Admissions requested intended major

[cdthompso1]

My DD's regional admissions officer reached out to ask her intended major. Is that a factor in appointment decisions, perhaps to balance out the class across academic programs? I'm unclear on what, if anything, to read into this, but it seems to be an indicator they are deep into the process of evaluating EA applications. She completed her application a couple weeks ago, has recommendations and transcripts in, is already DoDMERB medically qualified and took the PFE at AIM so they have a full set of data. Anyone else receive a request for intended major or know the significance?

 

[FutureAcademyDad?]

Yes, applicants are required to list a first and second major choice. And it can have an impact on receiving an offer of appointment.

 

[Flint41]

I cannot answer if any significance or anything else. Just curious if DD selected undecided engineering major when filled out the application or if another option was available for selecting undecided and did not choose 2 degrees. Could be as simple as needing DD to choose which major.

 

[TriMom64]

As mentioned above applicants are required to list a first and second choice of major. The Academy is divided into three schools: The School of Engineering and Cyber Systems; The School of Science, Mathematics, and the Humanities; and The School of Leadership and Management. Admissions tries to balance the class between these 3 schools. A solid guess of why they are asking that your DD select a major is so that she can be compared against other applicants seeking an appointment with the same major.

 

[Impulsive]

My DD's regional admissions officer reached out to ask her intended major. Is that a factor in appointment decisions, perhaps to balance out the class across academic programs? I'm unclear on what, if anything, to read into this, but it seems to be an indicator they are deep into the process of evaluating EA applications. She completed her application a couple weeks ago, has recommendations and transcripts in, is already DoDMERB medically qualified and took the PFE at AIM so they have a full set of data. Anyone else receive a request for intended major or know the significance?

The Academy needs to have an idea of intended majors so that it can project filling needs. Not that it really matters, because it is highly likely she will have the opportunity to change sophomore year, depending on the needs of the service. My understanding is Engineering Types upon graduation, generally follow an engineering path, student engineer on Cutters, Civil engineer basic for shoreside, and Naval Architecture at shipyards, HQ, and Areas. Science and Humanities majors can just about go anywhere, but usually start with a JO Deck afloat, or Sector Support ashore tour, but can usually mitigate into Law, Engineering, or Support after their initial tour. Management majors mostly do an afloat tour or Sector Tour, then choose career path from there. Many go into Law, or specialize management positions (Project Managers). There is always direct grad or flight school for grads too, depending on the current needs and her abilities.

The main point here being, if the Service is short of a type of graduate, they usually will if possible try and fill those jobs by accepting applicants who want that career, but again it is important to realize that it is possible (BUT never guaranteed) to change majors while at the Academy, or after a first tour by attending grad school. At the officer level, it is extremely similar to the enlisted level, promotions are based on open billets or slots depending on your specialty or qualifications.

A humble piece of advice, have your daughter speak with her AO and ask the reason for the asking, and advise her NOT to pick any major she is uncomfortable with as she may get stuck there for her five year ADSO. Tell her to remember, jobs are based on need, and she enters a field with a lot of openings that she does not want, the ADSO will make her miserable.

 

[cdthompso1]

Thanks for these helpful replies. In fact, I had the timing wrong. The AO reached out prior to her submitting her application, thus they did not have her preferred majors in any formal way when they asked. I'll pass along the tip to ask why asking, but I suspect the simple answer is balancing across the three schools. I've reiterated to her that prescient point that the needs of the service come first so she's grounded in knowing you don't always get what you want.

 

[27BearDad]

I've reiterated to her that prescient point that the needs of the service come first so she's grounded in knowing you don't always get what you want.

This is more important than many people realize. I recall my daughter receiving a welcome email from the department head of a major that was neither of her two choices. She responded back and indicated as such and was ultimately referred to her AO to clarify. AO said that was a glitch, and she was actually slated for her number 2 choice, but could make a request to possibly get her number 1 if she really wanted it.

She respectfully responded that she'd like to make a run for her first choice, but understood if needs of the service dictated otherwise. Her AO forwarded her request with comments on how mature and professional she was in handling the situation and how far those sorts of attributes would take her in the Coast Guard and beyond. It wasn't until after swab summer during CAP week when she found out she got her first choice!

I guess that was the first time it really occurred to her that yes, it's a world class education, and yes, it's tuition free, etc. However, the trade off is, you become their asset and ultimately are going to do what they need you to do!

 

[StPaulDad]

I'm not so sure the major matters too much for your initial assignment after graduation. Expect 20-25 to get flight, 6-8 to cyber, 10-12 to go to sector and the balance to go afloat, with the cyber spots more or less set by major and the flight spots independent of major. That 80% headed to the fleet needs to fill deck watch and engineering roles, but to be honest those junior officer roles really won't use a lot of your academics. Many of those deck spots are going to be filled by MES and ORDA types, and even the engineering jobs aren't going to make much use of the specifics of civil or naval engineering. Later on you may find your way towards a career path that uses your degree, but often you will not. There are plenty of stories around here where New London represented the last hint of electrical engineering or fish kissing in a career. You may find a life in aviation or aboard a cutter to be all you could ask for, or you could do something that there is no major for like recruiting, training or public affairs. Life unfolds at its own pace, so stay open-minded.

