datemplet011
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2021
- Messages
- 4
Hi All,
I'm currently a college freshman in Boston and applying to the USCGA this year. I've been around the forums throughout high school, but didn't actually finish my application last year, and chose to go to music school instead (very different path -- I know). While in college, I've decided that the CG is what I want to do, whether it be through the Academy, OCS, or enlistment after college.
I'm just curious if anyone has specific info for what my strategy should be to create as competitive of an application as possible. I see my biggest weaknesses being my current major (music performance), which obviously doesn't have the STEM courses that admissions would really like to see in my transcript. I've made sure to mention this in my essays and make my case for why it still shows high academic rigor, albeit not in the same ways. Similarly, my athletics in HS and in college have been drumline and marching band, which to most seem very lacking (which is understandable). I've also made sure to make my case in the essays about the high level of commitment, teamwork, and leadership of these activities, as well as their athletic components. I understand any other sport would be held in much higher regard; however, I don't see myself dropping this and taking up an entirely new sport just for the sake of looking better on paper, so I'll stick to my intuition on staying with marching band and aiming for above a 225 on the PFE. I'd still be very appreciative of any thoughts or feedback though!
I am now very much committed to the CG, so I am definitely willing to keep applying until I age out. If I don't get accepted this year, I will be changing my major to Marine Science to reflect what I want to pursue in the CG. I have considered transferring to UMass Boston because of its eligibility for CSPI, but I would have to go into some hefty debt, which would then make me ineligible for reapplying to the Academy in subsequent years. So, the current plan is staying at my present university and keep applying until I graduate, and if I don't end up getting accepted, put in an OCS package and if that fails, just enlisting.
Sorry for the boringness/length, just interested in others' thoughts and opinions on improving myself. Many thanks! Also, congrats to the soon-to-be-appointed from Early Action!
I'm currently a college freshman in Boston and applying to the USCGA this year. I've been around the forums throughout high school, but didn't actually finish my application last year, and chose to go to music school instead (very different path -- I know). While in college, I've decided that the CG is what I want to do, whether it be through the Academy, OCS, or enlistment after college.
I'm just curious if anyone has specific info for what my strategy should be to create as competitive of an application as possible. I see my biggest weaknesses being my current major (music performance), which obviously doesn't have the STEM courses that admissions would really like to see in my transcript. I've made sure to mention this in my essays and make my case for why it still shows high academic rigor, albeit not in the same ways. Similarly, my athletics in HS and in college have been drumline and marching band, which to most seem very lacking (which is understandable). I've also made sure to make my case in the essays about the high level of commitment, teamwork, and leadership of these activities, as well as their athletic components. I understand any other sport would be held in much higher regard; however, I don't see myself dropping this and taking up an entirely new sport just for the sake of looking better on paper, so I'll stick to my intuition on staying with marching band and aiming for above a 225 on the PFE. I'd still be very appreciative of any thoughts or feedback though!
I am now very much committed to the CG, so I am definitely willing to keep applying until I age out. If I don't get accepted this year, I will be changing my major to Marine Science to reflect what I want to pursue in the CG. I have considered transferring to UMass Boston because of its eligibility for CSPI, but I would have to go into some hefty debt, which would then make me ineligible for reapplying to the Academy in subsequent years. So, the current plan is staying at my present university and keep applying until I graduate, and if I don't end up getting accepted, put in an OCS package and if that fails, just enlisting.
Sorry for the boringness/length, just interested in others' thoughts and opinions on improving myself. Many thanks! Also, congrats to the soon-to-be-appointed from Early Action!