Reapplying after High School

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0NtheR0ADagain

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Hey y'all, first time on this forum. I applied Early Action to the Coast Guard Academy during my senior year (2019-20). I had a 209 PFE, 1370 SAT, 3.8 UGPA, and a decent list of extracurriculars and sports, including varsity soccer and cross country, student leadership positions, and some activities in the arts (touring choir, theatre, chamber orchestra). I also earned my AA in business via dual enrollment. Although I did not receive an appointment, nor prep school/waitlist, I am extremely grateful for the experience as a whole. This was my first dive into anything of this sort, and I learned a lot about the Coast Guard, the Academy, and myself along the way.

I talked to CAPT Fredie earlier this year, and he said my essays and Reading/Writing SAT scores were strong. He also said I might be better off applying as a management major (I originally applied as civil).

Now we come to the present day. I've started at a state university, but I don't feel like it's the right place for me. I don't feel challenged enough, and I already know the typical college atmosphere is probably not for me. My heart just isn't in it, so I'm going to reapply to the Academy in January. I'm taking summer classes, with my schedule in the fall loaded with science, math, and computer courses (I'm currently a pre-eng major).

I know my PFE score could definitely use improvement and that I'm going to need to work hard and get good grades in the fall. Aside from these things, does anyone have any advice on what I can do to strengthen my candidacy? Thanks in advance for your help!
 
My DS was wait listed his first time applying. Spent a year at a civilian college, majoring in Aerospace engineering. He matured a lot during that year and I think he went in with an advantage. He graduated as an EE in the top one third of his class, and went right to flight school after graduation. I know there was someone in his class that got in on his third attempt. My advice continue to do your best, and follow the dream.
 
I applied EA and was deferred to RA before eventually being denied for Class of 2024. Now, I am pondering which options are best for me. I would appreciate if someone can give me some feedback. I was accepted to a private research university with a strong financial package offer (but not a full ride). I am thinking of either Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. Yesterday, I was accepted from the waitlist at a prestigious liberal arts college with a 4 year full ride scholarship. The only catch is that they are asking me to take a gap year this year and come in next year. I was planning to reapply to CGA after going to college for a year. But now, I want to weigh if I should take the gap year and work while taking some classes at a community college. My thinking is that if I am not accepted to CGA next RA, then I can fall back on the liberal college offer after taking the gap year. But would CGA look unfavorably if I do not attend college full time before reapplying for next year? Any wise feedback will be thankful.
 
I can't give either of you any particular advice since I don't have any relevant experience. My general advice, however, would be to think hard about where you came up short and then consider what you have done to shore that up. If it was academics, did you take a challenging engineering-oriented curriculum patterned after plebe year and do well? If it was physical, did you improve your PFE score? If it was leadership, did you, for example, join ROTC or something equivalent? Thinking about these questions is why, I suspect, kids who go the prep school route do well with admissions, because they cover all three bases.
Here's the other thing that comes to mind for both of you. OnTheRoadAgain, are you going to enroll in ROTC in the Fall? If not, why not? If I were interviewing you for the Class of '25, I'd definitely want to know that.
And Cali2GA, could you do ROTC that the private research university with the strong financial package? I'd think long and hard about going that route if you really want to reapply to the CGA. I wouldn't think a gap year would be very helpful for CGA purposes myself; but, as I said, I have no relevant experience.
 
For both of you potential reapplicants, think ahead to your reapplication and a possible interview. If you go to another university or take a gap year, in that future application or interview are you stating confidently how that course of action helped you, or are you making excuses for not making the best use of your time? Play out the possible outcome of each option in your mind and how that will be reflected in your application.

My daughter was a successful reapplicant. She spent last school year at a state school that originally was her Plan D or E. She frankly was a little disappointed that she ended up there. Despite that, she went in with the mindset to make the most of the opportunity she was given. That's what she did, and that attitude manifested itself in a much-improved application this time around.
 
Thanks for the replies y'all. I have reached out to the ROTC programs at my university and I'm looking into getting involved with them. I'm also probably going to get involved with some intramural or club sports on campus, maybe rugby or soccer.

