Having trouble deciding between The USCGA and UNC Chapel Hill

[2026cgahopeful]

Thank you! I appreciate your response. My son has wanted to serve his country since he was young and that was his driving force behind applying to the academies. He has done most of the applying and congressional nominations all on his own. Hopefully, wanting to serve and believing in the mission behind the academy will help him meet other like minded students (if that is where he lands).

My son is at the academy and he fit in with lots of groups in high school. He was very social and “regular”. He highly considered a big SEC school because of football, social life and honestly some options for partying. There are tons of kids like him at the academy. Sometimes he does wish he was at a school with a little less rules but at the same time he knows he made the right decision. He has met great friends, has learned so much in his classes, has already traveled to Europe, and does fun things on the weekends like snowboard and visit Newport (all this in addition to his class load, his sport and his military obligations.) He’s always been a rule follower so that piece has been very easy and natural for him.
Sg123- I agree with the other post that says it might be worth trying cga for a year bc you can always change your mind and go to UNC but it is much more difficult to go from UNC to CGA. And my son was similar to you- he was really split on what to do but he is very happy w/CGA.

 

[Northwoods]

The only thing I'll say about going CGA, knowing you will be possibly transferring, you also need to consider that if you do that, someone else, likely much more passionate about the Coast Guard and military service, will lose out on the opportunity to attend the academy.

Obviously anyone can think it's what they want, and later change their mind. I'm just pointing out that the academy is clearly not your all consuming passion. Most kids that go there, it is, or at least it's much higher on their passionate list than it appears to be for you. You might find that grating or annoying when you get there. Think about the culture and how you'll fit in to that culture. The SA's are definitely not the right place for everyone.

I'd highly recommend you do some deep thinking/prayer/meditation and decide what is the right school environment for you. Then make your decision, whether for the CGA or UNC, and don't look back.

 

[tamarack]

You have a big decision to make and I imagine a lot of factors are competing for your attention. But a lot of those factors are outside your control.

I recommend that you try focusing on what you want to do for the five years of your life after college. Don't worry about family expectations, financial pressure, how AIM went, or what your life may be like as a cadet or a civilian student. Spend a few days imagining your life as a young Coast Guard officer. Then try the same thing imagining your civilian life after college as a grad student/journalist/nurse/whatever your dream may be. Ask yourself which made you feel more excited/motivated/curious/fulfilled/joyful? And those answers can help you decide where to go to school.

 

[VAcadetmom]

The only thing I'll say about going CGA, knowing you will be possibly transferring, you also need to consider that if you do that, someone else, likely much more passionate about the Coast Guard and military service, will lose out on the opportunity to attend the academy.

Declining an appointment, or even withdrawing after reporting, does not take away the opportunity for someone else to attend the Academy. All of the Academies offer more appointments then the estimated class size, so declining an appointment does not typically result in an appointment to someone else (notwithstanding waitlist fills which are targeted to fill gaps that arise after acceptances are due). Admissions believes that everyone offered an appointment can succeed at the Academy, but some choose another path. Sometimes that path may take more time to get to, which is why a cadet can withdraw all the way up until they report for their 2/C (Junior) year without penalty.

 

[sg123*]

You have a big decision to make and I imagine a lot of factors are competing for your attention. But a lot of those factors are outside your control.

I recommend that you try focusing on what you want to do for the five years of your life after college. Don't worry about family expectations, financial pressure, how AIM went, or what your life may be like as a cadet or a civilian student. Spend a few days imagining your life as a young Coast Guard officer. Then try the same thing imagining your civilian life after college as a grad student/journalist/nurse/whatever your dream may be. Ask yourself which made you feel more excited/motivated/curious/fulfilled/joyful? And those answers can help you decide where to go to school.

Thank you! This is making me feel better about the academy. I do love the idea of being on a boat and serving in the Coast Guard as a DWO or something.

 

[nonsoccersoccermom]

Hoping this forum will help give me some advice, but I know I just have to make the choice myself. I am having to decide between UNC Chapel Hill, and The USCGA and here's where I am at. My brother is a 2022 grad from the academy, and ever since he attended it has been somewhat of a dream to go. I attended AIM this past year and that made me unsure of my goal to go to the academy. But, it's been a couple of months, and I still applied and am now having to make the decision. I am completely lost and on one front want a normal civilian life at UNC where I can make my own decisions, graduate debt free (due to its affordability and my father saving money for my education), and ultimately have a normal college experience; on the other front, life at the academy seems interesting and exciting: the pick of majors, the bond you form with your shipmates, and the opportunities after. All of that said, I was wondering if anyone was in a similar situation and had advice.

Hi sg123- following as I am finding my son in a similar situation if he does indeed get accepted. Thanks for posting since the answers others have provided are great to have as we potentially navigate as well.