Coast Guard Academy Competitiveness?

Hello everyone
For those of you who have more knowledge about the Coast Guard Academy Admission or just the Service Academies admission in general, I was wondering if you could help me improve my application competitiveness. Any insight is very much appreciated!

Incoming Junior
I am a girl/asian (if that helps?)

GPA: 4.0

Varsity Swim, 2 Varsity Letters (Fresh/Soph year), A Team Captain

Freshman Class President
Sophomore Class President
ASB Secretary
Lead Intern for Blue Angels/Seafair Internship

Member of:
ASB
Civil Air Patrol, Staff Sargent
National Honor Society
Science Olympiad
Symphonic Band
Swim Team

My work experience includes working as a cashier for my parents store, and interning for Blue Angels/SeaFair (two years).
I have done various community service, but I mostly do charity work such as organizing toy and clothes drives.

As a junior next year I will be take three AP classes, Calculus AB, AP Literature, and History. One thing I am worried about is my SAT score, I did not score too well on my PSAT and hope with some studying that my SAT will be better. What would a good goal for me to set for my SAT score?

Thanks again

Continue to take them until you feel you can do no better. Once twice, 8 times, whatever it takes. To really help your chances, you should try for scores near 700M/700V. The mean scores for the Class of 2014 (half the class was lower, half the class was higher) was 1241.

You can look at Class of 2015 Profile here: USCGA Class of 2015

Also, apply to AIM (Academy Introduction Mission) when the application becomes active February 2012.

Take the ACT. Many students do relatively better with the ACT. AS Luigi says retake until you don't get any improvement. AIM is important.

BTW what instument do you play?

Looks pretty good. Keep it up. I think anyone who has the time to take the SAT and ACT over, should. The better you do the better the news.

AIM is a great way to see the Coast Guard Academy before you apply; it gives you a good taste of Swab Summer and you'll be able to interact with cadets. That said, it's not 100% needed. Many many cadets go to CGA without attending AIM. Some of us had the option of MITE or AIM...but simply didn't know about CGA in time to attend either. If you get in you'll be able to spend the day at CGA, shadowing a cadet. We called it "Beansprouting". Won't give you a taste of Swab Summer, but it will give you a great idea of how close cadets are, and their appreciation of the Coast Guard's missions.


Good luck!

Thank you everyone for your responses about my SAT. In regards to my profile what are some key things I should do or improve on to make me stand out as a candidate? ie. more leadership activity or community out reach, ect.

Idzak: I play the flute.
Luigi59: I heard that it is frown upon by colleges to take the SAT more than 3 times. does this apply to the service academies?

Crossingmyfinger said:

Thank you everyone for your responses about my SAT. In regards to my profile what are some key things I should do or improve on to make me stand out as a candidate? ie. more leadership activity or community out reach, ect.

Idzak: I play the flute.
Luigi59: I heard that it is frown upon by colleges to take the SAT more than 3 times. does this apply to the service academies?

Click to expand...

Your profile looks very strong to me. You have plenty of leadership in a variety of organizations with diverse missions. Your strong involvement in community service will be instrumental in your application (Make sure you mention your service and how you feel about it in your application).

Are you planning to major in Engineering? I only ask because none of the AP classes you mentioned are sciences; Good grades in math and science courses are looked at closely in admissions. While it is by no means normal, I took 7 sciences while I was in high school, 2 of which were AP (Chemistry, Physics).

Also, I have not heard about it being frowned upon to take the SAT more than three times. That said, I don't think you need to. After three attempts, I don't feel that there would be sufficient improvement to justify the costs any more. You'd do better to try another test at that point. (In my experience, I only took the ACT twice, didn't bother with the SAT)

Keep up the good work!

-Andrew

Crossingmyfinger said:

Thank you everyone for your responses about my SAT. In regards to my profile what are some key things I should do or improve on to make me stand out as a candidate? ie. more leadership activity or community out reach, ect.

Idzak: I play the flute.
Luigi59: I heard that it is frown upon by colleges to take the SAT more than 3 times. does this apply to the service academies?

Click to expand...

The SAs superscore test scores, so don't worry how many times you take the SAT/ACT exams. Our cadet #1 took the SATs 4 times and the ACT twice. After taking the Sylvan SAT prep their scores rose 200 points (yes, 200! ~ not to say everyone will have these results, in their case there was just test anxiety that had to be overcome). Cadet #2 took SATs twice and had a 100+ point increase from Sophomore to Junior year and took ACTs once.
When counseling both USNA and USCGA candidates I encourage them to take both the SAT and ACT exams (just remember to sign up for the Writing portion of the ACT). No two applicants are the same; so, if you have the time to study and are willing to spend the money, don't worry how many times you take them.
PS: When our cadet looked at ACADIS record it was evident that scores were converted. High SAT was matched with high ACT.
Best to you on your application!

"Crossingmyfinger", SAT's are important but they are not the only thing that is looked at when selecting a candidate. I truly believe that the academy is looking for well rounded applicants that have demonstrated maturity and leadership potential. My sons math and verbal 's SAT scores were in the mid to high 500's and he was selected during EA1. He did however have a 4.2 GPA, earned varsity letters in multiple sports, was a team captain, DECA member, Student Council member, earned numerous academic achievement awards, attended AIM and held a part-time job. I'm sure I left a few things off but I hope you see where I am going with this. Although his SAT scores were below the class average he made up for it in other areas.

YankeesFan said:

Your profile looks very strong to me. You have plenty of leadership in a variety of organizations with diverse missions. Your strong involvement in community service will be instrumental in your application (Make sure you mention your service and how you feel about it in your application).

Are you planning to major in Engineering? I only ask because none of the AP classes you mentioned are sciences; Good grades in math and science courses are looked at closely in admissions. While it is by no means normal, I took 7 sciences while I was in high school, 2 of which were AP (Chemistry, Physics).

Also, I have not heard about it being frowned upon to take the SAT more than three times. That said, I don't think you need to. After three attempts, I don't feel that there would be sufficient improvement to justify the costs any more. You'd do better to try another test at that point. (In my experience, I only took the ACT twice, didn't bother with the SAT)

Keep up the good work!

-Andrew

Click to expand...

Hi Andrew, I have taking science classes. I am taking physics this year and then chemistry next year. Those are the only two higher science classes my school offers. I was wondering would it be better for me to take AP Physics my senior year or just chemistry? (they don't offer AP Chem)

I know this is an old post, but maybe you guys should look into Boys/Girls State. I had no idea what it was, but I found out its great for the service academies after going...not sure how much it plays a role in admissions...even if it doesn't help that it helped me mature a little more

Crossingmyfinger,

I know the Coast G. Acadmy well, I live in the area... Your base outline says a lot, tell them you want to row crew, your swimming back ground will help more then you know. Don't worry about not knowing how to row, if selected the coach there will get you where you need to be.

If your a Jr. this year you have plenty of time to take an SAT prep. Do yourself a favor and take the ACT as well. Your tracking well; however, what have you given back to your community and what are your outside the school volunteer activities, very important!!! Good luck...

Blacklab

Coast G. Academy?