Scheduling a Fall Visit

gbland7424

2015 Candidate Parent
5-Year Member
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
10
My son has a very high interest in attending the USCGA beginning in Summer 2011. He is on target to apply this fall and would like plan a visit during September. I am curious if anyone has recommendations on how do get this scheduled. He has left messages for his admissions officer but thus far has not gotten a reply. During this visit he would like to shadow for a day (Friday) if possible and meet the Basketball Coaching staff or a member of as he plans on playing if he is selected as a Cadet.

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.


Thanks
 
Did he apply for AIM? Most AIM applicants (who were deemed "qualified" but not selected) will be offered a "Cadet for A Day" visit in the fall.

"Cadet For A Day" (ie Beansprout) visits are usually by invitation only.

That's not to say that he cannot contact his AO and ask to schedule one, but one cannot simply show up on a Friday and expect to secure a spot.

The Admissions Office holds admissions briefings every Monday and Friday in Waesche Hall (downstairs from the museum and library).

Has he registered on the USCGA web site?

Has he filled out a Recruit Questionnaire form yet?

Have they asked him to send any game film yet?

If you think your son will be a recruited player then the coach may be the way to go.

Otherwise, send another email / leave another message with your Admissions Officer expressing interest in a visit, they will contact you in turn, they may be a lot busier than you think.
 
He should really make an effort to attend one of the STEM days that are held during the fall. The information regarding these full day workshops is available on his candidate screen after he logs in.
As Luigi stated, if he was deemed a qualified applicant, but was not selected for AIM, he will be offered an opportunity to do an overnight at the Academy in the fall, early winter time frame.
 
Thanks for the detailed replies. Let me first say that he did not apply for AIM. He was contacted by the Basketball Coaching Staff and has expressed a true interest to attend the Academy since this contact. He is registered on the web site and has filled out all necessary paper work and is waiting for the official application which will come out sometime early fall. My wife has a cousin who has gone thru the academy and spent the better part of 25 years in the Coast Guard.

My son has talked with him and has made USCGA his number one choice. He has game film into the coaching staff and has turned down a couple of D II opportunities as he feels that the opportunity to attend the Academy is exactly what he wants.

I realize that you can not "just show up" thus this is why we would like to schedule something with his admissions officer. I understand how busy everyone is and we are just looking for an additional information. Thanks for you replies as this site is a great resource.
 
Seriously encourage him to attend a STEM workshop day. Last year they were held on a Friday, I believe one was in October. It's a great opportunity for both candidate and parent to get a feel for CGA. Candidates are able to go to classes with a 4/c, talk to sports coaches, eat lunch with their 4/c in the wardroom and take part in a mini-lab (last year they built LED flashlights). It's a full day, but a great way for any candidate to see that CGA is committed providing a solid and challenging curriculum in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math majors :thumb:
 
I would also suggest calling a nearby Coast Guard Station and asking for a visit. Not only will you find it interesting, it would be nice to mention it during the applacation interview. Is there a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet program in your area? Joining would give you a little taste of naval jargon, tradition, and military procedures and would also look good on an applacation to the academy. Going beyond the ususal paperwork to show your deep interest and commitment may help your applacation stand out from the pack.
 
He was contacted by the Basketball Coaching Staff and has expressed a true interest to attend the Academy since this contact.

...He has game film into the coaching staff and has turned down a couple of D II opportunities....

In that case, it sounds as if he will be a recruited athlete. You will probably need to request a visit through the coach.
 
Yes there are specific NCAA rules about a recruited athlete making a visit. I would email or call the coach. Good luck!:thumb:
 
If you are unable to visit the Academy with the shadow program, there is always tours every now and then. Call the Cadet Watch Office some time closer to when you would like to visit, and a tour can usually be arranged. Although you do not get to follow any 4/c around, you do get to see the campus and buildings, as well as have questions answered by an upperclass cadet about cadet life.
 
Our son applied to AIM and was invited to attend their fall cadet for a day program. We live on west coast and it would be a pretty expensive endeavor to attend. He attended both Navy and AF summer seminars and knows academy life and being an officer is the path for him. He's very interested in CGA. My question is...Is the Cadet for a Day program more for him to experience CGA or is it a way for them to interview and assess our son?
 
If this is the same as "Beansprouting", it gives him a good taste of CGA and lets him hang out with a real cadet. Also, the cadets will really appreciate him being there.

If this isn't "Beansprouting", then I have no idea. :biggrin:
 
My question is...Is the Cadet for a Day program more for him to experience CGA or is it a way for them to interview and assess our son?

It can be a little of both. Although a report may be submitted by the Cadet he follows, and an admissions interview may be scheduled with an Admissions Officer, the visit is primarily to "sell the academy to the candidate" rather than the other way around. :thumb:

If this is the same as "Beansprouting", it gives him a good taste of CGA and lets him hang out with a real cadet. Also, the cadets will really appreciate him being there.

If this isn't "Beansprouting", then I have no idea. :biggrin:

Yes, it is the same, but admissions no longer uses that moniker.
 
When do they come out with the dates for Cadet for a Day program? My son also was invited and we would like to plan it around a weekend his brother has a CGA Waterpolo game.
 
He should regularly review his USCGA application site.
There is a calendar of events and many of the opportunities that are offered to prospective swabs can be signed up for online.
 
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