How can I improve my chances of getting into USCGA in 2011?

joek

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
31
Hi, I was just wondering what I could do to increase my chances of being accepted into the USCGA for the class of 2015...

Cumulative Weighted High School GPA: 4.5
SAT Math: 580
SAT Reading: 560
SAT Writing: 600
ACT Reading: 31
ACT Math: 30
ACT Science: 34
ACT English: 31
AP Chemistry Exam: 4
Currently Taking: Honors English IV, AP Calculus AB, Team Sports II, Honors Economics, Psychology, AP Government, Honors Physics, and Weight Training, and Dual Enrollment Social Justice
Varsity Track for 4 years
JV Cross Country for 3 years and Varsity Cross Country this year (Trying for Captain on Cross Country)
NHS
100+ Community Service Hours for every year in High School
3 years of Foreign Language (Spanish)
Top 15% of Senior Class (120 Students)
Aviation Club
Spanish Club
History Club
NOTE: I did not prepare for the SAT or ACT and am doing so right now. I will be taking both tests at least 2 more times.

Any advice on how I could improve my chances would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a great day. :thumb:
 
How are your recommendations coming? Even though you do not need Government Recommendations (Senate/HoR) you should still try and get one. My friend when applying last year had to acquire one because it was so competitive, and he was accepted. He had less of a GPA, less harder classes, and 18xx SAT, no ACT. Otherwise you are doing quite well.
 
Thank you so much. I had not even thought of that...I will absolutely take your advice, and I appreciate your swift response. Have a great day. :biggrin:
 
How are your recommendations coming? Even though you do not need Government Recommendations (Senate/HoR) you should still try and get one. My friend when applying last year had to acquire one because it was so competitive, and he was accepted.

Can we assume that by "Government Recommendations/Senate/HoR" you are referring to a nomination?

Nominations are not required, nor do they play a part in the USCGA admissions process.

There are no USCGA nomination to acquire, so I'm not sure what you mean when you say your friend "had to acquire one."

Recommending that someone "try and get one" will not help in the USCGA appointment process.

However, you are correct to state that admissions is, and will remain, very competitive. Class size for 2015 is rumored to be much smaller than 2014.

:cool:
 
So following the USCGA website info, and getting the evaluations from a math and english instructor, as well as a coach would be sufficient? Thanks to you too for your quick response. :biggrin:
 
You seemed to have done considerably better on ACT vs SAT.
I see your ACT comp=31.3=32 (32 is like a 2130 on the SAT on conversion charts) while your actual SAT is 1740.

32 is a really good score.

I have taken both and also find that I do better with ACT; therefore, I am sticking with taking ACT. I am probably not going to take the SAT again.

Do practice with practice tests before taking the real thing
 
Thanks a lot. :biggrin: I am doing practice tests and going through one of the Princeton Review books. I'll be taking the ACT again on October 23rd, which allows me to still be eligible for Early Action. I figured applying EA would give me an idea of how to improve if I am denied an appointment. I am registered to take the SAT again in early November which is too late for EA. Do you think applying EA would be a good course of action or should I wait for my SAT results? Thanks for your reply. :biggrin:
 
Joek,

Gosh, your academics look outstanding, as well as your ACT scores. My son did better on the SAT rather than the ACT, so he chose to put his study efforts primarily towards increasing his SAT score.

A great thing to get would be recommendations from sports coaches, teachers, etc. about your work ethic, attitude, and willingness to encourage others. Try to get others to write about you to give the admissions board an inside look of how you impacted others. Alot of kids applying will have the academics squared away like you do, so this is nice to have in addition to your essays.

Definitely apply EA! You can write a little note telling the board you are actively pursuing a higher score and it will be TBA ASAP. Keep in constant communication.
 
officer,
Thank you so much for your reply and your advice. I have seen a lot of your posts and it is nice to get the opinion of someone whose cadet achieved what I am currently pursuing. I will definately focus on the ACT and get letters from my teachers and coaches and I appreciate your time. Best to you and your cadet and keep your fingers crossed for me. :smile:
 
Don't forget the military/leadership recommendations

My recollection of the process is that letters of recommendation from active duty military officers (and/or retired) carry weight. You would want the emphasis of the recommendation to be focused on your leadership ability or experience. Any of these would be of benefit to your current package. Your academics and activities look pretty solid, now work on the character part and see if you can't an interview with your admission officer.

Argos
Proud Parent, USCGA Class of 2014
 
100+ Community Service Hours for every year in High School

Any advice on how I could improve my chances would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a great day. :thumb:

As far as letters of recommendation, you may wish to consider having someone from one of the organizations that you did community service write a letter of recommendation, documenting not so much the work you did but any leadership experiences you had while working at their facility. Did you have an opportunity to supervise a team of fellow student volunteers? Did you do any planning for the projects? That type of approach to the letter may offer some insight as to your leadership abilities.

I would only recommend a letter from a Member of Congress if you directly did some community volunteer project that was sponsored by the member's office, such as an inner city tutoring program.

I also recommend doing the optional interview with either an admissions officer or local admissions partner.

Best of luck on your application. We are all here to support you and the other applicants.
 
Thank you very much for your advice. I am working on getting my letters of recommendation now and will contact my admissions officer (Lieutenant Junior Grade Cosimo Cambi) very soon. One of my employers, who also happens to be one of the main people I did a lot of my community service for, served in the USAF flying fighter jets and I am planning on getting a letter of recommendation from him. Thanks again for your support and give my best to your cadet. :thumb:
 
Can we assume that by "Government Recommendations/Senate/HoR" you are referring to a nomination?

Nominations are not required, nor do they play a part in the USCGA admissions process.

There are no USCGA nomination to acquire, so I'm not sure what you mean when you say your friend "had to acquire one."

Recommending that someone "try and get one" will not help in the USCGA appointment process.

However, you are correct to state that admissions is, and will remain, very competitive. Class size for 2015 is rumored to be much smaller than 2014.

:cool:

No, nominations werent required, but it was so competitive that he had to get a recommendation to try and get ahead of everyone else. Like for me, I can get Newt Gingrich's recommendation if I REALLY needed it. (He's a friend of my grandmother)
 
No, nominations werent required, but it was so competitive that he had to get a recommendation to try and get ahead of everyone else. Like for me, I can get Newt Gingrich's recommendation if I REALLY needed it. (He's a friend of my grandmother)

Cool, ask him if he's going to run for President next election .
 
Recommendations are key in your application but also remember to "Be yourself!" Explain in your essays WHY you want this opportunity...and to be part of the Class of 2015. Best Wishes during this process and remember to enjoy your senior year in HS!! :wink:
 
Thank you very much for your reply. Have a great day. :shake:
 
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