FAL,
My son ( who was CFAD last week) suggests several things:
- arrive early and plan for heavy traffic on I-95 (this one is mine!
)
- dress nicely and be well groomed (We were surprised to see kids in tennis shoes, shaggy hair, head phones etc.
- you want to make a good impression!
- Don't bring too much stuff - the packing list is really all you will need.
-you'll be nervous, but try to be relaxed and be yourself. While CFAD is for you to evaluate the USCGA, they will also be evaluating you - this is a really serious commitment for both you and the Academy, so you'll want to present the true you.
-Bring some homework to work on while your Cadet is studying
-Bring questions - and tell your parents to bring questions, there is no better time!
-Try to pay attention to the people, the campus is nice, but it is the people that make the CGA- do you fit in there?
-Really try to evaluate if it is an environment that you will thrive in, and will you contribute positively to the Academy?
- Be humble, you won't impress anyone by bragging - the Cadets are the best of the best and beat out thousands of other applicants -you are obviously a good candidate or you wouldn't have been invited -
Good Luck, Our son was really impressed and is hopeful that he will be chosen part of the class of 2016