Odds of admissions questions

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Northwoods

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Like most parents looking to help their kid with applying to the CGA I’m wondering about how different factors are weighted in the admissions process.

Eg if the student is less strong in one area but very strong in another how does that play out in the admissions decision? Which areas matter most?

My son is a pretty strong athlete. Varsity cross country and track from his freshman year. Plus swimming (non-varsity) for 2 years, and wrestling this year. His current pole vault PR would be CGA top 10 all time if was already a cadet. He’ll easily score a 100 on the running portion of the PFE (should be sub-8:00 without even going all out). And I think getting PFE honors is very realistic if he trains for the push ups and sit-ups. He’s also team captain for cross country and likely will be a captain for track in the spring.

His academics though are not so strong. He’s not weak academically per se, his GPA is around 3.7 I think. He’s in the dual enrollment program with the local community college. He hasn’t taken the ACT or SAT yet, but most likely he’ll score around 26-28/1250-1300 if I had to guess.

Obviously we’ll work on maximizing test scores and getting him into non-sports leadership opportunities.

But what are the weight factors for academics vs leadership vs athletics/fitness?
 
I use a 'guideline' of 60% academics and 40% athletics/leadership with my students. It is not official! But you will find academics are weighted heavier than the other factors. For most of my appointees, I find that a strong academic record was simply expected with team engagement and leadership as the separators allowing them to win an appointment. Again, not official, but my $0.02 worth.
 
Have you been in contact withe the CGA coaches for track yet? Are they recruiting your son because they are a huge resource for guidance on admissions. My son was a recruited athlete in a different sport and the coaching staff really guided himduring his application process including guidance on academic course selection for senior year. Good luck as CGA is a fantastic place and m6 son is currently a 4C and really loves it.
 
In their Admissions Briefs, CGA often describes a 3-legged stool of Academics, Leadership, and Athletics. You need all 3. If you are exceptionally strong in one area, that can help make up if you are not quite at the top in one of the other areas, but you still need strength in all 3 areas. Sometimes applicants neglect the leadership area. Just being a captain of a team or a president of a club in itself don't give you leadership. You need to describe what you DID in those positions. How did you LEAD. And leadership does not have to be in an official lead position either, so applicants should take the time to think of how they are leading in their normal activities.

Although it is not specifically listed, other important factors include community services and why you want to serve in the Coast Guard. @Ghostjwm mentioned reaching out to the coaches. Applicants should definitely contact the coaches of any sports they are interested in. Every applicant is given an athletic score which can help some in the decision factor. Coaches can have a seat at the table when it comes to decision time as well. Every applicant also gets a music score, so if you play and instrument or sing, make sure you reach out to the appropriate people at CGA.
 
As a cadet, I can confidently say there is no set formula or method to getting in. That said, your best chance for acceptance by far is to become a recruited athlete. Not only can the coach endorse your application, you also have access to people who can help perfect your application. Definitely reach out if you haven’t already.
 
I would disagree a bit JAH. Being elite in one or more categories is a big help, but I think your odds of being an elite student or an elite leader are better than being an elite athlete in a varsity sport. My son got into multiple academies and was not a recruited athlete for a varsity sport. Having a coach as an advocate can be great, but our school counselor and the USCGA admissions office staff were very helpful resources. If you are a great student you don't need the coach to get in. If you are not such a great student then a coach might have a tough time getting you in. Just my two cents.
 
USCGA is D3 for athletics so being great in your sport probably does not carry the same weight as at a D1 school (USNA, USMA, USAFA). Not to say it does not help, but the Admissions Board at CGA looks at Academics, Physical conditioning, and Leadership more than Sports (at least when our son applied five years ago).

As far as testing, a 25-26 on the ACT seems a little low, 1300 on the SAT is better. Not sure if CGA publishes past student body entry scores, many of the DoD Academies do and you can actually see where your son would fall in the admissions process. Being an athletic team Captain and articulating the leadership that entailed may help.

Being a recruited athlete with his test scores, he may end up with an offer to the Prep School to get his academics up to speed before actually entering the program. All the academies are EXTREMELY challenging academically, especially for athletes who don't have the same amount of time to study due to practice/games. Just as a baseline our son had a 30 on his ACT, scored 1420 on his SAT, and had an unweighted GPA of 3.95. He was Captain of his Tennis Team for two years and was able to articulate what he did as a leadership position. The PFA was an important part of the application process, and you can usually find what previous classes scored and were ranked from the academy.

Any one of three, academics, leadership, fitness can sink an otherwise promising application. The advantage to being good at leadership and fitness is that all the academies have "prep schools" to specifically assist in the academics part. Just a guess, but being really strong in leadership, and fitness, and being a little low in academics give you more of a shot (via CGAS) than being weak in the fitness area. None of the academies want incoming freshman to be out of shape or struggle physically during the intense summer indoctrination. Please remember I am not privy to current internal discussions or weighting of the different factors, a lot depends on potential and his interview.
 
Being great at your sport definitely carries weight regardless of being a D3 school. CGA athletics are extremely competitive and their are many recruited athletes who also were recruited by D1 schools including other academies. That being said you are applying to a service academy which is one of the best schools in the nation so your academics also have to be up there. CGA recruits well rounded candidates and what it looks at in each individual is different. You can't slack on any of the requirements if you want to get in but coaches can definitely help guide you and if they are recruiting you they have a vested interest in getting you admitted. My son as a baseline was recruited for sport for 2 years had unweighted gpa of 3.75, didnt submit SAT by coaches recomendation though he scored a 1180 and was appointed to NAPS as a CGAS. He breezed through NAPS which also he states has helped prepare him so much for CGA and is now a 4C loving the academy.
 
