AIM questions

Hogwartzrules

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Mar 9, 2016
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Hi, I was looking at the CGA website for more information on aim but can't find it. So my questions are..
1. When I sign up do I get to choose which week long experience? Or is it assigned by when you sign up?
2. What is the probability that I get accepted?
3. On a scale of 1-10 how intense is the AIM program? (1 being like a slice of cake and 10 being cutting a tree down with a dull ax)
4. Does my plan ride get paid for or do I pay for it my self?
5. What are some things that you do during p.t ?
Thank you very much!
 
Hi, I was looking at the CGA website for more information on aim but can't find it. So my questions are..
1. When I sign up do I get to choose which week long experience? Or is it assigned by when you sign up?
2. What is the probability that I get accepted?
3. On a scale of 1-10 how intense is the AIM program? (1 being like a slice of cake and 10 being cutting a tree down with a dull ax)
4. Does my plan ride get paid for or do I pay for it my self?
5. What are some things that you do during p.t ?
Thank you very much!

1. Yes. You get to pick your week, but whether you get your choice depends on availability.
2. Zero-if you don't apply. Otherwise, no one on this forum can tell you the probability of being accepted. We don't know your achievements and qualifications and the achievements and qualifications of the other candidates who are applying. Even if we did, the USCGA has a number of factors that it uses to select candidates. There is no accurate answer to this question.
3. Perhaps someone who went to AIM can answer this, but according to the USCGA website and other feedback, AIM is the most intense summer program of any SA. They keep the experience extremely realistic.
4. No, unless you have financial need, but normally transportation is not paid for by the SA.
5. I will let an AIM alum answer that question.

Best wishes to you.
 
1. Yes. You get to pick your week, but whether you get your choice depends on availability.
2. Zero-if you don't apply. Otherwise, no one on this forum can tell you the probability of being accepted. We don't know your achievements and qualifications and the achievements and qualifications of the other candidates who are applying. Even if we did, the USCGA has a number of factors that it uses to select candidates. There is no accurate answer to this question.
3. Perhaps someone who went to AIM can answer this, but according to the USCGA website and other feedback, AIM is the most intense summer program of any SA. They keep the experience extremely realistic.
4. No, unless you have financial need, but normally transportation is not paid for by the SA.
5. I will let an AIM alum answer that question.

Best wishes to you.
Thank you so much!
 
<--------- my DS went to AIM.

The application process is pretty much like applying to a college. You will need LOR's , transcripts, and a list accomplishments during high school thus far.

DS did tell us that there were several that went home after the 2nd day, not sure if they just could not handle the PT or the "in your face", or both? But as Padre101 stated, it's deemed one of most realistic SA summer programs out there.

It was an extremely wonderful experience for my DS.

Good Luck!!!! Apply and see what happens!
 
Is the AIM program the real source of a large number (relative) of the Appointments to USCGA?
 
From the CGA web site, 34 percent of the 287 U.S. swabs reporting on R-Day had attended AIM. I'll leave the interpretation of this statistic to others.
 
Each class has about 30% or so which were in AIM. It varies each year, of course. The EA candidates had a higher proportion this year, but I don't know if that is typical.

Back to OP's questions:
1) You can request, you may not get it.
2) About 1 in 3 of qualified candidates make it. See below
3) 9. At least. Be physically and mentally ready, or you too will be leaving the second day.
4) You pay your way
5) Take a look at TRACEN Cape May. What they do there in boot camp is some of what you will be doing. The Company Commanders (CG Drill Sergents) from Cape May come up and train the 2nd Class Cadets who will be pting you.

AIM has room for about one third of qualified candidates. Therefore, AIMsters are chosen by lottery. Non-qualifying candidates are not considered. If you do not make AIM, but are qualified, you will be eligible to attend Cadet for a Day. You stay with a cadet overnight in Chase Hall and attend classes. My son did not make AIM, but found Cadet for a Day to be outstanding. He is now a 2nd Class cadet.
 
R-Day is Reporting In Day for the new Swabs. The start of Swab Summer.
 
From the CGA web site, 34 percent of the 287 U.S. swabs reporting on R-Day had attended AIM. I'll leave the interpretation of this statistic to others.

Great information; thank you very much!

My DD has interest in USCGA.
 
Each class has about 30% or so which were in AIM. It varies each year, of course. The EA candidates had a higher proportion this year, but I don't know if that is typical.

Back to OP's questions:
1) You can request, you may not get it.
2) About 1 in 3 of qualified candidates make it. See below
3) 9. At least. Be physically and mentally ready, or you too will be leaving the second day.
4) You pay your way
5) Take a look at TRACEN Cape May. What they do there in boot camp is some of what you will be doing. The Company Commanders (CG Drill Sergents) from Cape May come up and train the 2nd Class Cadets who will be pting you.

AIM has room for about one third of qualified candidates. Therefore, AIMsters are chosen by lottery. Non-qualifying candidates are not considered. If you do not make AIM, but are qualified, you will be eligible to attend Cadet for a Day. You stay with a cadet overnight in Chase Hall and attend classes. My son did not make AIM, but found Cadet for a Day to be outstanding. He is now a 2nd Class cadet.

