Class of 2026 Waitlist

[MommaMax]

I wanted to start this thread because I have questions about being waitlisted that may or may not be able to be answered. I understand that we will not hear anything until after May 1st when those who got appointments need to decide whether or not they accept. Is there a set number of applicants who get waitlisted or just those the USCGA feels are eligible for appointment? When do we find out how many are potentially going to get calls? When will those calls be starting? My DD has accepted the waitlist offer. Her plan B is to enlist in the Coast Guard. If she enlists and then gets an appointment does one cancel out the other? She will be contacting her recruiter and AO to let them both know where she stands. Another couple months of waiting but if an appointment comes from it, it will be worth it.

 

[ProudMom7]

I wanted to start this thread because I have questions about being waitlisted that may or may not be able to be answered. I understand that we will not hear anything until after May 1st when those who got appointments need to decide whether or not they accept. Is there a set number of applicants who get waitlisted or just those the USCGA feels are eligible for appointment? When do we find out how many are potentially going to get calls? When will those calls be starting? My DD has accepted the waitlist offer. Her plan B is to enlist in the Coast Guard. If she enlists and then gets an appointment does one cancel out the other? She will be contacting her recruiter and AO to let them both know where she stands. Another couple months of waiting but if an appointment comes from it, it will be worth it.

It all comes down to how many people who have offers end up declining and *how quickly* they decline those appointments. Everyone has until 1 May and they should not feel rushed to make their decision. However, if somebody knows they have made a decision, it helps others on the waitlist if they let USCGA know their decision as soon as they have decided.

Applicants are also pulled from the waitlist if a large number of applicants who were given conditional offers do not end up getting a medical waiver. Some people on the waitlist might not find out until June.

 

[ProudMom7]

It all comes down to how many people who have offers end up declining and *how quickly* they decline those appointments. Everyone has until 1 May and they should not feel rushed to make their decision. However, if somebody knows they have made a decision, it helps others on the waitlist if they let USCGA know their decision as soon as they have decided.

Applicants are also pulled from the waitlist if a large number of applicants who were given conditional offers do not end up getting a medical waiver. Some people on the waitlist might not find out until June.

I can no longer edit, but wanted to clarify that USCGA always offers more appointments than the number of spots they have available since they know historically the approximate percentage who will decline. So one person declining does not mean a spot on the waitlist opens up. They would need to have a higher than expected number decline in order for that to really impact the waitlist. I think the medical waivers being denied have the biggest impact on the waitlist.

 

[lanyc2026]

We were waitlisted as well. Reading through the Waitlist for 2025 was very helpful but I am also glad that you started a new thread for 2026 as I am sure there are differences every year! Still hopeful but also going ahead with Plan B while we wait.

 

[Justin HELPmomStocksPosts]

I was also waitlisted

 

[hopefulmominla]

The other thing to remember is there are so many different scenarios to people who received appointments. For some USCGA is there back up, for some they did a prep year and reapplied but may change their mind (I know several scholars kids who ended up passing on an appointment and going a different direction) some may be waiting on other SA s to answer them, some won’t medically qualify…so really who knows all there is to do is wait and move ahead with plan b.

My dd was waitlisted , today we were at her plan b preview day which is a prep school and I can’t even tell you how many current cadets we spoke w who had applied to multiple SA s May have a yes from 1 but it’s not really the one they want.

 

[Imtheflash1977]

I was also waitlisted

Curious how did you know you were for sure wait listed? We still haven't heard anything and our DS has had 2 nominations since he got the fully qualified letter back in December that said:

As soon as we receive your official nomination, it will be posted on the 'Overview' page of your candidate portal. Although most offers of admission will be tendered before 1 May 2022, final selection from the waiting list may be made only a few days before the class enters

 

[dakiti~]

Curious how did you know you were for sure wait listed? We still haven't heard anything and our DS has had 2 nominations since he got the fully qualified letter back in December that said:

As soon as we receive your official nomination, it will be posted on the 'Overview' page of your candidate portal. Although most offers of admission will be tendered before 1 May 2022, final selection from the waiting list may be made only a few days before the class enters

Are you mentioning it for USCGA application? It doesn't need a congressional nomination, which is the only Service Academy no nomination requirement.

You can find the result from Bear Den portal, a screenshot below.