Even though state university is not where I wanted to end up, I am going to do my best to use this time and make the most of it. My friend, who's in basic at USAFA, even wrote me a letter and shared a quote that says "And who knows, but that you have come to your position for such a time as this?"
 
franknd said:
I can't give either of you any particular advice since I don't have any relevant experience. My general advice, however, would be to think hard about where you came up short and then consider what you have done to shore that up. If it was academics, did you take a challenging engineering-oriented curriculum patterned after plebe year and do well? If it was physical, did you improve your PFE score? If it was leadership, did you, for example, join ROTC or something equivalent? Thinking about these questions is why, I suspect, kids who go the prep school route do well with admissions, because they cover all three bases.
Here's the other thing that comes to mind for both of you. OnTheRoadAgain, are you going to enroll in ROTC in the Fall? If not, why not? If I were interviewing you for the Class of '25, I'd definitely want to know that.
And Cali2GA, could you do ROTC that the private research university with the strong financial package? I'd think long and hard about going that route if you really want to reapply to the CGA. I wouldn't think a gap year would be very helpful for CGA purposes myself; but, as I said, I have no relevant experience.
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So I've talked to some ROTC recruiters, and I'm not sure. I know they are obviously making a huge investment into their cadets, so their end goal is to get you to their service. It just feels two-sided on my part to participate in ROTC, knowing full well my end goal is the Coast Guard and not their services. I would feel bad taking from them when I don't intend to give back. I might reach out to my AO at USCGA and ask his opinion.
 
Don't feel bad taking from them. At all. They want to see you succeed, and if that's ideally in a blue uniform instead of a green one, they won't hold that against you, with one caveat - if you don't get into the Academy, what will you do? Will you drop out before committing without second though or are you at least open to the idea of service in a different branch? If you are, and you're willing to give it your all and invest yourself in the program knowing that you still hope to make it to the Coast Guard, go for it. If you are just using them as a means to reach CGA, then you're right, they probably don't want you - and CGA probably won't look on it too well either if they piece it together. ROTC takes as much or more commitment than an Academy, and if you don't mean it everyone else around you will see.

However, highly recommend it. I learned a lot in my year of ROTC and I believe it has made me a more well rounded thinker and officer. While I'm obviously being brought up mostly in the Coastie way, there are some things I learned in ROTC that I still fall back on.
 
ekb1398 said:
Don't feel bad taking from them. At all. They want to see you succeed, and if that's ideally in a blue uniform instead of a green one, they won't hold that against you, with one caveat - if you don't get into the Academy, what will you do? Will you drop out before committing without second though or are you at least open to the idea of service in a different branch? If you are, and you're willing to give it your all and invest yourself in the program knowing that you still hope to make it to the Coast Guard, go for it. If you are just using them as a means to reach CGA, then you're right, they probably don't want you - and CGA probably won't look on it too well either if they piece it together. ROTC takes as much or more commitment than an Academy, and if you don't mean it everyone else around you will see.

However, highly recommend it. I learned a lot in my year of ROTC and I believe it has made me a more well rounded thinker and officer. While I'm obviously being brought up mostly in the Coastie way, there are some things I learned in ROTC that I still fall back on.
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Thank you for your reply and insight, I appreciate it. That's really the reason why I feel like I don't want to do ROTC. I just don't see myself wanting to serve in the other military branches. I don't know if that's terrible of me to think, but it's where my head is at right now. If I don't get into the Academy, I think I would want to look at other routes like Direct Commission or OCS. Beyond that, I've also looked some into NOAA Corps BOTC.
 
@0NtheR0ADagain

Do not feel like you must be a part of a ROTC program in order to be competitive for USCGA, especially if you are not in anyway interested in potentially being an officer in whatever branch the program is a part of. It is a nice to have item on your application, and demonstrates an interest in military service, but is certainly not a requirement. There are other ways to be competitive.

You nailed one aspect of your application that MUST improve - your PFE score is low, although passing. The AVERAGE score for a typical accepted class is 225 for men and 221 for women, you are below average with that score. The PFE is one of the few pieces of your application that you have COMPLETE control over.

Make sure you are developing rapports with your professors, ask for help when you need it and approach them early about your desires to reapply to a SA - this will help if you want to approach them for letters of recommendation. Getting the best grades you can, especially in your STEM courses, will also demonstrate your ability to succeed in college academics - and help overcome your SAT score. You note that your reading/essay scores were high, which makes me thing the 1370 is a result of your math score. Which brings me to standardized testing - retake the test if you can, and maybe try the ACT as well as some students do better on one then the other. Although your score is a good one, it can always be better, and a higher score will only improve your chances.

Demonstrate leadership in some way - it doesn't have to be through athletics or school activities, although those are great options! I'm not sure what your school is offering or not offering due to COVID, but be involved if you can. If not, work experience is a great way to demonstrate being able to manage multiple priorities - especially if you can demonstrate some leadership skills. It doesn't have to be a supervisory position, just leading a project of some kind is helpful.

Keep in contact with your assigned Admissions Officer and request an Admissions Interview. Completing an interview is an opportunity to demonstrate to someone in person (or through a video call) just how dedicated you are to this goal and is a time to show what you have learned in a year. Don't be afraid to mention that you are not giving up on the CG, make sure you know what you're talking about when it comes to the DCO or OCS programs, discussing alternatives demonstrates dedication.
 
