Would this be beneficial?

C

cc.cg

Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2017
Messages
118
Hello! I'm looking to apply to MMA and CGA I'm currently a junior, and my local YMCA is offering a lifeguard certification course and I was wondering if this would look good on my application the only problem is the course is very long and expensive. Just want to get some ideas if it would even be worth it since it would only be for a year and then I'm off to whichever college or hopefully SA picks me.
 
Lifeguard certification would not be helpful for your application. Spend your time doing things you are passionate about rather than trying to guess what would look good. Concentrate on leadership positions in whatever you do.
 
She is right about leadership, but I think that being a certified lifeguard would strengthen any application. Swimming on a school team would help also.

I do not believe that it should take a year to obtain lifeguard certification.
 
Well let's put it this way, no admissions officer will ever say "SATs are kind of low, has varsity letter but not team captain, wait, hold the phone, this one spent one summer as a life guard??!??!!? Type up an appointment ASAP." I also doubt working as a lifeguard one summer would even be a discriminator between two otherwise qualified candidates. If you need some summer money and want to be a lifeguard, do it. Don't do it because you think it will help you get into a service academy, because the relative payback for the time investment is weak imo.
 
KP Eng said:
Well let's put it this way, no admissions officer will ever say "SATs are kind of low, has varsity letter but not team captain, wait, hold the phone, this one spent one summer as a life guard??!??!!? Type up an appointment ASAP." I also doubt working as a lifeguard one summer would even be a discriminator between two otherwise qualified candidates. If you need some summer money and want to be a lifeguard, do it. Don't do it because you think it will help you get into a service academy, because the relative payback for the time investment is weak imo.
Click to expand...

It takes lots of accomplishments to make a package worthy of an appointment.

I wonder if the admission officer would say "Hey, this guy is extremely sarcastic! Sign him up!"?!?!?!
 
KP Eng said:
Well let's put it this way, no admissions officer will ever say "SATs are kind of low, has varsity letter but not team captain, wait, hold the phone, this one spent one summer as a life guard??!??!!? Type up an appointment ASAP." I also doubt working as a lifeguard one summer would even be a discriminator between two otherwise qualified candidates. If you need some summer money and want to be a lifeguard, do it. Don't do it because you think it will help you get into a service academy, because the relative payback for the time investment is weak imo.
Click to expand...

my point was one category on SA aps is work... Lifeguarding only is one box checked. Obviously much more is required but work shows time management abilities ALONG with ECs.
 
KP Eng said:
Well let's put it this way, no admissions officer will ever say "SATs are kind of low, has varsity letter but not team captain, wait, hold the phone, this one spent one summer as a life guard??!??!!? Type up an appointment ASAP."
Click to expand...
I didn't work as a lifeguard so I'm not sure what it was in my application but that is pretty close to what happened in my case. I know it wasn't my GPA or SATs that got me in.
 
cc.cg said:
Hello! I'm looking to apply to MMA and CGA I'm currently a junior, and my local YMCA is offering a lifeguard certification course and I was wondering if this would look good on my application the only problem is the course is very long and expensive. Just want to get some ideas if it would even be worth it since it would only be for a year and then I'm off to whichever college or hopefully SA picks me.
Click to expand...
DS#1 worked as a YMCA lifeguard and swim team coach for 2 years.. well, until before he left for I-Day!! DS#2 is also YMCA lifeguard n swim team coach right now and applying for CGA, MMA, n USMA. Work experience plus a strong leadership. Being a lifeguard both young n adults will follow your lead. Great respectable job for high schooler. It’s a week training and monthly paid training. My boys got it from Red Cross st 15 yrs old...when hired by YMCA, you’ll be cross training to YMCA certification. Red Cross was cheaper and 15 yrs old minimum age. Since DS#1 is already raising junior at CGA, I think, I am right that this will help your application:) they both work straight from 16 to on...good luck!
 
Last edited:
MJ2020 said:
Since DS#1 is already raising junior at CGA, I think, I am right that this will help your application:) they both work straight from 16 to on...good luck!
Click to expand...
There's a quip to be made about correlation and causation here, but I'll refrain since I was already accused of being sarcastic. My point is do the things you WANT to do, be excellent at them, and take on leadership roles which will likely come based on your enthusiasm for what you are doing. Don't pick activities or jobs that you are ambivalent about based on how you think they will look on your service academy application.
 
KP Eng said:
MJ2020 said:
Since DS#1 is already raising junior at CGA, I think, I am right that this will help your application:) they both work straight from 16 to on...good luck!
Click to expand...
There's a quip to be made about correlation and causation here, but I'll refrain since I was already accused of being sarcastic. My point is do the things you WANT to do, be excellent at them, and take on leadership roles which will likely come based on your enthusiasm for what you are doing. Don't pick activities or jobs that you are ambivalent about based on how you think they will look on your service academy application.
Click to expand...
I do get your point.. it just happens that my boys were in swim team from K-10 grade. Really, only job they can do very well.. it was before the SA came to mind. Lifeguarding n swim coach then Coast Guard;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top