AIM 2014

As I am sure you can read in other online comparisons between AIM and NASS, they are markedly differently. We did our research in advance and no matter how much I tried to prepare my DS mentally for what I knew AIM would be like, the experience for him was shall we say very different than he expected.

He attended NASS first, in mid June of last year. He love NASS and following its completion, he was 100% sure the Naval Academy was where he wanted to attend. I believe there were something like 700 or 800 kids in each NASS Session and it was really designed to show off the best parts of the Academy. In no sense was it a "taste" of what Plebe Summer is, nor is it really designed that way. In comparison, I believe it to me more of a recruiting tool as opposed to a pre-screening tool that I think AIM really is. For example, at NASS, there is a 30 minute session on the last full day where the kids are actually treated like fresh new plebes. Keep in mind that they have spent all week developing relationships with their "detailers" so the 30 minute session at the end was actually comical for most of them. Our DS described NASS as one of the best summer camps he had ever attended. He loved it.

Believe it or not, he had almost considered not attending AIM after going to NASS as he was sure he wanted to go to the Naval Academy. But, we already had the tickets booked and paid for, both for him and for us when we went to pick him up at the end.

About a month after NASS, he attended the first session of AIM last year. Unlike NASS, we had NO contact with him during the week. They were allowed to have their phones at NASS....not at AIM. When we picked him up, the transformation was remarkable, even after a week. Our DS is really a polite kid to begin with, but the "Yes Sirs" and "Yes Ma'ms" were flowing freely. It took him two days after being home just to stop "squaring his corners" He described the experience as one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experience of his 18 years. He could not get over the differences in the programs, and following AIM, he was even more sure he wanted to attend USNA as I think he was convinced Plebe Summer would not be as hard as Swab Summer, based on his comparison of the two. Of course we know that not to be true, right?

Apparently the AIM Cadre and staff saw something in him that we still wonder about because he was one of only five to receive an LOA following AIM. Now, I know he is my kid, and a great kid, but really? I asked him what did he do, how did he act during AIM that made him stand out? He really couldn't (or wouldn't) explain other than too say he tried to make it all about the team, encouraging others, working together, etc. I would have liked to see that for myself.

Things for him started to change in the Fall of last year, after another visit to the CGA and USNA for candidate visits. Then came visits to two operational Coast Guard Units and his chance to talk to recent Alumni. Not to mention, personal contact from the Lacrosse Coach at CGA. He became convinced that while maybe not the "popular" decision in this part of the country, he was choosing USCGA over USNA and NROTC because for him, it was the right thing to do. Even after receiving an LOA for USNA, and subsequently the required nomination, his decision didn't waiver.

I believe the USNA is doing candidates a disservice by not giving them a realistic taste of what plebe summer will be like. USCGA has it right. I believe that kids that have experienced it, even on a small one-week scale, will be more mentally prepared for the "wrath that is to come" with Swab Summer. It would be be interesting to know the stats about the washouts during Swab Summer. I would bet that the majority of them DID NOT attend AIM and had no idea what to expect. I believe this is why the CGA puts great emphasis on AIM candidates. While certainly many have gotten in without AIM attendance, I believe that 40 something percent of accepted candidates attended AIM.

Hope this information helps. I know that reading these forums during the past 12 months has been so incredibly helpful to both my son and his parents.

Best of luck to all of you applying to AIM. Do your absolute best on the application, essays, etc. If you make it, great! If not, don't give up!

This is a really helpful email. I'm a teacher and I've had kids attend NASS (a lot of them) and SLE (a fair amount) but none attend AIM. One potential AIMster has asked me for a recommendation so I'm glad to find out a bit more about the differences between AIM and the summer programs of the other academies.
 
As I am sure you can read in other online comparisons between AIM and NASS, they are markedly differently. We did our research in advance and no matter how much I tried to prepare my DS mentally for what I knew AIM would be like, the experience for him was shall we say very different than he expected.

