AIM Selections?

[lanyc2026]

My 2025 DD had to take virtual back during covid days. It probably wasn't as great as live, but she met people she stayed in touch with, did an interview that was used for her application, got a good taste of the culture and had several chances at Q&A sessions, large and small, to have many subjects illuminated for her.

The virtual sessions allow USCGA to include far more attendees, so for anyone who can't afford the travel, or who has already been on campus, or who might only fit the session into their schedule if the travel days are lopped off the ends it is a great option. It was certainly worth her time, so sign up for virtual. But if you'd be willing to slide into a live session at the last second you might try to let admissions know in case a spot opens.

Absolutely agree with this take! My cadet was placed in virtual and while it was a bit disappointing he was able to still compare "academy cultures" (he also was in the virtual USNA Summer Session), make connections with others, show interest in the Academy, and do his interview. If you have any interest in the USCGA, definitely jump into that virtual session and then try and attend a Bears Day or Cadet for a Day as well.

One of my takeaways after hearing from Admissions was that the USCGA absolutely takes applicant interest into consideration and attending any USCGA event is seen as a plus!

 

[scprepoh]

One interesting note on AIM in relation to other visits. It is my understanding that one difference between Navy summer seminar and AIM. NASS was explained as having almost zero influence on your application as opposed to AIM where there is some amount of evaluation beyond the interview.

 

[RMK800]

My son was very disappointed he was selected for virtual. When he applied his SAT was a 1270 and GPA 3.8. He is a 3 year varsity football player(started as a freshmen), became a private pilot at the minimum age of 17 and is involved in student council. After submitting his AIM application he bumped his SAT to 1380. We contacted his AO who informed us that his sophomore grades in Honors Chemistry B+ and his sophomore Algebra 2 B+(first semester) A (second semester) grades were the reason he was not selected to AIMs. He currently has a A+ in Trig/ Pre Calc and an A in Physics. We are very concerned that this sophomore year slip-up might be a fatal flaw in his application. Does anyone else have a hiccup in their grades and still earned an appointment?

 

[scprepoh]

The academies love a strong finisher. Keep plugging away and good things will happen.

 

[ProudMom7]

My son was very disappointed he was selected for virtual. When he applied his SAT was a 1270 and GPA 3.8. He is a 3 year varsity football player(started as a freshmen), became a private pilot at the minimum age of 17 and is involved in student council. After submitting his AIM application he bumped his SAT to 1380. We contacted his AO who informed us that his sophomore grades in Honors Chemistry B+ and his sophomore Algebra 2 B+(first semester) A (second semester) grades were the reason he was not selected to AIMs. He currently has a A+ in Trig/ Pre Calc and an A in Physics. We are very concerned that this sophomore year slip-up might be a fatal flaw in his application. Does anyone else have a hiccup in their grades and still earned an appointment?

Most accepted cadets do not have an unweighted 4.0. Yes, a lot of them do, but many do not. Two B+ grades are not going to be his downfall. What did his junior schedule look like? What does his senior schedule look like? Is he taking the hardest STEM classes available to him? It sounds like he is well-rounded, but he needs to be able to show leadership. He probably has that from student council or other things, but he needs to be able to express it in his application. He needs good essays that show what is unique about him. If he hopes to play football at USCGA, has he reached out to the coach? Hopefully he has teachers that can write him solid recommendations. Has he practiced the PFE to know his score and what he should work on? It's great that he improved his SAT. Can he improve it more? He should attend the virtual AIM and he could also sign up for a Cadet for a Day or Bear Day. Showing interest in CGA is a big factor. There are so many factors that go into an application, so he just needs to do everything he can to put forth his best application.

 

[27BearDad]

My son was very disappointed he was selected for virtual. When he applied his SAT was a 1270 and GPA 3.8. He is a 3 year varsity football player(started as a freshmen), became a private pilot at the minimum age of 17 and is involved in student council. After submitting his AIM application he bumped his SAT to 1380. We contacted his AO who informed us that his sophomore grades in Honors Chemistry B+ and his sophomore Algebra 2 B+(first semester) A (second semester) grades were the reason he was not selected to AIMs. He currently has a A+ in Trig/ Pre Calc and an A in Physics. We are very concerned that this sophomore year slip-up might be a fatal flaw in his application. Does anyone else have a hiccup in their grades and still earned an appointment?

I wouldn’t worry too much. Remember, a virtual a lot is by no means a rejection, AND AIM selection period, is no indicator of appointment. There are probably a couple thousand applicants for limited slots. I’m sure it’s a case where the AO just had to come up with something to tell him.