 

[dakiti~]

I wanted to start this thread because I have questions about being waitlisted that may or may not be able to be answered. I understand that we will not hear anything until after May 1st when those who got appointments need to decide whether or not they accept. Is there a set number of applicants who get waitlisted or just those the USCGA feels are eligible for appointment? When do we find out how many are potentially going to get calls? When will those calls be starting? My DD has accepted the waitlist offer. Her plan B is to enlist in the Coast Guard. If she enlists and then gets an appointment does one cancel out the other? She will be contacting her recruiter and AO to let them both know where she stands. Another couple months of waiting but if an appointment comes from it, it will be worth it.

I don't know the reason either, but I also think there are some applicants overqualified that USCGA feel they may be accepted by other SAs and won't go to USCGA. Maybe the academy considers yield protection as well.

Try to send some updates that your DD achieves and show her continuing interests in the academy. I guess this is the last we can do. Hope the best!

 

[Korab]

I don't know the reason either, but I also think there are some applicants overqualified that USCGA feel they may be accepted by other SAs and won't go to USCGA. Maybe the academy considers yield protection as well.

Try to send some updates that your DD achieves and show her continuing interests in the academy. I guess this is the last we can do. Hope the best!

Overqualified for CGA? I presume you would view yourself in that category if you are rejected? That’s pretty arrogant. If you are lucky enough to be appointed, and you decide to accept the challenge, prepare for a big plate of humble pie.

If you haven’t heard already, though, you are likely to go hungry.

 

[hopefulmominla]

Overqualified for CGA? I presume you would view yourself in that category if you are rejected? That’s pretty arrogant. If you are lucky enough to be appointed, and you decide to accept the challenge, prepare for a big plate of humble pie.

If you haven’t heard already, though, you are likely to go hungry.

I’m assuming they meant overqualified for scholars

 

[Korab]

I’m assuming they meant overqualified for scholars

That’s not what s/he meant at all. S/he was talking about protecting yield by rejecting overqualified candidates who in her view would decline an appointment. SA’s don’t have to protect their yield - that’s a private school thing.

 

[almondqqq]

I don't know the reason either, but I also think there are some applicants overqualified that USCGA feel they may be accepted by other SAs and won't go to USCGA. Maybe the academy considers yield protection as well.

Try to send some updates that your DD achieves and show her continuing interests in the academy. I guess this is the last we can do. Hope the best!

I doubt people would be rejected based on overqualified, especially in the SAs. They want the best of the best, not people who are most likely to join as their only option. They have no incentives like private schools of having a "low" acceptance rate. I've seen many of my friends getting appointment from 2-3 Academies. If you would want the reasoning of their decision, you might want to email them to schedule a meeting to discuss your application. USCGA is good as in it is smaller than schools and they can talk to you in-depth on why they made their decision.

 

[EV-73]

That’s not what s/he meant at all. S/he was talking about protecting yield by rejecting overqualified candidates who in her view would decline an appointment. SA’s don’t have to protect their yield - that’s a private school thing.

And a University of California thing (at least seemed to be the case this year and last)

 

[Heatherg21]

I would say that SA’s are an animal unique to themselves.

I am fairly certain they do not reject overqualified candidates.

Finding 1100 plus each year who commit to the rigor of an SA schedule and the expectation of commitment to lead others in uniform and meet conduct and honor standards is no small feat. When they say this isn’t *college, they aren’t joking.

Service Academies and their admission process is determined by Congress.

 

[justdoit19]

I don't know the reason either, but I also think there are some applicants overqualified that USCGA feel they may be accepted by other SAs and won't go to USCGA. Maybe the academy considers yield protection as well.

Try to send some updates that your DD achieves and show her continuing interests in the academy. I guess this is the last we can do. Hope the best!

This is just a wrong statement. Completely off base.

 

[MommaMax]

Does anyone know if needing a medical waiver would affect whether or not someone would get pulled from the waitlist? My DD needs a waiver for her eyesight.

 

[WP93LA]

Major choice also plays a big role in the appointment process. My DS was on the waitlist as a Management major and after discussing what he can do to improve his chances for selection his AO recommended changing first choice for major to an Engineering field. He changed it and a few days later he was offered an appointment.

 

[Colorado2026]

Major choice also plays a big role in the appointment process. My DS was on the waitlist as a Management major and after discussing what he can do to improve his chances for selection his AO recommended changing first choice for major to an Engineering field. He changed it and a few days later he was offered an appointment.

Interesting. Especially since they can change their major once they are there.

 

[WP93LA]

Interesting. Especially since they can change their major once they are there.

Not so easy to change from Engineering to Management or Government once at the Academy. Slots in Management and Government are held for cadets with GPAs below 2.0 which is a requirement for graduation.