Deferred from EA. Next Steps?

Just an opinion, if you are wait listed, - every year folks debate the math on numbers applied/admitted/accepted/wait listed. Couple of points, because applicants must be medically cleared, and that process (medical waivers) goes deep into the admissions cycle, the odds of acceptance can be better than you think as long as you are still in the running. As waivers and appeals get denied, kids get injured playing senior year sports, and other accepted cadets notify USCGA they accepted another offer (as most kids have several offers), admissions adjusts from their wait list pool to compensate; it is truly a dynamic process from year to year. If you were deferred, follow the directions on your letter and add any information you can to address sports, leadership, PFE score increases, grades, and test scores. If your school provides mid-semester grades, forward them to your AO. Perseverance is a desirable trait in this endeavor.

If you have been accepted, congratulations! Enjoy senior year, but not too much as you will soon be filling out background clearance forms for your security clearance and appointment. Also, probably not the best idea to participate in extreme sports, as you have to report on June 29th and pass a physical, ready for swab summer.

Good luck to all!
 
How long will they accept new PFE and SAT scores? Is Jan 15 the deadline for those, or will they accept new scores until April 1 (or some other date)?
The deadline to submit updated standardized test scores and PFE results is February 1st, 2020!
 
It’s not all about grades and PFE. Does your DS/DD have leadership experience? That’s not something you can change with one 3 hour test. And that’s what the Academy is about. Creating Leaders for he Coast Guard.
Yes. He is capt of his team, NHS, volunteers with kids who have disabilities and tutoring/mentoring other students, outside employment, AP classes, etc...Very well rounded. We both feel that it was his SAT and PFE (taken at the end of summer) were what may have held him back. The AO indicated this as well. He has back up plans, but this is what he is really working for and is happy to work even harder to get it. So thankful to still be in the race! He will be touching base with his AO after the holidays to go over it all again.
And agree 100%, not all about grades...My father was in the USAF AND the USCG. I grew up with a strong leader and wonderful role model to say the least...
 
Last edited:
Does anyone know if the February ACT (the next standardized test) scores will be accepted?
The scores will come out a few weeks after February 1st... I know this is unlikely but, is it possible, like EA, we could continue to send improvements?
 
Does anybody know if there are students waitlisted for EA.? During EA are some applicants rejected or is everyone rolled over to RA.
Applicant Handbook said that 75-100 would be offered deferrals from EA. That range implies that a good half would be rejected at the EA stage.
 
How long will they accept new PFE and SAT scores? Is Jan 15 the deadline for those, or will they accept new scores until April 1 (or some other date)?
My DS reached out to his AO yesterday about submitting scores received after Feb 1st (ie Feb ACT), and was told that the deadline to submit any updates is Feb 1st.
 
Does anyone know count on EA - processed application, offered(including conditional), Deferred.?

What are the chances of getting an offer when deferred to RA?
 
On December 20, Objee (from USCGA Admissions) posted that there were 189 direct appointments and 40 CGAS appointments from the EA pool. Also, as I posted above, the Handbook states that they were expecting 75-100 deferrals from the EA pool to the RA pool. That is as much as I've been able to find responsive to your question. Haven't seen anything on total # of EA applicants, nor have I seen anything describing the chances of an offer when deferred to RA.
 
I had seen a presentation somewhere that said there were approximately 800 EA applicants. I started to do some math to help comment, but it's all too confusing to me... :(
 
One other mathematical observation regarding "chances" of those deferred from EA to RA. If you apply the numbers contained and linked in this thread: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/just-heard-from-admissions-officer.71106/, you should come up with somewhere around 310-320 direct appointments (excluding to or from CGAS) made when all is said and done. Then, if you deduct the 189 direct appointments made during EA, that leaves somewhere around 125 (+/-) direct appointments to be made from here on out. So out of the presumably 75-100 deferred, plus whatever number of applicants are added who apply post-EA (and I think the expected number referenced in the slide show was 1200), that leaves roughly a 10% direct appointment rate during the RA round.

Now in fairness, those who were deferred from EA to RA are likely on somewhat different footing since they have already been screened once and allowed to continue in the process, whereas the first-time RA applicants haven't been screened at all. But I have no idea what that distinction actually means when it comes to obtaining an appointment, which is really what I think your question is.

Hope that helps at least a little.
 
Thank you for the links and the math. Yes, it looks it is around a 10% chance.

Wish all the deserved to get in that 10%. Thank you!
 
My DD was Deferred from EA to RD. Curious about any opinions on Plan B's -- 1 year at a Public or Private College, Self Prep at Marion Military Inst., or other Maritime College... any knowledge of Massachusetts Maritime Academy? Is it a practical college to prep for USCGA? Chances of being accepted after 1 year at MMA?
 
My DD was Deferred from EA to RD. Curious about any opinions on Plan B's -- 1 year at a Public or Private College, Self Prep at Marion Military Inst., or other Maritime College... any knowledge of Massachusetts Maritime Academy? Is it a practical college to prep for USCGA? Chances of being accepted after 1 year at MMA?

MMA physical requirements aren’t as strict as SAs. Neither are their academics. I think for self prep you might want to go to any of the three schools for CGAS.
 
