Chance of getting into USCGA?

MLynn99

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May 10, 2016
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21
I was just accepted to their AIM program which has given me the confidence that I'm doing something right, but I figured I'd still ask.

I have a 4.0/4.1 cumulative GPA. I've taken biology, environmental science, and chemistry and will be taking honors physics next year. For math I've taken alg. 2, geometry, and pre-calc, and will be taking calc next year. I've been in honors history and English since 7th grade and took AP English this year. I'll be taking AP Eng and APUSH next year. I've only taken practice ACT's (composite of 26) and SAT's (1250/1520). I know it doesn't really count but I don't imagine that it hurts that I received an 85 on the ASVAB. And I believe I'm in the top 5% of my class (168).

I've gotten most of my community service by participating on my town's junior ambulance squad.

I've been varsity marching band since 8th grade, JV softball 9th/10th, xc and winter track this year, and will participate in probably 3-4 more sports next year.

I also maintain working 16-20 hours a week.

Also let me know if you'll be at the first week of the AIM program this summer! :)
 
The working 16-20 hours per week will be very important to mention on your app, receiving good grades and being active in leadership/athletics are important, but with working as well it is all the more important.
You need to definitely work on your ACT/SATs, there are many people on here that don't even get waitlisted with Composite ACT of 30, so keep going and good luck!! You need leadership, find a club or activity you like, become a leader-not just a member, the SA's really look for that.
 
The working 16-20 hours per week will be very important to mention on your app, receiving good grades and being active in leadership/athletics are important, but with working as well it is all the more important.
You need to definitely work on your ACT/SATs, there are many people on here that don't even get waitlisted with Composite ACT of 30, so keep going and good luck!! You need leadership, find a club or activity you like, become a leader-not just a member, the SA's really look for that.

Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely working on that.
 
Hello, I'm a 2020 appointee. I had a 30 ACT and was a recruited athlete, so if you can, consider recruitment. Coach's recommendation can really make a difference, when you're put head-to-head with applicants very similar to you that don't have a coach's recommendation. I don't know how seriously you play or are good at softball or XC/track, but if you are good and eager enough to play the sport in college, coaches can come to appreciate that. My PFE score was definitely not outstanding, and I regret not training harder for that (I did my PFE with practically no training. When I found out I got in, I've been training every single day w/ long runs and core exercises -- I plan on taking the PFE as much as I can after the school year ends.) so if you have the opportunity, train for it by running like 2 miles as much as you can and practicing doing 2 minutes of push-ups and sit-ups! If you run 2 miles easily, then 1.5 is nothing. The more outstanding your PFE score is, the less you have to worry about your physical ability holding back your application. Additionally, LEADERSHIP. I was super involved as leaders in all sorts of activities at school, and I spoke a lot about personal experiences I had and how that lead me to desire becoming an officer. If CGA is your top choice school and you would attend no-questions-asked, express that and BE PROACTIVE WITH YOUR ADMISSIONS OFFICER. In fact, maybe even start now. Contact them and introduce yourself, and ask for any advice if you can. If CGA, like I said, is your top choice - tell them that: "The US Coast Guard Academy is my top choice and I want to know what I can do to improve my chances of getting into it or it's prep school." Some kids apply to academies because their parents want them to (but they don't really want to go) or because it's just a school they'd like the choice of going to - and then they get into another school they'd rather go to more. Admissions officers may reject an overqualified candidate because they probably wouldn't come if they were accepted. So if you express you would go if accepted, AO's will have that in mind when you apply.

Good luck!!!
 
Those preliminary are scores are low. I'm wondering why you haven't taken either test yet? Now your time for improving and retaking is limited.

As I tell kids that ask this question, your competition is severe. You face an uphill battle. Not meant to discourage, just a dose of reality to inspire you to dig in if you really want it.

Here is one example: I know a kid that was an eagle scout, had his private pilot's license, scored over 2100 combined SAT, 4.0 gpa, was a multiple letterman and team captain, and he did not get an offer of appointment.