So how does this lottery work? Are AIMsters deemed "qualified" and then randomly selected out of a pool of "qualified" applicants? If you're not qualified will they let you know early? Thank you for any info you may be able to share!
 
So how does this lottery work? Are AIMsters deemed "qualified" and then randomly selected out of a pool of "qualified" applicants? If you're not qualified will they let you know early? Thank you for any info you may be able to share!

Yes. While there will probably be a few "chosen" AIMsters, the bulk of them are pulled via a lottery of qualified applicants. They only have room for around 700 or so, but I think they get about 2000 applications.
 
Hi, I was looking at the CGA website for more information on aim but can't find it. So my questions are..
1. When I sign up do I get to choose which week long experience? Or is it assigned by when you sign up?
2. What is the probability that I get accepted?
3. On a scale of 1-10 how intense is the AIM program? (1 being like a slice of cake and 10 being cutting a tree down with a dull ax)
4. Does my plan ride get paid for or do I pay for it my self?
5. What are some things that you do during p.t ?
Thank you very much!

Hello! I completed AIM last year- so I'm pretty fresh in the mind in terms of my experience of AIM.
1) If you do get the offer to attend the AIM Program, you get to pick which week you want to do the program. It's a first come first thing kinda thing. I recommend you pick the first week (if your schedule allows for it) because the cadres are going to be really excited and ready to yell. By the end of my week (week 1), my leaders were already losing their voices.
2) I don't really know how the whole probability thing works, but my recommendation is to complete the application asap! Also try to list as many leadership activities you have successfully participated in, so far in high school.
3) In terms of intensity, I'd say 9.5! You are definitely going to sweat ALOT. Connecticut is the summer is especially humid, which doesn't help. You will be double-timing in formation EVERYWHERE you go. You will be taking 5 minute showers about 2 or 3 times a day. You will be woken up early with the Reveille tune and have less than 30 seconds to pull on your socks and shoes, and get in formation in the hall. The list goes on and on... Prepare to be wiped out.
4) You will have to pay for your own plane ride. Make sure you check the arrival times so that you can arrive on time. More information will be available to you if you get accepted.
5) At the academy, they call it "IT" instead of "PT". I'm still not sure why. It entails push-ups, squats, plank positions, sit ups, lots and lots of sounding off and yelling, etc... You will sweat ALOT.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me!
 
Hello! I completed AIM last year- so I'm pretty fresh in the mind in terms of my experience of AIM.
1) If you do get the offer to attend the AIM Program, you get to pick which week you want to do the program. It's a first come first thing kinda thing. I recommend you pick the first week (if your schedule allows for it) because the cadres are going to be really excited and ready to yell. By the end of my week (week 1), my leaders were already losing their voices.
2) I don't really know how the whole probability thing works, but my recommendation is to complete the application asap! Also try to list as many leadership activities you have successfully participated in, so far in high school.
3) In terms of intensity, I'd say 9.5! You are definitely going to sweat ALOT. Connecticut is the summer is especially humid, which doesn't help. You will be double-timing in formation EVERYWHERE you go. You will be taking 5 minute showers about 2 or 3 times a day. You will be woken up early with the Reveille tune and have less than 30 seconds to pull on your socks and shoes, and get in formation in the hall. The list goes on and on... Prepare to be wiped out.
4) You will have to pay for your own plane ride. Make sure you check the arrival times so that you can arrive on time. More information will be available to you if you get accepted.
5) At the academy, they call it "IT" instead of "PT". I'm still not sure why. It entails push-ups, squats, plank positions, sit ups, lots and lots of sounding off and yelling, etc... You will sweat ALOT.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me!

About how much does a round trip for 1 cost? If you don't get accepted then what do you do like is there an alternative?
I'm a very soft kind hearted person, would this be for me to try? How many people said nope and high tailed it out? And lastly (maybe) How do the scholarships work?
 
Hi, I was looking at the CGA website for more information on aim but can't find it. So my questions are..
1. When I sign up do I get to choose which week long experience? Or is it assigned by when you sign up?
2. What is the probability that I get accepted?
3. On a scale of 1-10 how intense is the AIM program? (1 being like a slice of cake and 10 being cutting a tree down with a dull ax)
4. Does my plan ride get paid for or do I pay for it my self?
5. What are some things that you do during p.t ?
Thank you very much!