But your major does make a difference in the admissions process, so pick one you're genuinely interested in. School is hard enough without the extra problem of not liking the subject you'll be elbows deep in for three years. Be honest with yourself too, since it is hard to change to a very different major and still have any chance of graduating in four years. Many courses in engineering have to be taken in order and you won't have the luxury of a fifth year for do-overs. That's one of the reasons they try to keep some room in the mgmt and gov majors: you can take a lot of those courses concurrently or out of order in the event you wash out of EE and you need to catch up in a new place. That's nearly impossible if you started in, say, mgmt or MES and tried to go back and overload in an engineering track. Food for thought.

 

[Haveaniceday]

I'm not so sure the major matters too much for your initial assignment after graduation. Expect 20-25 to get flight, 6-8 to cyber, 10-12 to go to sector and the balance to go afloat, with the cyber spots more or less set by major and the flight spots independent of major. That 80% headed to the fleet needs to fill deck watch and engineering roles, but to be honest those junior officer roles really won't use a lot of your academics. Many of those deck spots are going to be filled by MES and ORDA types, and even the engineering jobs aren't going to make much use of the specifics of civil or naval engineering. Later on you may find your way towards a career path that uses your degree, but often you will not. There are plenty of stories around here where New London represented the last hint of electrical engineering or fish kissing in a career. You may find a life in aviation or aboard a cutter to be all you could ask for, or you could do something that there is no major for like recruiting, training or public affairs. Life unfolds at its own pace, so stay open-minded.

But your major does make a difference in the admissions process, so pick one you're genuinely interested in. School is hard enough without the extra problem of not liking the subject you'll be elbows deep in for three years. Be honest with yourself too, since it is hard to change to a very different major and still have any chance of graduating in four years. Many courses in engineering have to be taken in order and you won't have the luxury of a fifth year for do-overs. That's one of the reasons they try to keep some room in the mgmt and gov majors: you can take a lot of those courses concurrently or out of order in the event you wash out of EE and you need to catch up in a new place. That's nearly impossible if you started in, say, mgmt or MES and tried to go back and overload in an engineering track. Food for thought.

As usual this is excellent info from @StPaulDad .

First assignments are just that and have very little to do with major and almost everything to do with your class rank. Aviation and Cyber have in person interviews, but other than that class rank rules the day for now. When I watched Billet night last year, I believe only one of the 6 or 7 that went to Cyber was a actual Cyber major as an example. But your degree choice does point you to possible second and third assignments. All engineering majors will take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam prior to graduating beginning their 4 year journey to become a Professional Engineer (PE) if so inclined. Some of the traditional undersubscribed majors historically have been Electrical Engineering (EE) and Operations Research and Data Analytics (ORDA), but they are pretty demanding with a lot of math and computer programming. Your undergrad degree will also have a bearing on what grad school options are available if you stay past your 5 year commitment or if you get out. For example it is challenging to attend a Graduate Engineering degree with a non-engineering BS.

All that said, choice of major is one of the few decisions you can make as an applicant to the academy and you should be true to yourself, your interests, and your abilities that way you have the best chance of enjoying your Academy time and performing well which will lead to a higher GPA and class rank which will then give you the best chance of getting the first assignment of your choice to begin your career.

Best of luck!

 

[Iblameej]

As usual this is excellent info from @StPaulDad .

First assignments are just that and have very little to do with major and almost everything to do with your class rank. Aviation and Cyber have in person interviews, but other than that class rank rules the day for now. When I watched Billet night last year, I believe only one of the 6 or 7 that went to Cyber was a actual Cyber major as an example. But your degree choice does point you to possible second and third assignments. All engineering majors will take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam prior to graduating beginning their 4 year journey to become a Professional Engineer (PE) if so inclined. Some of the traditional undersubscribed majors historically have been Electrical Engineering (EE) and Operations Research and Data Analytics (ORDA), but they are pretty demanding with a lot of math and computer programming. Your undergrad degree will also have a bearing on what grad school options are available if you stay past your 5 year commitment or if you get out. For example it is challenging to attend a Graduate Engineering degree with a non-engineering BS.

All that said, choice of major is one of the few decisions you can make as an applicant to the academy and you should be true to yourself, your interests, and your abilities that way you have the best chance of enjoying your Academy time and performing well which will lead to a higher GPA and class rank which will then give you the best chance of getting the first assignment of your choice to begin your career.

Best of luck!

Is it true, that management is one of the more competitive majors to get accepted into? Someone said that a few years ago…..

 

[CGA Admissions Partner]

Is it true, that management is one of the more competitive majors to get accepted into? Someone said that a few years ago…..

One of the things I have heard in the many AO briefings I have listened to is to select the major where your application will shine. If you have a passion for government or management and that shows in your high school activities, then it makes you a stronger candidate for one of those majors, where you might not be as competitive if you are applying for engineering because you think that's what they want. You do have to be able to pass calculus and physics, but if you don't love them, you don't necessarily want to do the deep dive into them you would have to do in an engineering major. There are limited opportunities to change majors, so apply where you would be happy.

 

[CGA17]

There should be some nexus between major and personal statements and the holistic package. You can be a mechanical / electrical / cyber / government / insert engineer anywhere, WHY does it have to be CGA? I am under the impression it is a factor. Tell the story why one of CGA’s schools and respective major can help you achieve your goals and meet service needs in the essays and package. Why must it be cga when you could easily go to USNA, AFROTC, or insert school here?