How Many Times Did You Have to Apply Until Admitted?

laforge

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Feb 4, 2023
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Greetings,
My son just applied RA for the first time. He did not attend AIM. Knowing that this process is competitive, I wondered how many times a candidate needs to apply before being accepted (assuming they are a competitive candidate, passed medical, etc). If he does not get admitted this next round....I wanted to give him accurate information to keep his spirits up in case he would need to re-apply next year.
 
I know of an active duty USCG Captain who applied in high school was rejected. Went to community college and reapplied. Was rejected for USCGA again but accepted for NAPS prep school. Reapplied after prep school and was finally accepted. 3 applications before final acceptance. Many current cadets have at least one year of college prior to attending USCGA.
 
@Objee would be the best to give stats on roughly how many accepted cadets each year are reapplicants. However, stats on how many of those have reapplied for multiple years might not be readily available.
 
My son's swab summer roommate was a 3rd time applicant, and there are definitely those that apply more than once. With that said, there is no magic number to ensure admittance. If an applicant is rejected, they can reach out to their AO and ask them what they can do to strengthen their application for the next year. Re-applicants do not have the option for EA, so go to a college and take a schedule similar to what you would take during your first year at the academy, and do well, especially the first semester. Participate actively in class so you can get recommendations from your college professors. Search out some additional leadership opportunities, keep physically fit. Keep in touch with your AO so they know you are still interested. Fortunately, I believe DODMERB is good for 2 years, so if you are medically qualified, you do not have to repeat the process, but probably need to update if there have been any major medical issues since the original exam.
 
Thank you for all of the replies and feedback.
We shall stay the course knowing it may take a few rounds of application.
Sending everyone positive thoughts and blessings.
 
Greetings,
My son just applied RA for the first time. He did not attend AIM. Knowing that this process is competitive, I wondered how many times a candidate needs to apply before being accepted (assuming they are a competitive candidate, passed medical, etc). If he does not get admitted this next round....I wanted to give him accurate information to keep his spirits up in case he would need to re-apply next year.
Don't give up the ship if not accepted...go to college and do ROTC and re-apply. Many, many kids go this route....kids with a 1+ years of prep school, college, etc....have a leg up on others when they finally get to the SA. It's another year to work on being away from home, college academics, maturity, physical fitness, etc.....you'd have to verify, but I think as long as you're not 22 on the first day, you can apply. Good luck !
 
During my DD's campus visit the admissions person she spoke to said "The Coast Guard likes people who like the Coast Guard." If you keep coming back, keep insisting this is your dream, and (importantly) keep improving your app year after year you may break that door down.

One big tip: if you do get rejected, reach out to your AO and have them look over your app and appraise what parts need work. You may be hung up on test scores or leadership when they were looking at class rigor, for example, so have them show you where to put your emphasis. You could also ask them about your plans for the coming year to see if they have suggestions for making it fit a new application.
 
I got rejected last year and decided to attend Marion Military Institute this year as a self prep. I am currently waiting to find out if I got in as well. If you have any questions about being a self prep or life at MMI, feel free to ask! There is currently around five self sponsored cadets here waiting to hear from USCGA.
 
TH
I got rejected last year and decided to attend Marion Military Institute this year as a self prep. I am currently waiting to find out if I got in as well. If you have any questions about being a self prep or life at MMI, feel free to ask! There is currently around five self sponsored cadets here waiting to hear from USCGA.
Thank you for your reply. I was wondering, how do you like the experience at Marion Military Institute? My son is looking at an in state school as his plan B (and joining the schools ROTC), but...it seems like the MMI may be better? Do you find it to be a supportive school? Friendly? Positive? or is it miserable and only focused on discipline?....I really appreciate your response.
 
Don't give up the ship if not accepted...go to college and do ROTC and re-apply. Many, many kids go this route....kids with a 1+ years of prep school, college, etc....have a leg up on others when they finally get to the SA. It's another year to work on being away from home, college academics, maturity, physical fitness, etc.....you'd have to verify, but I think as long as you're not 22 on the first day, you can apply. Good luck !
Thank you for taking the time to respond. This is very helpful and comforting!
 
