I know it is difficult to answer but what are the average qualifications for those that do not get accepted to the academy but get accepted to the CGAS program to a prep school? and how do I let the academy know I am interested in their prep program.
CGAS
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Good question! I'm not sure what the answer is and my daughter went to MMI under the CGAS program last year (best thing they ever could have done for her because she is doing well and LOVING it at USCGA this year and she is only a 4th year!) I think it is different depending on the candidate. My D had OK SAT & ACT scores: her best were SAT: 610 Math, 650 Reading, ACT: 29 Composite, English 29, Math 28. Nothing spectacular, but OK (she has my permission to share this 
) She had a sort of low PFE - don't have that on file, but I remember it wasn't great. She was 17. She had alot of Sea Cadet experience. She didn't have an interview. She didn't take Physics in high school.
My guess is they saw someone with potential but who needed a little more work to polish her into a successful candidate. I know it was a hard decision for her to make last year, but one that she doesn't regret now. She made some great friends last year - cadets at CGA and at all the other service academies too! Some of those friendships may last her lifetime!
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how Objee weighs in on this one since it was a question we often asked ourselves, but never with regret!
) She had a sort of low PFE - don't have that on file, but I remember it wasn't great. She was 17. She had alot of Sea Cadet experience. She didn't have an interview. She didn't take Physics in high school. My guess is they saw someone with potential but who needed a little more work to polish her into a successful candidate. I know it was a hard decision for her to make last year, but one that she doesn't regret now. She made some great friends last year - cadets at CGA and at all the other service academies too! Some of those friendships may last her lifetime!
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how Objee weighs in on this one since it was a question we often asked ourselves, but never with regret!
ASK for consideration to the Prep program
Hello,
If you feel that your grades are boarder line for acceptance and you truly want to attend the Academy, then I would highly recommend you write a letter requesting consideration for the Prep program. My son not only wrote a letter, but weaved this Prep request into one of his submission essays. Remember – you are marketing yourself, so it’s best to let the admissions officers know that you are willing to go "Prep" and reach your end goal.
Most Preps will agree it is a year well spent!
Hello,
If you feel that your grades are boarder line for acceptance and you truly want to attend the Academy, then I would highly recommend you write a letter requesting consideration for the Prep program. My son not only wrote a letter, but weaved this Prep request into one of his submission essays. Remember – you are marketing yourself, so it’s best to let the admissions officers know that you are willing to go "Prep" and reach your end goal.
Most Preps will agree it is a year well spent!
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While at "R" Day for the USCGA Scholars we heard of how they got to the magic number of the Prepsters... the kids for the scholar's program get chosen... this year (the class of 2014) there were 57 or 58 CGAS. The application choices were put in a pile.. dropping the number to 1000 qualified for CGAS, then down to 600, then down to 100 then down to the 60..... They look for leadership skills and diversity in the Scholars.. Getting into the CGAS program is a BONUS... it's not a "you didn't get a direct appointment", it is a "We want you, you have what it takes, but let's tweak it, and make you a better Cadet, and a leader next year"
The prepsters are reserve Coasties on Active duty, and their time at the prep school goes towards their future career in the USCG! That is a bonus too!
Remember in June when these kid show up at the CGA they will have a year of experience... a year of experience in prepping their uniforms, polishing shoes, folding socks, folding underwear, ironing their uniforms, saluting, wearing a cover, marching, squaring corners, homework, time management, doing their own laundry, cleaning the head, cleaning rooms, making beds... etc etc.. these 50-60 prepsters will be mentors to their fellow shipmates that just come straight from their homes.. the Prepsters will be the ones that step up and help their shipmates learn, ... THIS IS WHY THE Academies do the Prep program.
JC was a AIM grad, her HS gpa was 3.76, her SAT/ACT scores were not so good, her PFE was 180 (I think), she had hundreds of volunteer hours, she was a year round athlete and was both team capt and varisty and JV...
Obviously the CGA saw something in her.. She is at NMMI now.. she is doing well, but can't wait for "R" Day 2010!
The prepsters are reserve Coasties on Active duty, and their time at the prep school goes towards their future career in the USCG! That is a bonus too!
Remember in June when these kid show up at the CGA they will have a year of experience... a year of experience in prepping their uniforms, polishing shoes, folding socks, folding underwear, ironing their uniforms, saluting, wearing a cover, marching, squaring corners, homework, time management, doing their own laundry, cleaning the head, cleaning rooms, making beds... etc etc.. these 50-60 prepsters will be mentors to their fellow shipmates that just come straight from their homes.. the Prepsters will be the ones that step up and help their shipmates learn, ... THIS IS WHY THE Academies do the Prep program.
JC was a AIM grad, her HS gpa was 3.76, her SAT/ACT scores were not so good, her PFE was 180 (I think), she had hundreds of volunteer hours, she was a year round athlete and was both team capt and varisty and JV...
Obviously the CGA saw something in her.. She is at NMMI now.. she is doing well, but can't wait for "R" Day 2010!
Luigi59
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CGA Scholars candidates are usually missing something in their academic record or performance that the academy feels they needed to succeed in their 4th class academic year. They have the leadership, the character, and the desire to succeed, but the admissions department wants a little bit more academic instruction for them to ensure they do well.
(In many cases, the only "thing" that is missing is exposure to a calculus class).
In no way are they considered "less than capable" when they show up on R-Day: on the contrary, when they arrived for R-Day they are usually better prepared than the kid right out of high school.
CGA Scholars is a great program, allowing the candidate/appointee to prepare for a year, knowing that by successfully completing the prep school will lead to a guaranteed appointment the following summer.
(In many cases, the only "thing" that is missing is exposure to a calculus class).
In no way are they considered "less than capable" when they show up on R-Day: on the contrary, when they arrived for R-Day they are usually better prepared than the kid right out of high school.
CGA Scholars is a great program, allowing the candidate/appointee to prepare for a year, knowing that by successfully completing the prep school will lead to a guaranteed appointment the following summer.
Luigi59 and J Collins,
When do you suggest the best time is to write the letter informing admissions about my interest in CGAS? My application is complete and I will be attending cadet-for-a day in 2 weeks. should i let them know then? thank you.
When do you suggest the best time is to write the letter informing admissions about my interest in CGAS? My application is complete and I will be attending cadet-for-a day in 2 weeks. should i let them know then? thank you.
Luigi59
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