He attended NASS first, in mid June of last year. He love NASS and following its completion, he was 100% sure the Naval Academy was where he wanted to attend. I believe there were something like 700 or 800 kids in each NASS Session and it was really designed to show off the best parts of the Academy. In no sense was it a "taste" of what Plebe Summer is, nor is it really designed that way. In comparison, I believe it to me more of a recruiting tool as opposed to a pre-screening tool that I think AIM really is. For example, at NASS, there is a 30 minute session on the last full day where the kids are actually treated like fresh new plebes. Keep in mind that they have spent all week developing relationships with their "detailers" so the 30 minute session at the end was actually comical for most of them. Our DS described NASS as one of the best summer camps he had ever attended. He loved it.

Believe it or not, he had almost considered not attending AIM after going to NASS as he was sure he wanted to go to the Naval Academy. But, we already had the tickets booked and paid for, both for him and for us when we went to pick him up at the end.

About a month after NASS, he attended the first session of AIM last year. Unlike NASS, we had NO contact with him during the week. They were allowed to have their phones at NASS....not at AIM. When we picked him up, the transformation was remarkable, even after a week. Our DS is really a polite kid to begin with, but the "Yes Sirs" and "Yes Ma'ms" were flowing freely. It took him two days after being home just to stop "squaring his corners" He described the experience as one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experience of his 18 years. He could not get over the differences in the programs, and following AIM, he was even more sure he wanted to attend USNA as I think he was convinced Plebe Summer would not be as hard as Swab Summer, based on his comparison of the two. Of course we know that not to be true, right?

Apparently the AIM Cadre and staff saw something in him that we still wonder about because he was one of only five to receive an LOA following AIM. Now, I know he is my kid, and a great kid, but really? I asked him what did he do, how did he act during AIM that made him stand out? He really couldn't (or wouldn't) explain other than too say he tried to make it all about the team, encouraging others, working together, etc. I would have liked to see that for myself.

Things for him started to change in the Fall of last year, after another visit to the CGA and USNA for candidate visits. Then came visits to two operational Coast Guard Units and his chance to talk to recent Alumni. Not to mention, personal contact from the Lacrosse Coach at CGA. He became convinced that while maybe not the "popular" decision in this part of the country, he was choosing USCGA over USNA and NROTC because for him, it was the right thing to do. Even after receiving an LOA for USNA, and subsequently the required nomination, his decision didn't waiver.

I believe the USNA is doing candidates a disservice by not giving them a realistic taste of what plebe summer will be like. USCGA has it right. I believe that kids that have experienced it, even on a small one-week scale, will be more mentally prepared for the "wrath that is to come" with Swab Summer. It would be be interesting to know the stats about the washouts during Swab Summer. I would bet that the majority of them DID NOT attend AIM and had no idea what to expect. I believe this is why the CGA puts great emphasis on AIM candidates. While certainly many have gotten in without AIM attendance, I believe that 40 something percent of accepted candidates attended AIM.

Hope this information helps. I know that reading these forums during the past 12 months has been so incredibly helpful to both my son and his parents.

Best of luck to all of you applying to AIM. Do your absolute best on the application, essays, etc. If you make it, great! If not, don't give up!

My DS also attended AIM Session 1 (Delta Company), but did not receive a spot at NASS. He has a buddy currently in Plebe year at USNA and is kind of leaning in that direction (although still on hold for LOA). He spoke about a conversation he had with another AIMSTER that did attend NASS and it sounds very similar to your DS's views (perhaps it was your DS).

DS did not care much for AIM day one and two, but at the end of the week, he said it all made sense and found it to be a very rewarding experience. BTW - DS did receive offer of full appointment at USCGA.
 
I'm new here on this site, but can hopefully help out with any questions concerning AIM vs. NASS. I attended NASS and AIM last summer - and there was a big difference in the two. Coast Guard was far more challenging and rewarding than Navy, and it seemed to me to be a lot closer to the real summer experience - we actually did some stuff with the swabs, as they had started only about a week before us. When I got to talk to some of them, the ones who had attended AIM said they were glad they did, and felt a lot more prepared for the real summer experience. Let me know if there are any specific questions, hopefully I can help.
 