TH

Thank you for your reply. I was wondering, how do you like the experience at Marion Military Institute? My son is looking at an in state school as his plan B (and joining the schools ROTC), but...it seems like the MMI may be better? Do you find it to be a supportive school? Friendly? Positive? or is it miserable and only focused on discipline?....I really appreciate your response.
I like it overall! There’s some ups and downs just like there would be at a normal school. I am from Florida so I am out of state. MMI provides a good mix of military and civilian life as there are both populations that attend here. Because there are CGAS cadets here, I was able to meet Chief Verhagen and Lieutenant Scott. I have learned a lot about myself here and there are plenty of leadership positions you can apply for to help build up your resume for reapplication. If your son is set on the coast guard academy he should definitely heavily consider coming to MMI. Also, I did attend aim so that isn’t always a factor. There are CGAS cadets here that didn’t attend aim.
 
I like it overall! There’s some ups and downs just like there would be at a normal school. I am from Florida so I am out of state. MMI provides a good mix of military and civilian life as there are both populations that attend here. Because there are CGAS cadets here, I was able to meet Chief Verhagen and Lieutenant Scott. I have learned a lot about myself here and there are plenty of leadership positions you can apply for to help build up your resume for reapplication. If your son is set on the coast guard academy he should definitely heavily consider coming to MMI. Also, I did attend aim so that isn’t always a factor. There are CGAS cadets here that didn’t attend aim.
This was my daughters plan B as well as MMI is a solid school so the worst case was she got turned down by the academy again and she could take all her credits with her to a civilian college! MMI is impressive from the people/instructor aspect even if it is lacking as far as location that offers a lot of amenities! We were blessed that our Daughter was pulled from the waitlist so she didn’t end up having to exercise plan B but I can tell you many of her classmates are reapplicants … if your child truly wants USCGA reapplying is a great idea
 
I like it overall! There’s some ups and downs just like there would be at a normal school. I am from Florida so I am out of state. MMI provides a good mix of military and civilian life as there are both populations that attend here. Because there are CGAS cadets here, I was able to meet Chief Verhagen and Lieutenant Scott. I have learned a lot about myself here and there are plenty of leadership positions you can apply for to help build up your resume for reapplication. If your son is set on the coast guard academy he should definitely heavily consider coming to MMI. Also, I did attend aim so that isn’t always a factor. There are CGAS cadets here that didn’t attend aim.
Thank you again for your response. Incredibly helpful. You are a fantastic example of determination and commitment. Congratulations on your good efforts.
 
This was my daughters plan B as well as MMI is a solid school so the worst case was she got turned down by the academy again and she could take all her credits with her to a civilian college! MMI is impressive from the people/instructor aspect even if it is lacking as far as location that offers a lot of amenities! We were blessed that our Daughter was pulled from the waitlist so she didn’t end up having to exercise plan B but I can tell you many of her classmates are reapplicants … if your child truly wants USCGA reapplying is a great idea
Thank you Thank you!!!! Congratulations to your daughter. I know she'll be super successful.
 
I have 2 kids currently attending. Both were 2 time applicants and one was waitlisted the 2nd application too. While the rejection was initially hard, they matured significantly with a year at college first.
 
I have 2 kids currently attending. Both were 2 time applicants and one was waitlisted the 2nd application too. While the rejection was initially hard, they matured significantly with a year at college first.
Thank you for this....Waiting is the hardest......may I ask what your kids decided to do between the 2nd application process? Thanks to this forum "phoembum":)...my son is considering MMI for sure...or we are staying local while he does ROTC, thank will reapply.
 
When my oldest attended NASS, his squad leader (so a youngster) had applied and gotten in on his 4th try.

THAT was significant in my sons decision to attend over other offers. His squad leaders strong desire and tenacity in reapplying, and staring over. It was his leaders last year to get in!

I often wonder where he ended up. My son admired him greatly.
 
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