - What now? (this is a very comprehensive one from a few years ago.)
I day 2024 for class of 2028
What happens next?
R-Day question
Questions on required items list
Computers for incoming 4C students?
Swab summer schedule 2022

This was mentioned in one of those threads above, but one thing we found helpful were the videos Erin Edwards made regarding CGA life. (It looks like she got married, search for ErinandNolan on Youtube and then dig back a couple years for her Coast Guard videos.)
 
27BearDad said:
After you accept in the portal, you’ll get a packet with some paperwork (to officially accept) and you send it back along with your original birth certificate and social security card.

After that, you wait for the official 2028 paperwork to become available on the website. You can see the paperwork for 2027 for reference. It doesn’t change much.

After that, its paperwork and working the checklist!

Stay/get in shape, don’t get hurt or in any trouble, finish HS strong, enjoy time with your friends and family!

Here’s the 2027 portal for reference. In my opinion it’s a good idea for appointees and parents to click through and get familiarized.
Last year, it was very late before the portal was updated for 2027. The deadline for paperwork completed and returned is June 1 and it was a relatively small (but manageable if you were proactive) window. In fact, I think they ended up extending the deadline to June 15 or something like that.

uscga.edu

Class of 2028 - United States Coast Guard Academy

Welcome to the Corps of Cadets! Congratulations on accepting your appointment and welcome to the Corps of Cadets! These pages contain the information you need to prepare to report to the Coast Guard Academy on Day One. Our goal is to help you and your parents make a smooth transition to college...
uscga.edu uscga.edu
Click to expand...
Any idea when this page might come out for class of 2028? it looks like some of those dates, like AEP, were happening this time last year.
 
Texas_Pirate2024 said:
Any idea when this page might come out for class of 2028? it looks like some of those dates, like AEP, were happening this time last year.
Click to expand...
All I can say is last year it didn't go live for 2027 until the first week of May. I'm not sure if that's normal, but it felt awfully late considering everything was supposed to be completed and returned by June 1.

It's good you are being proactive and catching things such as this. In our experience last year, there wasn't really any communication at all. Outside of the acceptance packet, it was just a matter of waiting all spring until the 2027 portal opened. And when it did, there was no email notification or anything... it just happened.

That said, it's very important for appointees to get on the Class of 2028 Facebook page and for parents to join the respective 2028 parents page as well as the general Parents Association page. Even if you aren't a Facebook user, it's worth creating an account just for these pages. We all helped each other out and shared any scrap of info we managed to collect. Inevitably there's a parent who has another kid there who can help provide insight on certain things which is also a big help.

My advice to you would be to remained joined at the hip with your AO (hopefully you have one who is very responsive) and ask about anything that may be very near on the horizon. The AEP is a good one to maybe ask about. I do not see any 2024 dates listed on the academy website anywhere, so maybe that's not going to be a thing this year, but definitely worth checking. Another example is the Appointment Presentation Request if want to try to have a representative come you your school and do a formal appointment presentation (which is very cool btw). I think that request link changed to the new class earlier than May, but it takes forever to get that scheduled, and the school year is quickly disappearing. You could probably just use the 2027 form to get the ball rolling on that, but it would be worth checking with the AO.

Lastly, keep in mind while many things at the academy are very consistent, this will be the first admissions cycle with a new Superintendent, and some new folks on the admissions staff, so there could possibly be some changes this year. I'm no authority by any means, but it's a possibility.
 
Now is also the time to get a passport if you don't have one already. It's on the required documents list. I believe the time to get a passport has improved lately, but still something you want to do as early as possible.
 
Dept of State is currently saying 6-8 weeks for normal processing for passport applications. You can pay extra to expedite and cut that down to 2-3 weeks.

But, you don't want to cut it too close. They could reject the application for not having the right documents, picture not meeting requirements, etc.

Edit to add: mailing time is NOT included in the processing time. Allow 4 weeks (2 at each end) for mailing. Probably won't take that long, but it can. Added to processing time and you should allow 12 weeks to get your passport.

I-day is in 16 weeks. You'll blink and that day will be here.
 
Memorize the Coast Guard Creed!

I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman.

I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world.

I never, by word or deed, will bring reproach upon the fair name of my service, nor permit others to do so unchallenged.

I will cheerfully and willingly obey all lawful orders.

I will always be on time to relieve, and shall endeavor to do more, rather than less, than my share.

I will always be at my station, alert and attending to my duties.

I shall, so far as I am able, bring to my seniors solutions, not problems.

I shall live joyously, but always with due regard for the rights and privileges of others.

I shall endeavor to be a model citizen in the community in which I live.

I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country, but give it freely to rescue those in peril.

With God’s help, I shall endeavor to be one of His noblest Works...

A UNITED STATES COAST GUARDSMAN.
 
My other suggestion is if you can find a copy of the Coast Guard Academy Running Lights, review that! Swabs will be issued a copy which they are required to carry in their socks (which is why another thread I posted on states the importance of socks!)

Notes from C/O 27 parent on packing list & SS packages​

 
TriMom64 said:
Memorize the Coast Guard Creed!

I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman.

I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world.

I never, by word or deed, will bring reproach upon the fair name of my service, nor permit others to do so unchallenged.

