AIM 2014

Does anybody know how to check if we paid or not? I revisited the electronic enrollment form in order to see if I paid as I don't recall whether I did or not, and it just brings me back to the form which asks me to claim my spot in AIM (which I already did). I think I'll just call admissions tomorrow but just curious if anybody has a simple solution to finding out. Thanks!
 
For you people going in session 1 or 2 tell me how it goes -- without revealing anything too exciting.
 
Does anybody know how to check if we paid or not? I revisited the electronic enrollment form in order to see if I paid as I don't recall whether I did or not, and it just brings me back to the form which asks me to claim my spot in AIM (which I already did). I think I'll just call admissions tomorrow but just curious if anybody has a simple solution to finding out. Thanks!

You should have gotten an email from "support@applyyourself.com"

The body of it begins:

"Thank you for submitting you payment.

If you have not already done so, please make sure to return to your online application or enrollment form and finalize your submission by entering your signature, today's date, and then clicking the 'Submit' button.

Note: The payment is processed by Sallie Mae and your Credit Card Statement may show Sallie Mae as the Merchant. Funds are submitted to the College or University. For further questions please call 800-239-4211."

If you didn't get that email, perhaps try checking you credit card statement or call the 800 number they provided.
 
You should have gotten an email from "support@applyyourself.com"

The body of it begins:

"Thank you for submitting you payment.

If you have not already done so, please make sure to return to your online application or enrollment form and finalize your submission by entering your signature, today's date, and then clicking the 'Submit' button.

Note: The payment is processed by Sallie Mae and your Credit Card Statement may show Sallie Mae as the Merchant. Funds are submitted to the College or University. For further questions please call 800-239-4211."

If you didn't get that email, perhaps try checking you credit card statement or call the 800 number they provided.

Got it after a quick call to the USCGA Admissions Office today - thank you very much.
 
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!

Thank you, Grevar. Your post was very helpful!
 
Past Aimsters

My mom and sister are coming to pick me up and the graduation, how will they know what company I'm in? No phones! Also, can I take pain relievers freely?


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Usually, programs are given out to parents which identify the company that their child is in. Also, during the engineering competition, the parents are able to watch from above in one of the gyms and can usually find their son or daughter which will normally tell them what company they're in.

I can't remember the exact rules on pain relievers like advil or tyenol. You should be fine without it but if you really needed it, trainers are available to act as EMTs and could give it to you. When you check in, you'll meet with them at a station so I would bring it with you and then ask.
 
Session 2 & 3! You will have an awesome experience!! If you have any questions, let me know.


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Just dropped son off today for session #2 . Can't wait to hear all about it on Friday!


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Kind of a silly question, but I am assuming that there is no need for our DS to bring along a pillow for AIM?

(I believe the handbook lists to bring a pillowcase)
 
Back
Top