I was worried because junior year (right before academy applications) my daughter had the worst year of her high school career. It was by no means “bad”, but 5 A- (including honors chem and honors Trig) and a B in Spanish. Came out to a 3.56. Again, not horrible, but it sort of showed a decline in grades from 9th to 11th which I was all worried about. And believe me, rookie prospective academy parents tend to worry about EVERYTHING! Anyway, she received her appointment first week of EA notifications and couldn’t be better!

Has he been in contact with the football coach or being recruited for football? If not, he needs to. A Coach can’t get you in, but it helps to ne a recruited athlete and they assign a 0,1 or 2 score to you regarding “how good you are” (for lack of a better term) on your admissions profile.

Be sure the extracurriculars are solid. Student council is good. Leadership out in the community is always favorable as well.

 

[BeachBum]

My son was very disappointed he was selected for virtual. When he applied his SAT was a 1270 and GPA 3.8. He is a 3 year varsity football player(started as a freshmen), became a private pilot at the minimum age of 17 and is involved in student council. After submitting his AIM application he bumped his SAT to 1380. We contacted his AO who informed us that his sophomore grades in Honors Chemistry B+ and his sophomore Algebra 2 B+(first semester) A (second semester) grades were the reason he was not selected to AIMs. He currently has a A+ in Trig/ Pre Calc and an A in Physics. We are very concerned that this sophomore year slip-up might be a fatal flaw in his application. Does anyone else have a hiccup in their grades and still earned an appointment?

I am hesitant to post because I don't know if it will make you feel better or worse.... My daughter was accepted to in-person and does not have tippy-top stats. She is a good student but she does have 85s and 88s on her report card. She took the ACT and again, did not excel but, but has a solid score (she just received her 2nd score and showed improvement). She is a varsity athlete and in band, and has a few other ECs.

Last year this time we did not even know the Coast Guard had an academy (LOL). We recognized my daughter did not have top stats, but as we continued to investigate, on thing we kept hearing (and this was in reference to all the academies) - "Until they tell you No - it is still a yes". So she just kept moving forward.

If I had to guess what stood out with my daughter's app - it was her essay. We reinforced she had 500 words to tell a story about herself and why, but only read it right before submission. I was really impressed (and not just because I am a parent) with how she put the pieces together of "Who Am I - What is AIM - The Coast Guard Mission".

 

[27BearDad]

If I had to guess what stood out with my daughter's app - it was her essay. We reinforced she had 500 words to tell a story about herself and why, but only read it right before submission. I was really impressed (and not just because I am a parent) with how she put the pieces together of "Who Am I - What is AIM - The Coast Guard Mission".

I totally agree with you. I think the essays are incredibly important. 500 words are not much at all to tell a story. Some of the academy app essays are only 250! Each word needs to be meaningful. I was very impressed with my daughter’s essays as well. We proofread them of course, but I believed her message would really resonate.

 

[StPaulDad]

I never saw any of my kids' apps to anything, but I raised some stubborn kids that write well, so poking my nose into stuff like their essays would not be constructive. They've done pretty well so far.

One thing that stuck with my DD and I after visiting campus and talking to an AO was something he said: "The Coast Guard loves people that love the Coast Guard." If you're just out for an opportunity at any SA to serve and help pay for college then falling all over yourself to profess undying devotion to the orange and blue might come across as false. But if you are only applying to USCGA then don't be afraid to say so: fly that flag and let them know this is what you want and you'll just be reapplying next year if you don't get it this time. And if you don't get it and you still think this is your place then contact Admissions and get a review of your app, find out what to work on, and then come back again. That action will speak louder than any essay.

EDIT: This is just the AIM process, so it's not the end of the world if you don't get in. Plenty of AIM attendees go elsewhere for school and many of the class of 2028 won't have been at AIM. It's a great way to get a feel for swab summer and the larger academy, but honestly you'll learn more about being a student if you go to a Bear's Day campus visit. Swab summer is definitely a big thing, but seeing the campus in it's regular form and attending class and chatting with students will be way different than getting yelled at in an authentic tshirt and hanging out with a bunch of other high school kids. Take advantage of whatever you can reach, but missing AIM in no way diminishes your chances of getting in.

 

[FutureAcademyDad?]

...One thing that stuck with my DD and I after visiting campus and talking to an AO was something he said: "The Coast Guard loves people that love the Coast Guard." If you're just out for an opportunity at any SA to serve and help pay for college then falling all over yourself to profess undying devotion to the orange and blue might come across as false. But if you are only applying to USCGA then don't be afraid to say so...

Exactly this.

DD2 only applied to USCGA and made sure that they knew she was all in and that if she received an offer of appointment she would absolutely accept.