  • My DD selected chose the first week of AIM, and got it.
  • Intensity-- she said it was about a 7 overall, but said running hills was about a 9! You will run everywhere you go. Get in shape and start running now.
  • More than a few students left within a few hours during her session, several more after the first day. In all cases, the students were there because their parents wanted it more than they did.
  • The engineering project and competition changed her career path for college. She added an Engineering program to her senior year curriculum, and is very excited about exploring engineering because of AIM. They had lots of time to work with mentors and their groups on the engineering project during AIM.
  • She now wants to not only captain her own boat, but wants to be a pilot as well.
  • She loved being part of the academy, even though it was just a short week at AIM. She still keeps in touch with 2 fellow Aimsters. Although she was tired when we picked her up, she was thriving and energized.
  • Her senior year grades were her best because of AIM.
  • We drove her to AIM, then stayed in the area and enjoyed the beautiful sights until we picked her up at graduation.
  • According to her, if you are worrying about the intensity, or are not excited about it etc., "it may not be your thing ".
  • She loved the structure and felt very comfortable conforming to the rules, etc. It is the military.
  • Being selected for AIM was an honor, and has helped her become eligible for some engineering summer internships and scholarship consideration.
  • Because of AIM, and regardless of if she gets an appointment, she says AIM confirmed that she wants to study engineering and be in the military.
Our DD has talked about the military since middle school. She will be the first in our family to serve. She is our only child. I encourage you to talk with your parents about your concerns. We were able to attend the parent meeting prior to picking her up, and it was very helpful . Make sure this is what YOU want.
Plan what is best for you as you head into your senior year--Best wishes and good luck!
 
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Since you're asking about getting accepted I'm assuming you haven't heard yet. Do NOT worry if you don't. I was denied and was still one of the real early Early Action appointees. Acceptance or non-acceptance to AIM does not say whether or not you can get in to the Academy so don't lose hope if you don't. Apply early and work hard, it's all you can do.
 
About how much does a round trip for 1 cost? If you don't get accepted then what do you do like is there an alternative?
I'm a very soft kind hearted person, would this be for me to try? How many people said nope and high tailed it out? And lastly (maybe) How do the scholarships work?

Because I live in california, my round trip cost was about 300-400?ish and that was with a transfer both ways.

If you don't get accepted, that does not automatically deny you from the academy. Like someone said earlier, you could get denied from AIM but still get accepted to the Academy, although going to AIM does help boost your application a little. I'm pretty sure there is a "Cadet for a day" program you can attend, if you would like to experience the daily life of a cadet. There are many other options you can apply for if you don't get the appointment to AIM- so don't worry!

I'm also a pretty kind person and I got through the program so don't worry. You just have to be capable of staying mentally strong. You'll be under immense pressure 24/7 for the whole week, so mentally it is pretty strenuous. Also, have the ability to shout (you'll be needing to do that alot). Overall, this program is a great experience both for learning more about the military and the academy.

There were about 3-5? or so in my company who just gave up after the first day (reporting in day), which wasn't even a full day... Actually, my former roommate was one of the quitters, and what's funny is that right before all the mayhem, he was bragging to us that his dad was a highly ranked coast guard officer and that the AIM program, for him, would be a piece of cake. haha. STAY HUMBLE!! As long as you stay mentally tough and focused on finishing the week, you should be good to go.

I actually received a scholarship, which covered the cost of the program. Because of that, our family saved around 400 dollars, which is incredible!! I applied for it after I received the acceptance letter. It is optional and is given out based on your financial needs and your motivation to complete the program. The application itself required lots of financial information fyi! You can apply for the airplane fee, the program fee, or both!
 
Hi, I was looking at the CGA website for more information on aim but can't find it. So my questions are..
1. When I sign up do I get to choose which week long experience? Or is it assigned by when you sign up?
2. What is the probability that I get accepted?
3. On a scale of 1-10 how intense is the AIM program? (1 being like a slice of cake and 10 being cutting a tree down with a dull ax)
4. Does my plan ride get paid for or do I pay for it my self?
5. What are some things that you do during p.t ?
Thank you very much!

I attended AIM last summer and it was a lot more intense than I anticipated. My dad is a CAPT in the CG and I have been around the branch my whole life. The program was very intense, long, but rewarding. The intensity is set on day 1, where the cadre IT you (physical training basically) in the hallways. On day one, we did like 100 pushups, a 5 minute plank, and a lot of other exercises. They also make you memorize definitions and random facts, so begin learning them as soon as you get your bow-sprit (orange booklet). At the end of the week the cadre said they made my session harder than the others since the AIMSTERS said it was easy, so mine may have been harder than usual, however it gave me a realistic idea of what the first summer at any academy will be like. The 5 days went by slow, and it was hard. My roommate even DOR'd (Dropped on request). If you go, make sure you are in great shape. Go in with a good attitude and push yourself past your limits towards success.

P.S. there were fun parts of the week. We went sailing for like 4 hours (which was away from the cadre and very relaxing) and we built our own water robot's. Just stick with it and have fun!
 
My biggest piece of advice is to not worry about what is going to happen next. Just focus on the task at hand. It is tough, but AIM was designed that way. Also, the way I got through the week was taking the days meal by meal. Everything tones down a bit each day after dinner. Even though the days are slow, the week goes by fast. Once you hit Wednesday, you are golden. The focus switches to the Engineering Project, the PFE, the knowledge exam, graduation practice, etc. The Cadre start lightening the stress a bit, but this isn't an excuse to slack off and not meet the standards. Keep your sense of humor too. The Cadre are pretty funny and they will try and make you laugh once in a while. Also, when given a head and water break, crack some jokes with your shipmates. While brief, you are away from the Cadre and you can let loose for a bit. Have fun and make sure you arrive in shape. You are moving non-stop and the Coast Guard Academy is hilly.
 
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