Northwoods said:
Like most parents looking to help their kid with applying to the CGA I’m wondering about how different factors are weighted in the admissions process.

Eg if the student is less strong in one area but very strong in another how does that play out in the admissions decision? Which areas matter most?

My son is a pretty strong athlete. Varsity cross country and track from his freshman year. Plus swimming (non-varsity) for 2 years, and wrestling this year. His current pole vault PR would be CGA top 10 all time if was already a cadet. He’ll easily score a 100 on the running portion of the PFE (should be sub-8:00 without even going all out). And I think getting PFE honors is very realistic if he trains for the push ups and sit-ups. He’s also team captain for cross country and likely will be a captain for track in the spring.

His academics though are not so strong. He’s not weak academically per se, his GPA is around 3.7 I think. He’s in the dual enrollment program with the local community college. He hasn’t taken the ACT or SAT yet, but most likely he’ll score around 26-28/1250-1300 if I had to guess.

Obviously we’ll work on maximizing test scores and getting him into non-sports leadership opportunities.

But what are the weight factors for academics vs leadership vs athletics/fitness?
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Is he currently a Junior I'm guessing?

Sounds like a solid sports contributor which is important. Coach can advocate for sure so he needs to be on the radar. Recruited athletes get assigned a score for admissions. Basically a 1, 2 or 3. Meaning a superstar game changer, a solid contributor, or good enough to be on the team.

He needs to definitely get involved in non-sports/ community activities and find leadership/tangible contribution roles in those organizations.

Definitely apply for AIM in Feb for summer before senior year.

Don't underestimate impact of essays and letters of recommendation during the application process. Put high effoet in those.
 
27BearDad said:
Is he currently a Junior I'm guessing?

Sounds like a solid sports contributor which is important. Coach can advocate for sure so he needs to be on the radar. Recruited athletes get assigned a score for admissions. Basically a 1, 2 or 3. Meaning a superstar game changer, a solid contributor, or good enough to be on the team.

He needs to definitely get involved in non-sports/ community activities and find leadership/tangible contribution roles in those organizations.

Definitely apply for AIM in Feb for summer before senior year.

Don't underestimate impact of essays and letters of recommendation during the application process. Put high effoet in those.
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Yes, he's a junior.

AIM is on the radar to apply in February.
 
Talk to the CGA coach of his sport and try to arrange a coordinated visit to maybe see team practice to introduce your son. Also let coaches know you are intending to apply for AIM. Can't emphasize enough that communication and being proactive letting them know that your son has a serious committment and wants to attend CGA.
 
Ghostjwm said:
Talk to the CGA coach of his sport and try to arrange a coordinated visit to maybe see team practice to introduce your son. Also let coaches know you are intending to apply for AIM. Can't emphasize enough that communication and being proactive letting them know that your son has a serious committment and wants to attend CGA.
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Cool. We live between Seattle and Canada, so a visit is tough, but we shall see what we can make happen.
 
Northwoods said:
Cool. We live between Seattle and Canada, so a visit is tough, but we shall see what we can make happen.
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If you are able to visit, try to make it an overnight. CGA will pair prospective students with current cadets. They will go to class with them, practice with them, and to any other activities. They will also sleep in Chase Hall so they get an idea of what cadet life would be like. I think overnights are only for seniors though.
 
Northwoods said:
Cool. We live between Seattle and Canada, so a visit is tough, but we shall see what we can make happen.
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If you think that your son has a legitimate chance to be admitted, then an in-person visit from that distance will definitely make an impact. Impressing the coaching staff and admissions staff in person could set him apart.
 
Ghostjwm said:
Talk to the CGA coach of his sport and try to arrange a coordinated visit to maybe see team practice to introduce your son. Also let coaches know you are intending to apply for AIM. Can't emphasize enough that communication and being proactive letting them know that your son has a serious committment and wants to attend CGA.
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He’s working on filling out the “recruit me” form. Hopefully that gets him some attention and contact.
 
Northwoods said:
He’s working on filling out the “recruit me” form. Hopefully that gets him some attention and contact.
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The contact info for the coaches is also available. I would suggest that, after filling out the "recruit me" form, he also send an email to the coach (or coaches) of the sport(s) he would be interested in participating in if he was offered an appointment to CGA. He could provide his stats and link to any video if he has any.
 
Northwoods said:
He’s working on filling out the “recruit me” form. Hopefully that gets him some attention and contact.
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Unless your child is an absolute beast with eyeepopping measurables I would follow up. Coaches are busy. I found often coaches were happy to talk, but you have to get their attention.
 
When we visited campus four years ago an Admissions Officer told my DD "the Coast Guard loves people that love the Coast Guard." At another school that might be called Demonstrated Interest, but in New London it means they like to see visits and knowledge of the service. If it's not your first choice don't try to fake it, but definitely fly that flag if this is your dream.
 
scprepoh said:
Unless your child is an absolute beast with eyeepopping measurables I would follow up. Coaches are busy. I found often coaches were happy to talk, but you have to get their attention.
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It sounds like he has eyepopping measurables. If he, as a high school junior, would be one of the top 10 pole vaulters all time at CGA, that's really good.
 
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