Nervous and Anxious about the Academy Please Give Me Some Wise Words

[Crossingmyfinger]

So I'm entering in my Junior year of High School and this is consider one of the most crucial and difficult year. I have been seriously considering going to the CGA since the end of freshman year. I'm a good students, I have good grades and I'm involved and such. But somehow I'm just so nervous about applying to the academy and not wasting away my Junior year. I work and work and I never think I do enough to get into this school. Can someone please help me put my mind at ease? As a entering junior, what are things that I should be doing to make those months counts? Thank you so much everyone.

 

[CGA17]

Coming from a rising senior who had CGA on the mind during the entirety of the school year:

Make sure your'e in the top 10% (top 8% was average last year for EA I)
Make sure you have leadership that's meaningful (heard this is good)
Make sure you get good grades in math and science (hopefully calc)...I didnt take calc b/c I wasnt in the "right" track freshman year...Now I'm taking 3 math and science classes this year to round myself out (hopefully the CCEB sees it that way)

Dont be bumed if you dont get into AIM as there's cadet for a day too! (I didnt get into AIM and I was really discouraged--but look only 32% (I think) of 2015 went to AIM.

I wish I woulda focused more on ACTs and SATs, as I'm cramming to earn a 30-32 on the Sept ACT for EA I...very unhealthy btw... Try and knock out that thing so you can focus on other stuff during the summer!

Look into Boys/Girls State. I didnt fully understand what it was until I found out it looks pretty good for the academy and its value is more rewarding as a person even if it doesnt win me a whole bunch of "points".

I dont know a lot since I'm just some HS kid... but I know and understand the anxiety your'e going through....

 

[Dedham]

Wise Words (but not from me)

DS is starting his senior year and I'm not an admissions officer, but here are my views:

I think Admissions is looking for applicants who have challenged themselves, are well rounded and done well at what they care about.

You can be well qualified, but not admitted because there will be more qualified applicants than seats, so concentrate on what is within your control. If you do that, you will have many other great options.

We visited five very good schools last week and they were all impressed with DS - his drive to be competitive for a service academy has made him an attractive applicant to "regular" colleges. He was candid in his admissions interviews that USCGA is his first choice and I think it made a good impression in all of the interviews. They want students who have challenged themselves and who want to make a difference. The basic response was "Good for you. We respect that, but if you don't get in, here is what we can offer you..." While USGA is still his first choice, I think the visits helped him, because he now knows that he will have great options if he isn't offered admission to the Academy.

In his email correspondence with the USCGA baseball coach over the summer, Coach Grant usually ended his messages with words to the effect of: "enjoy the summer, it goes by too fast." One can modify that to: "Enjoy life, it goes by too fast."

 

[Gen2]

Take one or two key activities and challenge yourself in their leadership opportunities.

Do well on your SAT.

If you are interested in a sport at USCGA, make contact with the coach. This can sometimes help applicants who are on the border of admission decision.

Take care in your essays.

Find an Admissions Partner and do the interview early in the process. This is considered optional, but with all the competition, you'll want to check as many boxes as possible.

 

[USCGA13STN]

I work for the Academy's blog program as a result, I get questions about what you should be doing to improve your odds and the like all the time.

To be honest, its really pretty simple. Work hard, and work outside your comfort zone. Look for leadership opportunities and snare them. Don't worry so much about making contacts or building up your resume, just get out there and start working in the community, your sports team, and your school, and your resume will naturally build itself; whether you're trying to or not.

Well... maybe it's easier said than done.

GOOD LUCK!

STN '13

 

[Dedham]

Wise Words (but not from me) Revised

I saw some posts on this thread yesterday and reread my own. I think mine may come off as negative, which I didn't intend, so I've added some language (underlined):

DS is starting his senior year and I'm not an admissions officer, but here are my views:

I think Admissions is looking for applicants who have challenged themselves, are well rounded and done well at what they care about.

DS has also has had USCGA as his goal, but we've always talked about the goal being competitive for admission. All you can do is your best and realize that there is a lot outside of your control - medical conditions, the pool in which you are evaluated, the needs of the Academy, etc.

You can be well qualified, but not admitted because there will be more qualified applicants than seats, so concentrate on what is within your control. If you do that, you will have your best chance of admission and have many other great options.

We visited five very good schools last week and they were all impressed with DS - his drive to be competitive for a service academy has made him an attractive applicant to "regular" colleges. He was candid in his admissions interviews that USCGA is his first choice and I think it made a good impression in all of the interviews. They want students who have challenged themselves and who want to make a difference. The basic response was "Good for you. We respect that, but if you don't get in, here is what we can offer you..." While USGA is still his first choice, I think the visits helped him, because he now knows that he will have great options if he isn't offered admission to the Academy.

Someone who is competive for admission but not accepted isn't a failure. As compared to their peers, they stand out and DS' experiences on our college tour confirmed that.

In addition, there are other routes to becoming a commissioned USCGA officer, including the USMMA and state maritime schools. Take a look at the direct commission page on the USCGA website.

In his email correspondence with the USCGA baseball coach over the summer, Coach Grant usually ended his messages with words to the effect of: "enjoy the summer, it goes by too fast." One can modify that to: "Enjoy life, it goes by too fast."

Attending the Academy is a means, not an end. I agree with DS that it is a superb choice for helping one realize his/her potential and making a difference in the world, but it isn't the only means to that end. I applaud you for your ambition and drive, but keep the big picture in mind. Stretch yourself, do your best, keep your admirable goal, but don't fixate on it. I hope you are accepted to the Academy, but even if you aren't, you will be a success.