Sometimes, candidates that meet the unpublished minimums for academics get in because their competition was weak. It happens. It depends on your state snd district. You're a girl. That helps (arguable, but my opinion)

Bear down and do your best. Not much in your posted info is remarkable. Most or at least many of the kids you'll compete against will have better academic numbers. Hopefully you can raise those.

You say you'll participate in 3-4 sports next year and maintain 16-20 hours of work each week. How is that done? Working 4 hours a night after practice? When would you do homework, etc? That is a lot of hours for a varsity, year round athlete to work.

The CGA does like people that manage their time well while being involved in lots of activities. That sounds like you.

Good luck!
 
Questions like this are a complete waste of time to ask and to answer. The answer:No. One. Knows.
It would be as worthwhile to ask why an applicant with >700 on all three sections of the SAT (twice), two varsity letters cross country, ten years of USTA/competitive tennis, boys state with elected positions, top 3% class rank at a top rated school, ten AP classes, never any grade less than an A, second place in an international science competition (over 50 teams), president of the school Orchestra, first chair cello, school tutor,
speaks three languages including french and chinese, national honor society, president of English honor society, member of math, language, physics and other honor societies , years of youth ministry, many hours or volunteer activities, writer for school newspaper, and on and on etc. would be rejected from USNA and waitlisted by USGCA? Why, I don't know. Not a recruited athlete, nor an unrepresented minority. Maybe that's why. Maybe not. I don't know. No one can answer your question. Just an example of your competition. Good luck.
 
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Hello, I'm a 2020 appointee. I had a 30 ACT and was a recruited athlete, so if you can, consider recruitment. Coach's recommendation can really make a difference, when you're put head-to-head with applicants very similar to you that don't have a coach's recommendation. I don't know how seriously you play or are good at softball or XC/track, but if you are good and eager enough to play the sport in college, coaches can come to appreciate that. My PFE score was definitely not outstanding, and I regret not training harder for that (I did my PFE with practically no training. When I found out I got in, I've been training every single day w/ long runs and core exercises -- I plan on taking the PFE as much as I can after the school year ends.) so if you have the opportunity, train for it by running like 2 miles as much as you can and practicing doing 2 minutes of push-ups and sit-ups! If you run 2 miles easily, then 1.5 is nothing. The more outstanding your PFE score is, the less you have to worry about your physical ability holding back your application. Additionally, LEADERSHIP. I was super involved as leaders in all sorts of activities at school, and I spoke a lot about personal experiences I had and how that lead me to desire becoming an officer. If CGA is your top choice school and you would attend no-questions-asked, express that and BE PROACTIVE WITH YOUR ADMISSIONS OFFICER. In fact, maybe even start now. Contact them and introduce yourself, and ask for any advice if you can. If CGA, like I said, is your top choice - tell them that: "The US Coast Guard Academy is my top choice and I want to know what I can do to improve my chances of getting into it or it's prep school." Some kids apply to academies because their parents want them to (but they don't really want to go) or because it's just a school they'd like the choice of going to - and then they get into another school they'd rather go to more. Admissions officers may reject an overqualified candidate because they probably wouldn't come if they were accepted. So if you express you would go if accepted, AO's will have that in mind when you apply.

Good luck!!!

Thanks for the advice! Not sure if you know, but what's the best way to get in touch with the recruiters? My softball and track skills are average, but with how I'm training and from my previous season I think I have a shot for XC.
 
For 2020, I believe the coach was looking at track / XC times close to milesplit national 2 standard. I base that on the numbers my DS was given as examples of what the coach was looking for. For example a boy 5k Xc would need to be around 16:30 and a girl around 19:45. However these can change from year to year based on competition (who is applying) and whether the team has a spot.
 
No one can say what your chances are. There are too many variables, and the CCEB looks at many things besides numbers.

Except that your chances are zero if you don't apply.
 
Thanks for the advice! Not sure if you know, but what's the best way to get in touch with the recruiters? My softball and track skills are average, but with how I'm training and from my previous season I think I have a shot for XC.
For sports recruitment. Do a google search on "Coast Guard Academy recruit me" - this also applies to the other academies. It provides the link to the page where an athelete can select their sports and then enter personal results which are sent onto the coaches for recruitment.
Coaches contact information is also listed on uscgasports.com.
At my DS High School State Final in XC, last year, USMA coach was actively recruiting the top runners at the end of the meet so you never know where you might run into a recruiter.
 
