Chances at USCGA?

Strength and Honor

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Little back story: I was mainly interested in Army ROTC. However, I was at a friend's house whose dad attended USNA, and he immediately recommended USCGA to me. He said he would have gone there if he could do it again, and made me sit down and check out the website. I know I'm probably late applying, but chance me?

I'm a rising senior with a 3.83 GPA and a 29 composite ACT (33E, 33R, 28S, 22M). I'll be taking 2 AP classes this year (Biology, Spanish) and I'm in the top 20% of my class.

I have 2 Varsity letter in tennis and was a co-captain senior year, I played 2 years of football and one year of basketball, and I go to kickboxing classes twice a week. I also participate in 5k and 8k runs my town puts on, and lift weights every day.

I have over 90 volunteer hours at my local hospital, officer in NHS chapter, active member of church youth group, and I also co-organized a school clean up day and spaghetti dinner for senior citizens.

I think I can get a great LOR from my English teacher, and my math one should be good as well. Listed my major as Marine Science.
 
Stats look good. Math score is weak though. That may be an issue. You are not too late for EA2 or regular admission.

Just curious...what reasons did your friends dad give for saying he would have chosen USCGA over USNA if he could do it over?
 
I can't claim to be a CGA expert but a review of their admissions pages tells me your competitive. You should apply. Keep in mind it's more competitive than the other service academy's. Looks like 1 in 20 applicants gets accepted if their number of applicants is truly accurate. Of course, and I'm sure you've heard this here before, the only way you don't stand a chance is not to apply.

I thought I would include this info in case you had missed it.
Q: What are the deadlines for application?
A: To qualify for the Early Action program, all of your forms must arrive at the admissions office by October 15 for Early Action Group One or November 15 for Early Action Group Two. Otherwise, all forms must be received by our office by February 1.

If you're going to do it, I would recommend you get on it right away. :thumb:

PS. You've been around here long enough that I wouldn't have thought you would even ask this question. :confused: Or was it just for some reassurance? (Which I can understand). Plus, I doubt your friends Dad would have recommended CGA if he didn't think you were a qualified applicant. He knows you better than we do! Good luck Strength and Honor!

PPS. I agree with grevar on the math score. I was focused on the overall ACT.
 
Kinnem: I mainly asked this because I always considered the service academies to be on an Ivy-League type level, which I'm sure they are, but I didn't trust the website I looked on that said the average ACT for appointment was a 27. Just clarifying I guess!

Grevar: His dad spent 20 years in the Marines as a combat engineer, and said that most of it was spent in pretty nasty places training for a possible war, while the Coast Guard gets to apply their training almost every day.

Thanks for the advice though, it means a lot. I guess I'll get going on the application right now!
 
Just a question: how much does missing the first EA date hurt you?

I have two of my three LOR's complete, and still need to upload my essays and do the PFE. Considering its all due by October 15, I'd have to really push these next few days. Is it worth rushing everything along to make it, or should I be sure it's all perfect and just wait for the EA2 (Nov 15) date?
 
Absolutely not. There is no advantage or disadvantage to applying in any of the groups (EA 1, EA 2 or Regular Action). The most important thing is to make sure your application is the best that it can be. If that means waiting, then wait.
 
They take nearly 50% of the class in early action 1.there is a major advantage barring your application is complete.
 
Q: Is there an advantage to applying for Early Action?
A: There is no disadvantage to applying for Early Action. If you receive an appointment through Early Action, it is non-binding and you have until May 1 to accept the offer. Approximately 40-50% of the incoming class is appointed under Early Action.
 
I'll certainly get in in by the EA2 date. I'll just do that and take my chances, if I get deferred to RD (likely), it is what it is!
 
I'm not certain but I don't think there is a deferral to RA if you apply to either EA. It is possible to be wait listed from either EA 1 or 2 but not deferred. You will know your fate but you won't be deferred from EA to RA.

That's the way it was explained to us at all of the parent briefs. They used to defer but no longer.
 
I'm not certain but I don't think there is a deferral to RA if you apply to either EA. It is possible to be wait listed from either EA 1 or 2 but not deferred. You will know your fate but you won't be deferred from EA to RA.

That's the way it was explained to us at all of the parent briefs. They used to defer but no longer.

Ahh okay, so the give you THE decision by a certain date no matter what?
 
Yes. The EA2 deadline is Nov 15. You will have a decision by Feb 1. The decision will be either an Appointment, not selected, wait listed or possibly an appointment to CGA Scholars. You won't be deferred to Regular Admissions.
 
Q: Is there an advantage to applying for Early Action?
A: There is no disadvantage to applying for Early Action. If you receive an appointment through Early Action, it is non-binding and you have until May 1 to accept the offer. Approximately 40-50% of the incoming class is appointed under Early Action.

OK, now I see. What you've posted here is substantially different that what you originally posted.
 
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