I am pretty sure that her laser focus was a factor in why she was part of the first tranche of '26 applicants to receive an offer. Certainly not the only factor, but it likely played a part.

 

[27BearDad]

DD2 only applied to USCGA and made sure that they knew she was all in and that if she received an offer of appointment she would absolutely accept.

I am pretty sure that her laser focus was a factor in why she was part of the first tranche of '26 applicants to receive an offer. Certainly not the only factor, but it likely played a part.

That's a very good point. My daughter is fixated on earning a commission in the Coast Guard itself. All her primary college options (USCGA, USMMA, select SMCs) were pathways to that goal with CGA being number 1. She wrote about it extensively. She got a call the very first day EA kids were being contacted. Again, just a single piece of the puzzle, but likely a factor.

 

[coastiehopeful]

Hi all, just to add my perspective. I applied to AIM in 2018 and got waitlisted and never pulled off. I live pretty close to the academy so I ended up doing the cadet for a day they offered instead. I got in to CGA early admission and graduate on Wednesday. Don't let not getting into AIM deter you from applying if you really want to come here.

Best of luck to those attending however- its a fun program and you definitely learn a lot!

 

[2025USCGAMom]

My DD is Cadre for AIM this summer. She also attended AIM few years back and says it was the event that solidified her desire to be at the Academy. Make the most of the week, take it all in, and Congratulations on your acceptance!

 

[2025USCGAMom]

That's a very good point. My daughter is fixated on earning a commission in the Coast Guard itself. All her primary college options (USCGA, USMMA, select SMCs) were pathways to that goal with CGA being number 1. She wrote about it extensively. She got a call the very first day EA kids were being contacted. Again, just a single piece of the puzzle, but likely a factor.

Definitely a big part of the process that USCGA admissions notices is "level of interest" of the applicant. We were lucky enough to live close so that we could attend every admissions event opportunity. Ask your admissions officer about the Genesis weekend as well.

 

[2025USCGAMom]

I know what you’re saying. He actually got into the USNA summer seminar, so he will be attending that one. He applied to AIM because he’s a USMMA hopeful. They don’t have a summer program so they recommend attending AIM instead. Hence, the “not sure it’s worth it.” I thought maybe he’d be inspired to also consider the USCGA if he attended AIM, but this is truly his decision. Mom and dad are supportive but not driving the bus. He would have liked to have done both camps in person. He is thankful for what he did get.

Kudos to you for "not driving the bus." Too many parents push their kids and most cadets who feel forced will not stay for the duration. You are doing your son a service by supporting him in this way. Bravo Zulu!

 

[2025USCGAMom]

My son was very disappointed he was selected for virtual. When he applied his SAT was a 1270 and GPA 3.8. He is a 3 year varsity football player(started as a freshmen), became a private pilot at the minimum age of 17 and is involved in student council. After submitting his AIM application he bumped his SAT to 1380. We contacted his AO who informed us that his sophomore grades in Honors Chemistry B+ and his sophomore Algebra 2 B+(first semester) A (second semester) grades were the reason he was not selected to AIMs. He currently has a A+ in Trig/ Pre Calc and an A in Physics. We are very concerned that this sophomore year slip-up might be a fatal flaw in his application. Does anyone else have a hiccup in their grades and still earned an appointment?

My daughter's grades and classes were not as advanced as your son's. But the level of interest she showed, and the amount of contact she had with her admin officer to get feedback on how she could improve her standing made a difference. She worked with her admin officer when choosing her classes for her senior year. Her drive to continually improve her scores academically and physically (and not necessarily the actual scores) are what tipped the scales for her (according to her admin officer).

 

[BulldogST]

Has anyone gotten an invite yet to move from virtual to in-person AIM?

 

[BulldogST]

Has anyone gotten an invite yet to move from virtual to in-person AIM?

Anyone???? Trying to find out if they (admissions) are reaching out to the folks on the waitlist yet to invite them to in-person AIM sessions. Has anyone been contacted?

 

[RMK800]

My son is on the waitlist and we have not heard anything, I suspect the best chance will be after tomorrows deadline to pay. We are kinda figuring if we don't hear by Friday it's pretty slim he will get. His AO told us that a similar demographic must dropout for them to pick up our son. Seems kinda slim chance that another male from Colorado will drop out. Just my two cents!

 

[BulldogST]

My son is on the waitlist and we have not heard anything, I suspect the best chance will be after tomorrows deadline to pay. We are kinda figuring if we don't hear by Friday it's pretty slim he will get. His AO told us that a similar demographic must dropout for them to pick up our son. Seems kinda slim chance that another male from Colorado will drop out. Just my two cents!

Good info! Thank you!