Chances for appointment? Should I even bother?

nolanh08

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
9
Hello Everyone!

I was wondering if any one of you would be kind enough to provide feedback on my chances of being admitted to the Coast Guard Academy. It is my number one choice as of now, and I am eager to find out if I have a chance.

Rising Senior
From Raleigh, North Carolina

4.23 GPA
Top 25% of class at small, competitive, Christian school
28 ACT Composite..taking again, pretty sure I can get a 30 next time

Junior Year Core Classes:
AP English Language
AP Environmental Science
AP Computer Science
Algebra II
Honors US History

Senior Year Core Classes:
Honors Pre-Calc
AP US History
AP English Literature
Sociology
Web Design

Community Service:
Founded a certified non-profit organization that sends letters of encouragement to inmates across North Carolina. Several volunteers and I have sent over 1000 so far and the organization was featured on the front page of the regional newspaper.
Have volunteered for 3-4 at Church ministry that prepares lunches for homeless in Raleigh.

Extra-Curriculars:
Varsity Football(3 yrs). National Beta Club. Recruited Athlete -- visited CGA's campus and met with several coaches. Said they would inform admissions that I am being recruited...not sure if this plays much of a role in the admissions decision

I plan to visit campus again to interview with admissions.

Thank you very much!
 
I generally make a practice of not responding to "how am I" posts, but I'll make an exception here and there.

It's a generally solid start. I won't hit the things you're already doing. You've talked about bettering your ACT, which is a good idea (anytime there's room for improvement, it's a good idea to try).... but have you considered also take the SAT?

The biggest issue I see here is a general lack of science and math, and specifically advanced science and math classes. This isn't only a concern during the application process, but also when considering the classes CGA will throw at you. I took AP Calc my senior year, and I still really did not enjoy Calc II at CGA (nor was a huge fan of multivariable calc). Have you already taken science classes like AP Physics or AP Chemisty (or other math-heavy sciences)?

Those are just my observations; just suggestions on areas to make an application more competitive, especially as academies focus on STEM majors.
 
I completely agree. I would say this biggest hole in my application right now is a lack of advanced science/math.

I am planning to major in management or government if I am appointed. Will this make a difference? In other words, will the reviewers of my application consider that I am not majoring in a math heavy major and therefore will not need to have prepared rigorously for it in high school?

I hope I made that question clear enough.
 
No. Your core courses at CGA that you, and all of your classmates will take, will still include sciences and math. Chemisty, introduction to electrical engineering, static design, physics, probability and statistics, and various forms of calculous, will be required courses.

Once you depart those required course, there are still different kinds of math or sciences that you will be required to take as a government or management major. While your Marine and Environmental Science major classmates take marine biology and meteorology, you'll take a hybrid of the two called oceanography.

The other thing you want to consider is, before even thinking about classes at CGA, is your package on par or better than everyone else applying? It won't matter which math classes you take at CGA, if everyone applying took AP Calc BC and your top math (hypothetically) is pre-calc/trig. If there are 10 spots, and 11 applicants, and 10 of the 11 have taken AP Calc and somone else has only talk algebra... I'm sure we can guess the likely odd-man out. If you're competing with very impressive students, your courseload and activities have to be just as impressive.
 
A few suggestions...

Just stuff we learned from a close, but, didn't make for this class applicant's family.

Work with your admissions counselor, call or email every few weeks. Make sure they know you well.

Work with the football coach, send him a video of a game or two, have your coach send a letter, etc. If they want you that can be a big help.

Even if you didn't make the cut for the CGA, they also look for people (especially the ones the coaches want) for the Scholars program. This is for those recruits who might be a bit weak on academics who need a year at prep school. You attend the prep school and are guaranteed a spot if you get a certain GPA and don't screw up.

Good luck,

Howard
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone.

There's really not too much I can do about the math courses. I'll just have to keep working hard in the classes I am taking and hope for the best.

The Scholars program does intrigue me, and I would definitely be interested in doing it
 
Of course you should apply. All they can say is no. Sometimes that means "not this year". Sometimes it means no. Sometimes it means CGA Scholars. That is not a separate program you apply for. If you attract the attention of the Admissions Board, but they think you need extra academic preparation, they will offer this.
 
Like many others have said.. One way you can guarantee you won't get accepted is to not apply.

Good luck!
 
Since you are going into your senior year, there isn't a ton more you can do to boost the science and math. Maybe switch out Web Design for Physics 2?

May I add another piece of advice? Make sure to do Cadet for Day. I believe it was VERY beneficial for my DD. She had spoken with the coach several times and was already told she was a recruited athlete. She then went to CFAD and later heard the coach was pleased she had done so because it was very helpful for him. Did he become more invested in her at that point? Who knows. But she did get an offer to CGAS and is now a Swab.

DD was also told that after CFAD that the cadets she was with were asked about her, so there are more possibilities for good (or bad) feedback. Further, you can request an interview with your admissions adviser.

No matter the candidate, demonstrating your interest will always boost your profile a little more, and CFAD shows serious interest. (Plus, it is good for you to see if it is everything you expect it to be.) I have been told that slots for CFAD fill up fast, so find out when you can sign up and do it early!

Lastly, if you interested in the Scholars program, let that be known to several people.

Best of luck to you!

Nicole
 
You may already know this, but you don't apply to the Scholars Program. It's offered to you. Nothing wrong with letting people know that, if it was offered, you'd accept.

And as others have said, if you want to go to CGA, you HAVE to apply. In the grand scheme of things, it's relatively small effort (applying) for such a big decision.

Good luck! :thumb:
 
anyone else?

If there is anyone else, they will likely respond when they see it. Sometimes it just takes a little time. Is there something you'd like to hear or were hoping to hear? We've hit on the strong and weak points (don't worry, many applicants have stronger and weaker aspects of their applications, it's relative).
 
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