Recent content by VAcadetmom

I can so relate to this - my son had his sights set on USNA before he even started HS, had all his paperwork in early, and then waited until April before the TWE. It was really the first time he had been turned down for something he had gone after. But, he did have an early action acceptance...

Not having passport is only a problem if phase changes for Eagle are not in the US (don't think summer schedule has been posted yet), but they will work it out if there are foreign changes and if swabs don't have their passport yet. You do want it as soon as possible. I understand the...

If you have been working with a partner or local CG person, they can do the presentation. Or, you can request an appointment presentation through the admissions office. They will reach out to the local admissions partner coordinators who will find a local partner to do the presentation. If no...

@Northwoods has it right - there is no interest on the ICA loan. We paid it off using my cadet's 529, and so he got a little more in his paycheck since it didn't include the loan payments. At the end of 2/C year, cadets will be offered a very low interest startup loan from USAA or Navy...

My son reached out to the band director during the application process, but my understanding is the director of the band just retired, so there may be a gap in communication. However, I believe there is something in the paperwork about whether you will have sports equipment or an instrument to...

My son also did music all 4 years at CGA. He started with swab band (a nice break during swab summer where you get to practice your instrument and no one is yelling at you). They have many cadets that sign up without ever playing an instrument before. Instruments are issued, but if you have a...

Back to the original question - I asked a current 1/C ME and he says he does about 30% han I asked a current 1/C ME and he says it's about 70/30 theory vs practical. Most ME classes have an accompanying lab for the hands on part. He is going afloat for his first tour and will be a student...

Not sure what you mean by RA list? RA appointees have been notified throughout the last month or so. The summary of the class (number of applicants, number of appointments, demographics, etc.) is usually provided to the incoming swab families at Day 1.

We always stay at an AirBnB - I hae been unimpressed with the hotels near the academy both in quality and cost. If you want a hotel, there are some very nice hotels (Hilton and Hyatt) up in Mystic, which is only about 20 minutes from the Academy. Just my opinion.

The Academy Experience program is an overnight program for those that have received appointments. They are usually offered in the feb-april time frame a few times before the acceptance deadline.

Now is also the time to get a passport if you don't have one already. It's on the required documents list. I believe the time to get a passport has improved lately, but still something you want to do as early as possible.

And one thing that is great about the Coast Guard is that if you don't get flight school right out of the Academy or OCS, you still have the opportunity to apply (and a good percentage are accepted) after your first or second tour. Some of the cadets purposefully choose to go to an afloat unit...

My cadet just talked to the coach after he arrived at the Academy (maybe even during swab summer - I believe they get coaches time during the summer). He was not a recruited athlete, but was able to join the Track and Field team as a walk on. Track is a winter/spring sport, so he will have...

Have your son go to Coastguardathletics.com and choose "recruit me". That takes you to the questionaire.

This is exactly what my cadet did. He was able to validate out of calculus (can't remember exactly how many classes) and was a peer tutor for calculus his 4/c year. He's enjoyed having some options to take more "fun" classes and only needed to take 15 credits this spring (he's a 1/c) - he's an...