10th Grader - what should we be doing now?

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jersey4ever

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My son is a 10th grader - other than then the obvious - (get good grades etc. ) - what should my son be doing now if he has his heart set on the USCGA.

We created an account on the website - and they already sent him a sticker which he promptly put on his school chrombook :)

Last summer he earned his rescue diver certification, CPR, First aid. In November he will get wreck diver specialty and then we will work on a few more.

We will apply for the summer program between Junior and Senior year...

Other Ideas? He is a good student - but not like a straight A student - so trying to give him the best shot... I know grades are far from the be all and end all in admission.
 
I wouldn't say that grades are far from an end-all beat-all importance to admissions at any academy. They are extremely important.
Have a look at the class profile here: https://www.uscga.edu/typical-class-profile/
  • Approximately 1,853 students complete the application process
  • 368 appointments offered
  • 265 cadets sworn in, including 6 internationals
  • 21% attended the CGA Scholars (prep) program
  • 221 - the average applicant PFE score
  • 46% in the top 10% of high school class
  • 82% in the top 25% of high school class
  • 99% in the top 50% of high school class
  • 88% earned a varsity letter in high school
  • 54% were team captains in high school
  • 16% played in the high school band
  • 3% performing arts members
  • 41% have a parent who has served in the military
  • 78% plan to pursue a technical major
  • Median SAT: Math 660, Critical Reading 650, Writing 6
  • Median ACT: Math 28, English 31
 
I didn't mean to imply grades aren't important - he had a 3.85 unweighted GPA after freshman year (4.3 weighted) - but I would think most people who apply have good grades... my question is what is different - what sets somebody apart.

Everyone has good grades - everyone plays a high school sport - everyone does volunteer work... so what is something not everyone else does? What can set someone apart?
 
Show some leadership, whether it be through a team captaincy, stage mgr in the theater dept or having a real impact on a club or program outside school. There are a lot of threads on leadership around here, so look around. CGA is not as explicit in their scoring for admissions as the other SAs, but they do want to see candidates doing more than books and sports. They are going to end up as officers, after all.

EDIT: If we're going to be quoting the stats @THParent threw out there then I'd take a look at "88% earned a varsity letter in high school" and either get started on a team sport or get active in some other way that can address both the athletic/active aspect of team sports (diving - check) and the leadership/team dynamic aspects (which you might need to work on.)
 
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If there is any sport that your son is particularly good at, maybe he can coach at a little league level. That's a fantastic leadership opportunity. My son was a swim coach for a couple years and it was fantastic to see him interact with the kids and have to continuously change tactics to get the kids to either understand what he was saying or get them to do what he wanted. It was also fun to watch him interact with the parents.
 
Grades, SAT’s, Leadership, Sports, Community Service, other ECA’s.

Aim high. If you miss, you will still hit something pretty high, like maybe ROTC scholarship in another branch. I say do your best, but just realize they take VERY few and don’t get mentally defeated if you don’t get it. Everyone needs a plan B, C and D.
 
Since I didnt see sports listed in the OP...It's too late for fall sports, but I highly recommend anyone without a sport to try out for track and/or XC. Typically those are likely non-cut sports at most schools that beginners can work their way into. He has to run and workout anyway, so might as well get "credit" for it. Plus, it fills up a couple hours every afternoon to help prove he can manage time. Even without a future appointment, the exercise and team bonding will be rewarding and hopefully lead to a better lifestyle. Obviously, being engaged with the team and showing leadership is better than just showing up.

I also would look at jobs. Even if it is one weekend day a week, it shows time management, responsibility and provides life lessons. Anything that proves he can maintain that GPA while balancing lots of various productive time-eaters during the week would be beneficial. Sports, work, volunteering, clubs, etc and especially with leadership in any of those...
 
Id tell my 10th grader to get as good at their main sport as they possibly can. Good enough that the coaches at a SA will have some interest. That can help separate from the pack.

And if their main goal was military service I’d tell them to hedge their bets and apply to more than one SA
 
Thanks everyone!