Sent you PM srgdive! Congrats on your appointment!
 
Greetings

Hello,

First post on this forum! I visit frequently (what a wealth of information) and finally got to creating an account. I just submitted my app and am ticking off the days 'till April. Good luck to everybody -- I really hope all of you make it; and I mean it.

:thumb:
 
Welcome to the forum matty!
I have another quick question. For reporting my ACT score on the AIM app, do they want the combined english/writing score or the separate writing score?

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
DS reported combined English/writing score in that category...the writing score is merely your essay specific score. Most likely your transcript will have all your standardized test scores broken down by category anyway (if your school reports them).
 
Personal Statements

I wrote my 2 personal statements clearly and simply (hopefully effectively), but they were both about 3/5 of a page double spaced. Is this alright? I know I'm overreacting, and it's definitely fine, I just want to hear someone else say it. My parents don't really even know what AIM is. (they dont speak english) so no help from them haha
 
I wrote my 2 personal statements clearly and simply (hopefully effectively), but they were both about 3/5 of a page double spaced. Is this alright? I know I'm overreacting, and it's definitely fine, I just want to hear someone else say it. My parents don't really even know what AIM is. (they dont speak english) so no help from them haha

Yep, that should be fine! As long as they were clear, concise and to the point. Remember, you want to make your statements stand out from the crowd, especially when it comes to the real application come next August.

Best of luck to you. My DS will be a Swab there during AIM. He will be the one sweating his A$$ off!
 
Is a physical fitness test given at AIM? I read that during the swab summer, a test is given for push-ups, sit-ups and 1.5 mile run, but I wasn't sure if one is given during AIM. I have a friend who applied to AIM for 2014.

bandad
 
The Physical Fitness Exam, or PFE, is administered during AIM. It is the same on that is administered many times throughout swab summer and then once a semester for your entire cadet career. The one you run through during AIM can be used as the exam submitted when applying to the Academy.
 
Will the PFE effect your acceptance chance into the academy? I mean like if Sue scores a 40/50 and Mike scores a 49/50, and they both have the same credentials, will mike have an advantage? Thnaks.
 
Well because it is a measure of your physical fitness, which the Admissions board takes into account, they don't have the same credentials. Mike would technically be a little more competitive than Sue because of the higher score. Men and women are scored on different scales for the run and push-ups to account for biological differences. However, I don't work for Admissions so I can't say who would be accepted over the other. Each individual is different.
 
Yep, that should be fine! As long as they were clear, concise and to the point. Remember, you want to make your statements stand out from the crowd, especially when it comes to the real application come next August.

Best of luck to you. My DS will be a Swab there during AIM. He will be the one sweating his A$$ off!

Thanks grevar. congratulations on your sons appointment!
 
Hello everybody! I've finally signed up after lurking around these forums for a while. :rolleyes:
I just submitted my AIM application, so now all I can do is wait.
 
Hello everybody! I've finally signed up after lurking around these forums for a while. :rolleyes:
I just submitted my AIM application, so now all I can do is wait.

Best of luck Jess! Your trip on this incredible ride is just starting. Hold on! Time goes very fast. This is a great place to start. Read all you can. So many of your questions can be answered on this forum by so many helpful people.
 
Best of luck Jess! Your trip on this incredible ride is just starting. Hold on! Time goes very fast. This is a great place to start. Read all you can. So many of your questions can be answered on this forum by so many helpful people.

Thank you very much grevar! Yes I agree, time does go very fast. I can't wait to talk to people here who have the same interests as I do. Also, congratulations to your son for being accepted to the USCGA Class of 2018. :smile:
 
Will the PFE effect your acceptance chance into the academy? I mean like if Sue scores a 40/50 and Mike scores a 49/50, and they both have the same credentials, will mike have an advantage? Thnaks.
From what I heard, the CGA admissions places greater weight on the PFA done during AIM than what is submitted by your coach, etc. I guess they think the way the test is administered by people other than the CGA is not quite the same results as when they control it.

So, start working out now! The more you are in shape for AIM the easier the week will be.

Howard
 
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