My DD was Deferred from EA to RD. Curious about any opinions on Plan B's -- 1 year at a Public or Private College, Self Prep at Marion Military Inst., or other Maritime College... any knowledge of Massachusetts Maritime Academy? Is it a practical college to prep for USCGA? Chances of being accepted after 1 year at MMA?
We are in the same boat (deferred from EA to RD), and while I certainly hope that my son gets an appointment, I would never recommend to him (and he's not considering as an option for himself) doing a year of college somewhere else and applying again. The SAs are a great option, but they are by no means the only great option. Indeed, my own father, a WP grad, consistently told me as I was preparing for and in college that he thought ROTC scholarships were "a better deal," as just one alternative, and I took that advice.
I was commissioned with a guy who spent our freshman year somewhat bemoaning that he hadn't gotten in to WP and considering reapplying. Well, he ultimately opted against it (this was the early '80s) and retired a few years ago as a Special Forces O-6. I'm quite sure in the fullness of time he didn't regret his choice. And I was commissioned with another guy who turned down WP, and I know he didn't regret his choice.
I would tell my own child if he asked to get on with life.
Just my $.02.
 
We are in the same boat (deferred from EA to RD), and while I certainly hope that my son gets an appointment, I would never recommend to him (and he's not considering as an option for himself) doing a year of college somewhere else and applying again. The SAs are a great option, but they are by no means the only great option. Indeed, my own father, a WP grad, consistently told me as I was preparing for and in college that he thought ROTC scholarships were "a better deal," as just one alternative, and I took that advice.
I was commissioned with a guy who spent our freshman year somewhat bemoaning that he hadn't gotten in to WP and considering reapplying. Well, he ultimately opted against it (this was the early '80s) and retired a few years ago as a Special Forces O-6. I'm quite sure in the fullness of time he didn't regret his choice. And I was commissioned with another guy who turned down WP, and I know he didn't regret his choice.
I would tell my own child if he asked to get on with life.
Just my $.02.
@franknd, would love to hear you elaborate as to why your WP grad dad thought ROTC was a “better deal”. Sounds like a really interesting perspective. Can you share?
 
@CGAdad - I was SUPER impressed with Mass Maritime. My DD was invited to visit as a recruited athlete and I had no idea what to expect. I never even heard of it. When we arrived, though, I was stunned by their organization and preparation. By far, it was the most informative and efficient tour she went on, SA’s included. (SUNY was incredible, too) They were so impressive that I secretly hoped that she might move it to her number one - knowing she could direct commission to USCG via MARGRAD. Ultimately, she opted out of applying because she learned that she couldn’t get her unlimited 3rd Mate license if she chose to Major in Marine Environmental Science. (SUNY Maritime allows it) That being said, Knowing what I do now? I ABSOLUTELY understand why someone might choose a Maritime Academy over a Service Academy. Guaranteed job placement at starting salaries that rival or surpass Ivy League graduates? Unique job opportunities all over the world? They know their mission and they are proud of it. I never had the feeling that it was a “SA step-child” but, rather, a terrific, well respected and high paying option for someone who is interested in life at Sea.

To be honest, I am a little confused why I don’t hear more talk about it on here. For those interested in the USCG career as an officer, the Maritime Academy MARGRAD program is an excellent choice to achieve that. ROTC/NROTC programs are excellent choices as well, however, they are geared toward other branches. If someone is committed to being a Coastie, MARGRAD, CSPI or enlistment (and then OCS) are all excellent potential pathways to consider.
 
@franknd, would love to hear you elaborate as to why your WP grad dad thought ROTC was a “better deal”. Sounds like a really interesting perspective. Can you share?
It is important to remember that he went to WP in a different era, all men, etc. He graduated just as the Korean War was winding up. And I should add that he was a career officer and remained fully invested in WP until his death. He treasured his classmates and class activities for six decades. And because of that I also love the place even though all I ever did was visit a few times. But he thought -- again, in those days -- that SAs stunted the maturation of their grads. In a nutshell, he thought that because ROTC was a normal college experience, ROTC officers graduated more mature. That, and I know he never cared for some of the hazing that went on, which he thought totally unnecessary.
 
It is important to remember that he went to WP in a different era, all men, etc. He graduated just as the Korean War was winding up. And I should add that he was a career officer and remained fully invested in WP until his death. He treasured his classmates and class activities for six decades. And because of that I also love the place even though all I ever did was visit a few times. But he thought -- again, in those days -- that SAs stunted the maturation of their grads. In a nutshell, he thought that because ROTC was a normal college experience, ROTC officers graduated more mature. That, and I know he never cared for some of the hazing that went on, which he thought totally unnecessary.
Thank you!
 
@CGAdad - I was SUPER impressed with Mass Maritime. My DD was invited to visit as a recruited athlete and I had no idea what to expect. I never even heard of it. When we arrived, though, I was stunned by their organization and preparation. By far, it was the most informative and efficient tour she went on, SA’s included. (SUNY was incredible, too) They were so impressive that I secretly hoped that she might move it to her number one - knowing she could direct commission to USCG via MARGRAD. Ultimately, she opted out of applying because she learned that she couldn’t get her unlimited 3rd Mate license if she chose to Major in Marine Environmental Science. (SUNY Maritime allows it) That being said, Knowing what I do now? I ABSOLUTELY understand why someone might choose a Maritime Academy over a Service Academy. Guaranteed job placement at starting salaries that rival or surpass Ivy League graduates? Unique job opportunities all over the world? They know their mission and they are proud of it. I never had the feeling that it was a “SA step-child” but, rather, a terrific, well respected and high paying option for someone who is interested in life at Sea.

To be honest, I am a little confused why I don’t hear more talk about it on here. For those interested in the USCG career as an officer, the Maritime Academy MARGRAD program is an excellent choice to achieve that. ROTC/NROTC programs are excellent choices as well, however, they are geared toward other branches. If someone is committed to being a Coastie, MARGRAD, CSPI or enlistment (and then OCS) are all excellent potential pathways to consider.
Thanks for your perspective!
 
Back
Top