He does have a job - so that's good - started working at the farm store of a local farm starting at age 14. He is also in photography and debate clubs.

He played soccer freshman year- but didn't return this year - was just a bad experience. I think I will push him hard to run winter and then spring track - I'll show him the stats on student athletes.

All good advice - thanks again!
 
jersey4ever said:
Thanks everyone!

He does have a job - so that's good - started working at the farm store of a local farm starting at age 14. He is also in photography and debate clubs.

He played soccer freshman year- but didn't return this year - was just a bad experience. I think I will push him hard to run winter and then spring track - I'll show him the stats on student athletes.

All good advice - thanks again!
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My DS gave up baseball when he started high school and he started cross-country, which is purely timed 5k’s (three miles). That’s the same distance they run for the Marine Corps PFT. So the training has been good and it’s kept him fit. That will help even in ROTC as a non-scholarship student
 
jersey4ever said:
My son is a 10th grader - other than then the obvious - (get good grades etc. ) - what should my son be doing now if he has his heart set on the USCGA.

We created an account on the website - and they already sent him a sticker which he promptly put on his school chrombook :)

Last summer he earned his rescue diver certification, CPR, First aid. In November he will get wreck diver specialty and then we will work on a few more.

We will apply for the summer program between Junior and Senior year...

Other Ideas? He is a good student - but not like a straight A student - so trying to give him the best shot... I know grades are far from the be all and end all in admission.
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Do you have a Naval Sea Cadet program near you? It would be a good way for him to see if a regimented life is a good fit. My DD did Civil Air Patrol for 4 years and knew that AF ROTC was the right path for her.
 
I think taking up cross country and track are verify beneficial. It bolsters the athletics and will help improve fitness test scores. Maybe even leadership if he can work towards captain.
 
jersey4ever said:
My son is a 10th grader - other than then the obvious - (get good grades etc. ) - what should my son be doing now if he has his heart set on the USCGA.

We created an account on the website - and they already sent him a sticker which he promptly put on his school chrombook :)

Last summer he earned his rescue diver certification, CPR, First aid. In November he will get wreck diver specialty and then we will work on a few more.

We will apply for the summer program between Junior and Senior year...

Other Ideas? He is a good student - but not like a straight A student - so trying to give him the best shot... I know grades are far from the be all and end all in admission.
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Understand the odds he is going up against, especially if he is a white male and not a member of an under represented group that receives priority consideration in admissions. There are very few slots for each demographic - approximately 265 total slots per year. Half or slighty more go to recruited atheletes, leaving 130 slots. 40%+ are for women, 33% are for minorities. Assuming the demographics of athletes (percentage of women and minorities) are the same as the general student body, that leaves approximately 60 slots for white males who aren't recruited athletes. You also have to consider that some of those slots will be taken by prep school kids. The demographics for prep school aren't published - many are athletes and minorities, so maybe reduce the available non-athlete white male slots by 5 or so. This means a white male non- recruited athlete would be competing with every other white male non-recruited athlete in the country for one of roughly 55 slots. That's before you even consider geographic diversity, which isn't a requirement at CGA, but a goal. If you are in a heavily represented area (like NYC area, Philly, Virginia or Maryland) it becomes even tougher sledding, as CGA will be looking to be geographically diverse and already has multiple spots dedicated to those areas for recruited athletes. Its much better to be an applicant from Montana or some other poorly represented area than to be from Northern Virginia.

Since he is very well qualified academically (pending standardized tests) he may be over qualified for a prep school spot, meaning he wouldnt be eligible for that program.

When you break down the numbers, it's scary how competitve CGA is.
 
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Be careful with those "slot" numbers. Some of those minorities are also women, and some of the women are athletes, and so on. The academy splits roughly 60-40 by gender, and about a third of the class has been minority of late, and there are a bunch of recruited athletes because it's a small school with a lot of teams. It's very competitive, but if you happen to be a recruited athlete (or musician) then these "slots" can work in your favor. Just put together your best package and take your shot. Worry about the things you can control and let the rest go.

