My son was virtual as well and now received his appointment this spring! Just in case your son needs reassurance The virtual program was much better than we had anticipated.Virtual for my son, with the waitlist for in-person.
My son was virtual as well and now received his appointment this spring! Just in case your son needs reassurance The virtual program was much better than we had anticipated.Virtual for my son, with the waitlist for in-person.
FWIW, my understanding is that AIM and academy admissions have such different criteria that acceptance or rejection for AIM is basically irrelevant to odds of admissions.My son was virtual as well and now received his appointment this spring! Just in case your son needs reassurance The virtual program was much better than we had anticipated.
I wouldn't say irrelevant. Your performance at AIM is evaluated. You do an interview, the PFE and you are evaluated by the cadre. Also going to AIM helps you understand the CG ethos better, which will help when filling out you application. It's certainly not the biggest factor for admission to the academy, but unlike the other academy experiences AIM can have a positive or negative impact on your admission odds.FWIW, my understanding is that AIM and academy admissions have such different criteria that acceptance or rejection for AIM is basically irrelevant to odds of admissions.
Applying to AIM, regardless of result (in-person, virtual, or rejection), helps with admissions as it shows active interest in the academy and the coast guard.
I second this, it's not irrelevant, and I don't think it's solely for engagement or interest showing to the CGA. It's an intimate look at potential applicants under duress, in practical team building exercises, in heavy physical exercise, etc.I wouldn't say irrelevant. Your performance at AIM is evaluated. You do an interview, the PFE and you are evaluated by the cadre. Also going to AIM helps you understand the CG ethos better, which will help when filling out you application. It's certainly not the biggest factor for admission to the academy, but unlike the other academy experiences AIM can have a positive or negative impact on your admission odds.
Totally agree with this! My son choked on a chunk of food at dinner bc a cadre startled him and they had to do the Heimlick on him! They offered him a sash to wear on his arm to take it easy the next few days but he declined. His cadre came up to me at the grad ceremony and apologized about not noticing he was choking but also complimenting my son on his grit and dedication. An unfortunate incident made him stand out in a great way. He also just accepted an appointment for fall.I second this, it's not irrelevant, and I don't think it's solely for engagement or interest showing to the CGA. It's an intimate look at potential applicants under duress, in practical team building exercises, in heavy physical exercise, etc.
DD was voted aimster of the week by her cadre due to her leadership, willingness, ability to accept and apply information, stress management, engagement, ethos, etc (for the record she was not the most athletic on PFE, nor was she a stem whiz). Each platoon cadre put forth their two recommendations for the LOA at grad, then of those voted by cadre as a whole. At grad, two (m&f) will be offered (at least that's what happened last year). My daughter was not the best, of the best. However, her cadre saw something in her that 30-35 other kids in her platoon didn't show. AIM gave this opportunity to set her apart from every other applicant on paper. This happens in a positive or negative manner, to a degree, for all who attend.
Cadre recommendation alone, and her whole week evaluation certainly helped her appointment. Her recruited coach was over the moon at the write up, and her aim evaluations (he was able to see it but DD was not). I strongly believe, if cadre do not see what the feel is a "good fit" for the CG leadership, they have a duty to report it, because all feelings aside... Their life may depend on it. Cadre told us this at grad, after letting us know she was their recommendation for the LOA.
Further, the week was eye opening. It will either make of break a decision to apply (which should only be that of the cadet candidate). Flip side, those who do not attend aim, one way or another, don't have the possibility of a negative review! That may work in their favor (think about a kid sick at aim and trying to push through, off their game, shell shocked, jet lagged, etc).
Probably not irrelevant depending on the person but for my son, it was pretty disappointing not getting to go. We don't live near the academy and don't have the means to hop on a plane to go for a weekend to visit so his showing up 7/1 is going to be completely new in person AIM would have been amazingFWIW, my understanding is that AIM and academy admissions have such different criteria that acceptance or rejection for AIM is basically irrelevant to odds of admissions.
Applying to AIM, regardless of result (in-person, virtual, or rejection), helps with admissions as it shows active interest in the academy and the coast guard.
Don't worry - my son (current 2C) did not attend AIM (didn't even apply) and his first glance of the Academy is when he showed up for a couple events the day before reporting for swab summer. We're from out west and couldn't drop by for any kind of visit either. The Academy is a great place; your son will love it, even sight unseen!Probably not irrelevant depending on the person but for my son, it was pretty disappointing not getting to go. We don't live near the academy and don't have the means to hop on a plane to go for a weekend to visit so his showing up 7/1 is going to be completely new in person AIM would have been amazing