I will cheerfully and willingly obey all lawful orders.

I will always be on time to relieve, and shall endeavor to do more, rather than less, than my share.

I will always be at my station, alert and attending to my duties.

I shall, so far as I am able, bring to my seniors solutions, not problems.

I shall live joyously, but always with due regard for the rights and privileges of others.

I shall endeavor to be a model citizen in the community in which I live.

I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country, but give it freely to rescue those in peril.

With God’s help, I shall endeavor to be one of His noblest Works...

A UNITED STATES COAST GUARDSMAN.
Click to expand...
It’s funny, my 4/c said they never even had to learn the creed this year. Just the Ethos and the Mission (and of course, a million other things in the Running Light). 🤷🏻
 
27BearDad said:
All I can say is last year it didn't go live for 2027 until the first week of May. I'm not sure if that's normal, but it felt awfully late considering everything was supposed to be completed and returned by June 1.

It's good you are being proactive and catching things such as this. In our experience last year, there wasn't really any communication at all. Outside of the acceptance packet, it was just a matter of waiting all spring until the 2027 portal opened. And when it did, there was no email notification or anything... it just happened.

That said, it's very important for appointees to get on the Class of 2028 Facebook page and for parents to join the respective 2028 parents page as well as the general Parents Association page. Even if you aren't a Facebook user, it's worth creating an account just for these pages. We all helped each other out and shared any scrap of info we managed to collect. Inevitably there's a parent who has another kid there who can help provide insight on certain things which is also a big help.

My advice to you would be to remained joined at the hip with your AO (hopefully you have one who is very responsive) and ask about anything that may be very near on the horizon. The AEP is a good one to maybe ask about. I do not see any 2024 dates listed on the academy website anywhere, so maybe that's not going to be a thing this year, but definitely worth checking. Another example is the Appointment Presentation Request if want to try to have a representative come you your school and do a formal appointment presentation (which is very cool btw). I think that request link changed to the new class earlier than May, but it takes forever to get that scheduled, and the school year is quickly disappearing. You could probably just use the 2027 form to get the ball rolling on that, but it would be worth checking with the AO.

Lastly, keep in mind while many things at the academy are very consistent, this will be the first admissions cycle with a new Superintendent, and some new folks on the admissions staff, so there could possibly be some changes this year. I'm no authority by any means, but it's a possibility.
Click to expand...
Our school is asking what the presentation entails? The form says they usually do it at an awards ceremony at the school and the only thing we have is the Honors Convocation which is really for all the students. Did you child have this done and can you tell me how long it is or what they do? Can't get any responses and have emailed and called. Thanks!
 
slavatka said:
Our school is asking what the presentation entails? The form says they usually do it at an awards ceremony at the school and the only thing we have is the Honors Convocation which is really for all the students. Did you child have this done and can you tell me how long it is or what they do? Can't get any responses and have emailed and called. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Most often this presentation is done during the Senior Awards night since most schools have a designated time for senior awards and scholarships to be presented. For the presentation someone representing the Academy (could be someone from CGA but will likely be an Admissions Partner) will come to the ceremony. There is a standard script (less than one page) they will read which basically describes what time at CGA includes and what the "value" of the education is. Often, if your child has already received the nice certificate in the mail, they will be asked to bring that. The presenter will meet with them before hand to get that document and will present it again during the ceremony just so there is something to hand to the student. If they don't have it, then they will just read the presentation and will shake their hand and pose for a picture. I usually print out an extra copy of the document that is read so that the student has that as well if they want a copy.
 
ProudMom7 said:
Most often this presentation is done during the Senior Awards night since most schools have a designated time for senior awards and scholarships to be presented. For the presentation someone representing the Academy (could be someone from CGA but will likely be an Admissions Partner) will come to the ceremony. There is a standard script (less than one page) they will read which basically describes what time at CGA includes and what the "value" of the education is. Often, if your child has already received the nice certificate in the mail, they will be asked to bring that. The presenter will meet with them before hand to get that document and will present it again during the ceremony just so there is something to hand to the student. If they don't have it, then they will just read the presentation and will shake their hand and pose for a picture. I usually print out an extra copy of the document that is read so that the student has that as well if they want a copy.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
slavatka said:
Our school is asking what the presentation entails? The form says they usually do it at an awards ceremony at the school and the only thing we have is the Honors Convocation which is really for all the students. Did you child have this done and can you tell me how long it is or what they do? Can't get any responses and have emailed and called. Thanks!
Click to expand...
@ProudMom7 explained it perfectly. Regarding the communication piece, that's the hard part. I'd suggest routine follow up with both the contact on the form as well as the AO. I'd also recommend it's your appointee doing the asking. Certain people take offense, if you will, about parents being involved. The only way we found anything out last year was we happened to randomly meet an Admissions Partner for our area at an out of town rowing regatta! He had a CGA tent set up! Anyway, we got to talking and among many other things, he was aware of them trying to schedule this presentation for my daughter. After that, he kept in close contact with me and it turns out he did the presentation himself and it was really nice. It was frustrating because prior to meeting him, while apparently it was in the works, time was ticking, the school was getting antsy and we weren't getting any feedback or follow up.
 
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