Chatter, Congrats & Questions 2026 USCGA Appointment Thread

Not always. It can vary, so do keep checking your email and Bear's Den (just not compulsively.)

EDIT: Last year there were a bunch in the last week of March and they did call because it was so close to their deadline. Maybe go spend some time looking at the end of the appointment threads from the past few years to get a feel for the pace, but do so in the knowledge that the past few years were not quite normal and there will be change. Not helpful, I know, but it's waiting season and this is the job at hand.
 
CGA2026 said:
Wanted to share this with the community with regards to our timeline:

DS got deferred during EA. DS not recruited as an athlete. Got a call from the AO a week ago or so ago letting DS knows that he has a conditional appointment pending medical waiver and the waiver process has been started. The DOD medical website changed to under waiver review. A week or so later DS got an email letting him know that he got the waiver and another email stating that he was accepted. DOD website changed status to Waiver granted. Bear Den portal posted the appointment letter.

Good luck to all waiting.
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Thanks for the info! When did your DS portal change from showing the deferred decision from EA? My DD was also deferred and the Bear's Den just keeps showing the deferred decision with no change. Any help is appreciated.
 
Mamahopeful said:
Thanks for the info! When did your DS portal change from showing the deferred decision from EA? My DD was also deferred and the Bear's Den just keeps showing the deferred decision with no change. Any help is appreciated.
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No change until a decision was made and then there was the acceptance letter. We realized that it was changed b/c the posted date on the website is more recent (vs. the posted date of the deferred letter).

Good luck.
 
dakiti~ said:
I'm curious, does USCGA admission consider geographical distribution since it doesn't require nomination?

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At the Bear's Day we went to, they indicated the geography could play a factor. Like being from somewhere they don't have many cadets or candidates, could give you something that others don't have.
 
CGA2026 said:
No change until a decision was made and then there was the acceptance letter. We realized that it was changed b/c the posted date on the website is more recent (vs. the posted date of the deferred letter).

Good luck.
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Did y’all just check daily (That’s what I’ve been doing) or did you get a call from an AO?
 
“NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The United States Coast Guard Academy swore in 283 cadets including, eight international cadets today into the Class of 2025, and 176 of those are athletes coming from 34 different states.”

This was an excerpt of a posting from the USCGA website welcoming the class of 2025 on 6/28/2021. I would say that, given that they specifically mention state distribution, it’s something they consider.
 
dakiti~ said:
I'm curious, does USCGA admission consider geographical distribution since it doesn't require nomination?

​

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Posting from my son’s account: 100%, geographical distribution of the incoming corps of cadets is definitely an appointment determining factor. As a USCGA Class of 2025 parent, I attended, in-person, all of the parent briefings during R-day (induction day). During the parent briefings, geographical considerations as an appointment consideration we’re mentioned by three speakers, including the Admissions Officer. Service Academies receive funding from the DOD, and for USCGA, from DHS. Since Congress funds these government entities, the service academy staff go way out of their way to ensure that the appointees are from as broad a range of geographical locations as possible. Basically, congressmen and women enjoy seeing people from their state (and especially from their district) enrolled at service academies. You’d be surprised how often various Congressmen and women attend regimental reviews, academy functions, etc. as guests of honor. During these visits, some Congressmen and women actually specifically request to meet and chat with cadets from their state or congressional district. So, yes, broad-based geographical representation is an important factor. Also, USCGA (and other service academies) value diversity. Obviously, the main diversity categories are gender, race, and ethnicity. However, there is also geographical diversity. Having a corps of cadets from all over the nation adds ”spice to the mix,” allowing for diversity of thought and experiences.
 
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2026CGA said:
do they ask for interviews during regular action?
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They only ask for interviews if they need additional information. I didn't need a interview while I know friends from AIM that did need a interview. It doesn't indicate anything if you do or don't get one. Good Luck!
 
2026CGA said:
do they ask for interviews during regular action?
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Yes - some people from regular admissions were interviewed. Not everyone. It is up to Admissions to decide if an interview is needed. The applicant can also request an interview.
 
ProudMom7 said:
It is up to Admissions to decide if an interview is needed. The applicant can also request an interview.
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First I've heard of that.
I would love to be interviewed. How would one request an interview?
I don't believe the essays, give enough of a picture of who I am and why I want to be a career CG officer, so I'd love to elaborate.
 
GeorgiaGus said:
First I've heard of that.
I would love to be interviewed. How would one request an interview?
I don't believe the essays, give enough of a picture of who I am and why I want to be a career CG officer, so I'd love to elaborate.
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I thought that I remembered there being a check box somewhere on my daughter's application or on her Bear's Den account (she is class of 2024) to ask if she wanted to request an interview.

I'm a USCGA Admissions Partner and one of our jobs is conducting applicant interviews, but that is only after the list has been generated by the Admissions Office. Admissions has always said in our training that applicants can request an interview. I would call your AO to ask. However, it may be too late at this point since April 1 is around the corner and I haven't seen a new list lately. We conducted some interviews virtually though so I suppose it still might be possible.

When we are conducting interviews, we do not have the applicant's application. The applicant is free to give us anything they want or to tell us all of their stats, but the point is for us to get an impression of the applicant based on the interview alone. It also gives the applicant a chance to present any information that they couldn't fit in the application. USCGA is looking for well-rounded individuals and is looking for those who they believe would be a good fit at USCGA. That is part of what we are trying to get from an interview. What is the applicant passionate about? What drives them? Are they excited about possibly attending USCGA? Do we think they would be a good fit for USCGA and would thrive there?
We then submit our input and it is added to the applicant's application along with everything else.
 
ProudMom7 said:
I thought that I remembered there being a check box somewhere on my daughter's application or on her Bear's Den account (she is class of 2024) to ask if she wanted to request an interview.

I'm a USCGA Admissions Partner and one of our jobs is conducting applicant interviews, but that is only after the list has been generated by the Admissions Office. Admissions has always said in our training that applicants can request an interview. I would call your AO to ask. However, it may be too late at this point since April 1 is around the corner and I haven't seen a new list lately. We conducted some interviews virtually though so I suppose it still might be possible.

When we are conducting interviews, we do not have the applicant's application. The applicant is free to give us anything they want or to tell us all of their stats, but the point is for us to get an impression of the applicant based on the interview alone. It also gives the applicant a chance to present any information that they couldn't fit in the application. USCGA is looking for well-rounded individuals and is looking for those who they believe would be a good fit at USCGA. That is part of what we are trying to get from an interview. What is the applicant passionate about? What drives them? Are they excited about possibly attending USCGA? Do we think they would be a good fit for USCGA and would thrive there?
We then submit our input and it is added to the applicant's application along with everything else.
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So would not getting requested for an interview be a bad sign?
 
Do we know if they have informed those who have been denied at this point? Or does that come out at the end?
 
No word on denials. At least I haven’t see any since EA. There should be a good amount of activity through the end of March.
 
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