EDIT: I'm not trying to refute anything above, just take the edge off the hard math. It was competitive without the math, and the fact that half the class is recruited athletes and musicians means that you could be one of them in ways you never could be at another large school. Just put your best foot forward and let the chips fall where they may.
 
If he has his heart set on CGA make sure he can articulate why he wants to serve in the Coast Guard, and let him completely lead the process. If they have any admissions events in your area, it's worth it to try and attend. Schedule a visit to campus, or if distance is a factor, there are several virtual events. There is a wealth of information on the USCGA website, from the schedule for in person admissions events to blogs by current cadets. Take the SAT or ACT early to give yourself a chance to retake if necessary. The Academy does superscore. My cadet took practice tests in both, and then focused on the ACT for his official tests because that format worked better for his test taking style. But these tests are just a piece. CGA truly looks at the whole person. When it comes time to apply, do all of the "optional" parts as well, and start early. If your son has all of the pieces he needs before the start of his senior year, Early Action is a great option. If he is waiting for a grade boost from fall semester or ACT/SAT test results to make his application more solid, then wait for Regular Admission. I do agree that joining the track team would be a good way to stay fit and prepare for the PFE, and give him the possibility of a varsity letter.
 
StPaulDad said:
Be careful with those "slot" numbers. Some of those minorities are also women, and some of the women are athletes, and so on. The academy splits roughly 60-40 by gender, and about a third of the class has been minority of late, and there are a bunch of recruited athletes because it's a small school with a lot of teams. It's very competitive, but if you happen to be a recruited athlete (or musician) then these "slots" can work in your favor. Just put together your best package and take your shot. Worry about the things you can control and let the rest go.

EDIT: I'm not trying to refute anything above, just take the edge off the hard math. It was competitive without the math, and the fact that half the class is recruited athletes and musicians means that you could be one of them in ways you never could be at another large school. Just put your best foot forward and let the chips fall where they may.
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Check my math. I accounted for the overlap. And musicians aren’t recruited at CGA and aren’t included in the 50% athlete number.

The math isn’t exact, because we don’t have all the data, but it’s damn close, and done to illustrate the point of how competitive it is to get in for any individual demographic.
 
Identify your admissions counselor and make contact and update them regularly. Do everything that is suggested to you by your admissions counselor and sports coach, if you are a recruited athlete. They keep track of these things and pay attention.
Remember that the Tennis, Track, Wrestling, Rowing, Swimming, Sailing, Lacrosse, Basketball, Baseball etc. all recruit athletes. You do not have to be a super star Soccer or Football athlete to be a recruited athlete for CGA. CGA a D3 Sport school for most teams which opens a lot of doors for HS athletes. An endorsement from a coach as an athlete can really help your admission chances. If your child is a Freshman or a Sophomore in HS he may have time to find his sport and begin to build a resume that may allow for an opening conversation with a CGA coach.

Also he should be sure to be taking and excelling in the most challenging STEM classes his HS has to offer. Definitely Chem, Physics and Calculus at a minimum. Def AP if they are offered.
 
PRBWJB said:
Authentic leadership.
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Look what's right in from of OP's son. Scuba Diving, at least according to my life insurance carrier, is right up there with mountain climbing and sky diving as among the most dangerous leisure activities.

I'm sure OP's DS is waaaay too young be certified as a diving instructor, but if he could be on a quantifiable track in that direction, that would prove a whole lot about maturity and leadership.
 
Korab said:
When you break down the numbers, it's scary how competitve CGA is.
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My son was recruited by all the academies for football except for WP. One day USCGA football coach Bill George called to speak with him but he was not home. I chatted with Coach George for a few minutes. He said he'd love to have him on the team but the CG academy was the hardest to get into and my son's GPA and SAT were not high enough but to tell him to consider prep school. This was before USNA dropped him. He wasn't interested in prep school and ended up not going to any academy. For him at the time, all the academies were the hardest to get into.
 
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