USCGA 2020 appointments

For kids who are still in the "waiting period" with no status change, should they still be contacting their AO and coach with updates, etc., or is it better just to keep silent and wait it out at this point?
 
And for those from the Delaware Valley area, please join the Delaware Valley Parents Coast Guard Academy parents Association. Great group with a upcoming meeting to include 2020 appointees on the 19th of March at the Sector in Philadelphia. You can message me for info.
 
MaggieMae66 said:
I am wondering how much input the AO has in the CCEB review. What I mean is, if the AO thinks this person is a strong candidate, does the CCEB take that into consideration during the review or does it really matter. The AO would be the person having the most contact with the applicant so it would stand to reason they would have some input. I would be interested to know.
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I did not get an answer on this so I am bringing back to the top. If anyone has any input on this, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.
 
I don't think anybody here who does not sit on the admissions boards can directly answer your question. However, understand that a significant proportion of candidates do not make contact with their AOs, and do not interview with AOs. Despite this, they do get appointments. Further, to the extent candidates do get interviews, they often are with Admissions Partners who generally are volunteers such as parents of cadets and alumni, existing alumni, or members of the CG Auxiliary. Again, I don't know how important this is to the admissions process, but given that interviews are not mandatory, I suspect these interviews are more to allow partners to sell the academy and to answer questions about the academy and the Coast Guard in general. Please note, I am not an Academy Partner nor do I speak for the Academy.
 
AlexT said:
I don't think anybody here who does not sit on the admissions boards can directly answer your question. However, understand that a significant proportion of candidates do not make contact with their AOs, and do not interview with AOs. Despite this, they do get appointments. Further, to the extent candidates do get interviews, they often are with Admissions Partners who generally are volunteers such as parents of cadets and alumni, existing alumni, or members of the CG Auxiliary. Again, I don't know how important this is to the admissions process, but given that interviews are not mandatory, I suspect these interviews are more to allow partners to sell the academy and to answer questions about the academy and the Coast Guard in general. Please note, I am not an Academy Partner nor do I speak for the Academy.
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Thanks for your feedback. I get what you are saying. I was not speaking toward an interview specifically. I would imagine the AO's have some idea based on previous years who is strong and who is not. Who is a candidate for CGAS and who is not. The AO may even rank them (in their own mind, if no where else). I was just curious how much input the AO had for the CCEB review, like if they sent recommendations along with the file or something when it goes to the board.
 
What you surmise sounds reasonable. I would guess that the AOs take the first cut to determine which candidates are qualified academically assuming the candidates are DODMERB qualified and have passed the PFE. In essence, I think they want to make sure everybody under consideration by the admissions board will be able to handle the academic workload. Beyond that, I can't say what a definition of a "strong" candidate is. The cadet corps is a very rich group made up of people with a multitude of talents and skills. That given, those that you or I consider to be strong candidates may not be viewed that favorably by the admissions board. I would think that once candidates make the academic cut, the next question that would be asked is "what can this candidate do for the academy besides not flunk out." This is where the diversity of the academy is built, and I'm not speaking of racial/ethnic diversity. The academy has a large number of varsity sports, so I would guess coaches have some input on specific qualified candidates. The academy also is rich in the arts. Those who play instruments and can contribute to the academy's various ensembles and bands are probably looked upon favorably. The cadets put on plays and musicals, which require additional talents. The academy also has strong chorus and glee club programs which serve as fantastic ambassadors. There also are a multitude of additional clubs/teams that highlight the academy, from the competitive cyber security team to the model United Nations team. There are probably dozens of others that I can't think of. You see, the academy has needs for a wide range of students with a broad range of talents. I think that having stellar grades, class rank, and test scores certainly gets you a close look. Beyond that, I can't say what would make you a strong candidate without knowing the needs of the academy for that particular incoming class.
 
LurkerKing said:
Sarah, I really appreciate your thoughtful response. I have definitely learned things from applying this year that would make me a better candidate, but I do not know if I really want to get rejected again, as well as hunt down all the teachers that gave me a LOR and ask again. At this point in my academic career I am not sure what I want to do, but I feel that enlisting may be my best option. Civilian life just isn't my thing, and I do not think that a civilian college would help me any either. I will be talking to a recruiter over the next couple weeks, and hopefully they will offer me something/show me a path that is even better than the one that the service academies offered--I have found a new interest in the Navy's Nuclear Operations program. It has prestige and seems to be an academic challenge, as well as a good education in the STEM field that I am so interested in.
I have emailed my AO and hopefully he will give me some critical advice, and if I see that there really was a big hole in my application, then I will reapply. Good luck in your military career.
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I wish you the best. Your spirit is what the US military needs. I hope things go well in your press onwards! The military has dozens of opportunities that I'm sure you will enjoy.
 
Do you mean the form email that says your application is ready to be reviewed under regular admission, and decisions are published between mid-February and April 1, or is there a different one? DS got that one in mid-January, and still no word. We keep trying to follow the good advise on here and not read too much into that, but it is hard!
 
Yes, that is the one. Being hopeful, but DS has never been sent a DodMerb request. So we have ourselves prepared. We have plan B etc. Wish we could go back in time he would have done things a bit more different.
 
Bpacemo2 said:
Yes, that is the one. Being hopeful, but DS has never been sent a DodMerb request. So we have ourselves prepared. We have plan B etc. Wish we could go back in time he would have done things a bit more different.
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If it is not in the cards for him this year, all hope is not lost. He can go with his plan B for next year and mirror the 4th class course load. If he does really well in his classes, he can always reapply next year. My DS is currently a 2nd class and most of his friends are a year older than he is because they either went through CGAS, self reported to MMI for a year or went to civilian college for a year and reapplied to CGA and NONE of them feel that it was a wasted year. They ALL feel that it was part of their overall journey and they wouldn't change any of it. Good luck!
 
TXHopeful said:
Do you mean the form email that says your application is ready to be reviewed under regular admission, and decisions are published between mid-February and April 1, or is there a different one? DS got that one in mid-January, and still no word. We keep trying to follow the good advise on here and not read too much into that, but it is hard!
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Do they review based on the date the app is submitted? We have heard nothing, total crickets...
 
I'm not sure if this has already been answered, but how does USCGA send out rejections/appointments?
 
Jimmay said:
I'm not sure if this has already been answered, but how does USCGA send out rejections/appointments?
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Through the Bears Den Portal. Sometimes appointments are preceded with a phone call from the coach or AO.
 
I believe both are followed up with either a TWE (for a decline) and a BFE (for a appointment) from what I understand.
 
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