AIMster's Experience??

kbat said:
Our DD was in AIM1, and is nearly done with her application (she planning to sit on it for a few weeks to ensure it's exactly how she wants to submit it). She was planning to use her PFE score from AIM, any idea how that's done? She saw in the application it who she would have to submit an email addy for this recommendation/score. Any insight? Thanks, and she had an incredible week!
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It's great that she is so excited to apply and is almost done with her application. BUT, as long as she submits by the early action deadline, there isn't a huge rush to get it in early. If she feels that it is complete and there is nothing else that she could add based on the next couple months, then sure, she should go ahead and submit and it puts her in the queue. But if she might be taking the SATs or ACTs again or might want to retake the PFE to improve her score, she can wait to submit (as long as she gets it in by the EA deadline). Even after submitting, she can continue to send updates to her AO if she has anything significant to report (1st quarter grades, selected captain or her sports team, improved PFE score, improved SAT/ACT score, etc...)
 
I am a former AIMster who’s now a youngster at USNA. I honestly think that AIM was the hardest week of my life. I got the full shock and awe factor there and showing up on deck for the first time on I-day during plebe summer was just like slipping back into AIM.

As others have mentioned the experience your DD got at AIM is only really reflective of the first seven weeks at USCGA (or any other academy). While your 4/C year is hard, it is no where near as locked on as the summer.

I will also say that our Battalion AIM Officer (the cadet in charge of AIM) said that he came out of AIM non total shock and never in a million years wanting to go to USCGA. A year later, however, he had changed his mind and he is now an Ensign. Things can and do change between now and May.

I would encourage your DD to keep moving forward in the application process. The yelling is all part of the process and I know many great midshipmen who could keep their eyes in the boat to save their lives during plebe summer. None of that is reflective of your aptitude to be a good officer. AIM is certainly a reality check, but once you get through that first summer, the grass is definitely greener.
 
kbat said:
She was planning to use her PFE score from AIM, any idea how that's done? She saw in the application it who she would have to submit an email addy for this recommendation/score. Any insight?
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These instructions are from the Recommendations section of the application: If you completed the Physical Fitness Examination while attending AIM and would like to use those results and not retake the exam, you must list "AIM Program" as the name of your PFE Administrator and "AIMPFE@uscga.edu" as the e-mail address.

If your question is how she can confirm what her PFE score from AIM is or wants advice on whether or not to retake it, she should contact her Admissions Officer.
 
VAcadetmom said:
They explained to the AIMsters how to identify that they would like to use their AIM PFE during one of the Admissions sessions, but if she doesn't remember, have her reach out to her AO. I was there and can't remember exactly, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't as exhausted as the AIMsters wer
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Objee said:
These instructions are from the Recommendations section of the application: If you completed the Physical Fitness Examination while attending AIM and would like to use those results and not retake the exam, you must list "AIM Program" as the name of your PFE Administrator and "AIMPFE@uscga.edu" as the e-mail address.

If your question is how she can confirm what her PFE score from AIM is or wants advice on whether or not to retake it, she should contact her Admissions Officer.
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Thank you, this answers exactly what I was looking for. I'll advise her. She vaguely remembered the instructions at AIM but some thing are a blur from the week.
 
ProudMom7 said:
It's great that she is so excited to apply and is almost done with her application. BUT, as long as she submits by the early action deadline, there isn't a huge rush to get it in early. If she feels that it is complete and there is nothing else that she could add based on the next couple months, then sure, she should go ahead and submit and it puts her in the queue. But if she might be taking the SATs or ACTs again or might want to retake the PFE to improve her score, she can wait to submit (as long as she gets it in by the EA deadline). Even after submitting, she can continue to send updates to her AO if she has anything significant to report (1st quarter grades, selected captain or her sports team, improved PFE score, improved SAT/ACT score, etc...)
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Thank you, we agree that there is no huge rush. She simply wanted all that can be done, done prior to returning to school when life gets very, very hectic. She's sitting on it for several weeks due to more exams, and frankly why not. Her intention is late Sept. for her completed package. We support her in this. She will take additional exams after the close of EA as well, and will send those after the fact.
 
ProudMom7 said:
There is now a Facebook group for week 3 in addition to photos by ‘pduddy pics’. . The group is: United States Coast Guard Academy AIM Week Three 2023
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Thank you for this! Was able to find my DD in some of the pictures… looks like she doesn’t love the heat and humidity 🤣
 
kbat said:
Our DD was in AIM1, and is nearly done with her application (she planning to sit on it for a few weeks to ensure it's exactly how she wants to submit it). She was planning to use her PFE score from AIM, any idea how that's done? She saw in the application it who she would have to submit an email addy for this recommendation/score. Any insight? Thanks, and she had an incredible week!
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Unless it changed since last year's application, when you add providers for all the letters of rec, one of the things you add is a provider for PFE administration. When doing that, there's an option to use the AIM PFE and it inserts an email address for routing. Something along those lines. It'll be very clear when your daughter goes in to actually do it.
 
I had a daughter attend last year and a daughter attend this year, week one. Both LOVED the experience and it solidified their desire to attend a service academy. My daughter that attended last year is currently a plebe at USNA. When we got a chance to speak to her the first thing she said was that AIM really helped her the first few days of plebe summer. She already had a trial run at AIM. I also know a girl that went that hated it. I think it is a great program that USCGA offers.
 
I'm curious how this week's AIMsters are feeling about USCGA after the program...
 
jbm2m said:
I'm curious how this week's AIMsters are feeling about USCGA after the program...
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I can’t speak for everyone, but I know most of my aimsters were excited to apply. AIM does a great job at teaching you mental fortitude then forming a bond with your shipmates and cadre. I know there were at least two aimsters who were staying late and started working on their application right there in Chase Hall.
 
BeachBum said:
My daughter did the first week of AIM. We emphasized it would be hard, had her read past threads on different experiences - she was nervous going into it. She didn't *hate* it but is now not sure if this is something she wants to pursue. She admitted she struggled to keep her eyes in the boat and was apparently yelled at quite a bit LOL. We are not sure if this is normal self-doubt or if this a good indication of needing to look for other opportunities. We have frequently heard stories of the kid going to AIM and it 'sealed-the-deal' of wanting to apply so looking for some feedback from those that have been there, done that. Thanks
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My son went to AIM in gosh, 2014 or 2015. This DID seal the deal for him as he absolutely loved it. He wanted to go into the military since he was about 10--- He watched videos and such to prepare himself mentally. Yes, he, and others were yelled at quite a bit. Unfortunately, when it was time to apply, he did not get accepted but this put him on a new military path, which worked out beautifully.
 
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