For 2020, I believe the coach was looking at track / XC times close to milesplit national 2 standard. I base that on the numbers my DS was given as examples of what the coach was looking for. For example a boy 5k Xc would need to be around 16:30 and a girl around 19:45. However these can change from year to year based on competition (who is applying) and whether the team has a spot.

Thanks!
For sports recruitment. Do a google search on "Coast Guard Academy recruit me" - this also applies to the other academies. It provides the link to the page where an athelete can select their sports and then enter personal results which are sent onto the coaches for recruitment.
Coaches contact information is also listed on uscgasports.com.
At my DS High School State Final in XC, last year, USMA coach was actively recruiting the top runners at the end of the meet so you never know where you might run into a recruiter.

Thanks! That's kind of the reason I ask because I go to such a small school that while we're usually league and county champs, we've never made it to state finals.
 

Practice. All swabs will be tested again at the beginning of swab summer, and I would like to start off with a good score right off the bat. Additionally, I will be taking the PFE when I'm at the academy once a semester, and it's good exercise since we'll be doing lots of running and push ups...I don't see a reason not to!
 
Thanks for the advice! Not sure if you know, but what's the best way to get in touch with the recruiters? My softball and track skills are average, but with how I'm training and from my previous season I think I have a shot for XC.

Start off with a simple email to the coach. Introduce yourself, express your interest in CGA, and attach a resume with your general info (height/weight/DOB/etc.), ECA's, high school schedule (namely, junior and senior year), and even a transcript if you can (if you can't, then just give an overview of your grades and GPA), and your standardized testing scores (ACT/SAT, if both are good then tell them both - it's not like a 30 ACT vs a 2000 SAT will make any difference to them.) Give a reason for wanting to attend CGA and do your sport. Coaches at the academy love to meet new recruits, and the coach should respond soon and ask if you want to set up a visit for CFAD. I went to a special CFAD event just for recruited athletes, but even for normal CFAD they will try to pair you with someone who does your sport so you can see the coach during activities period. Since it's summer, that opportunity is not really available, so if I were you I would plan on emailing the coach around end of August/early September to plan a visit. If the coach does not respond after two weeks, just forward the same email again - sometimes emails get lost and they don't get the opportunity to see it. Don't freight! Good luck.
 
Start off with a simple email to the coach. Introduce yourself, express your interest in CGA, and attach a resume with your general info (height/weight/DOB/etc.), ECA's, high school schedule (namely, junior and senior year), and even a transcript if you can (if you can't, then just give an overview of your grades and GPA), and your standardized testing scores (ACT/SAT, if both are good then tell them both - it's not like a 30 ACT vs a 2000 SAT will make any difference to them.) Give a reason for wanting to attend CGA and do your sport. Coaches at the academy love to meet new recruits, and the coach should respond soon and ask if you want to set up a visit for CFAD. I went to a special CFAD event just for recruited athletes, but even for normal CFAD they will try to pair you with someone who does your sport so you can see the coach during activities period. Since it's summer, that opportunity is not really available, so if I were you I would plan on emailing the coach around end of August/early September to plan a visit. If the coach does not respond after two weeks, just forward the same email again - sometimes emails get lost and they don't get the opportunity to see it. Don't freight! Good luck.

Thanks so much! That's really helpful and I definitely will shoot them an e-mail towards the end of the summer!
 
I agree with what every one has said. Certain things stand out to admissions, while even good test scores and extracurriculars might not stand out. All I can say is find a way to make your application unique. What do you do/have that nobody else does? Everybody who is accepted or even applies for that matter is an excellent student and usually possess qualifying character traits. But why are you different? Express that in your essays/resumes/etc. Being the smallest of the service academies and most selective (16% acceptance rate ), it is very difficult to get that acceptance letter. I agree with what others have said about sports recruiting as well. Every little push you have behind you just might set you over the edge and get you in. Good luck and hope it all works out for you.:)
 
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