@Cali2GA

While it's important to consider both options in terms of your competitiveness for admission to USCGA, the most important thing to determine first is what is best for YOU and YOUR FUTURE. Regardless of the option you select, there is always the chance you will be denied from USCGA again. If that were to happen, which program is the best fit for you and your goals? Are finances an issue where taking the gap year and having a full ride with no debt is an attractive option for you and/or your parents? If you didn't have to take the gap year, which school would your heart and mind lead you to? Does the liberal arts school offer you the same opportunities for research/internships in your chosen major(s) as the first school?

Your initial instincts are correct in that taking a gap year will require an explanation to Admissions. BUT, I highly doubt you are the only potential reapplicant facing the idea of a gap year, especially given the impacts of COVID-19. That being said, it is all about WHAT you do with that gap year. Taking classes is a great start, and demonstrates a continued dedication to academic improvement (and will get your general courses out of that way for a much lower cost then a four-year institution). You state you would also like to have a job, make sure that job doesn't interfere with your academics. Consider the other aspects of your application, you will need letters of recommendation which requires you to develop a rapport with your future professors. You need to be physically fit and score well on the PFE, what can you do in addition to the PFE that shows you take fitness seriously? Consider community service, particularly if there is a chance for you to demonstrate leadership - which could be as simple as volunteering at your former high school to help coach a sport, tutor kids, or act as an advisor for a club. The important thing is to make sure your gap year doesn't look like an empty year.

Lastly, contact the Admissions Office at USCGA and discuss this with them - have you discussed your application to 2024 with CAPT Freddie? If not, contact him and ask to discuss what could make you more competitive, which gives you the opportunity to discuss your options. Keep your assigned Admissions Officer in the loop on this to. While many of us are Admissions Partners, alumni, current cadets, etc, the best information for applications is the source.
 
trackandfield08 said:
@0NtheR0ADagain

Do not feel like you must be a part of a ROTC program in order to be competitive for USCGA, especially if you are not in anyway interested in potentially being an officer in whatever branch the program is a part of. It is a nice to have item on your application, and demonstrates an interest in military service, but is certainly not a requirement. There are other ways to be competitive.

You nailed one aspect of your application that MUST improve - your PFE score is low, although passing. The AVERAGE score for a typical accepted class is 225 for men and 221 for women, you are below average with that score. The PFE is one of the few pieces of your application that you have COMPLETE control over.

Make sure you are developing rapports with your professors, ask for help when you need it and approach them early about your desires to reapply to a SA - this will help if you want to approach them for letters of recommendation. Getting the best grades you can, especially in your STEM courses, will also demonstrate your ability to succeed in college academics - and help overcome your SAT score. You note that your reading/essay scores were high, which makes me thing the 1370 is a result of your math score. Which brings me to standardized testing - retake the test if you can, and maybe try the ACT as well as some students do better on one then the other. Although your score is a good one, it can always be better, and a higher score will only improve your chances.

Demonstrate leadership in some way - it doesn't have to be through athletics or school activities, although those are great options! I'm not sure what your school is offering or not offering due to COVID, but be involved if you can. If not, work experience is a great way to demonstrate being able to manage multiple priorities - especially if you can demonstrate some leadership skills. It doesn't have to be a supervisory position, just leading a project of some kind is helpful.

Keep in contact with your assigned Admissions Officer and request an Admissions Interview. Completing an interview is an opportunity to demonstrate to someone in person (or through a video call) just how dedicated you are to this goal and is a time to show what you have learned in a year. Don't be afraid to mention that you are not giving up on the CG, make sure you know what you're talking about when it comes to the DCO or OCS programs, discussing alternatives demonstrates dedication.
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Thank you for your reply. That's a lot of really good information. My PFE is definitely an area I need to focus on, and it's a pretty simple path forward. As far as standardized tests, I took the ACT as well and earned a 32 superscore. Also, I misspoke on my SAT, I earned a 1370 on attempt #2 and a 1390 on attempt #3. I will definitely still look into retaking it though, probably in December after I've had a semester of college.

Recommendations are really the one thing I'm a little worried about. With classes being on Zoom mostly, making connections is hard. I've tried to make small talk over email and Zoom, and it's definitely not the same as in person. That being said, I will certainly tell the teachers of my intentions.

Thanks again for all the replies y'all. I sincerely appreciate the advice, it really helps.
 
0NtheR0ADagain said:
Thank you for your reply. That's a lot of really good information. My PFE is definitely an area I need to focus on, and it's a pretty simple path forward. As far as standardized tests, I took the ACT as well and earned a 32 superscore. Also, I misspoke on my SAT, I earned a 1370 on attempt #2 and a 1390 on attempt #3. I will definitely still look into retaking it though, probably in December after I've had a semester of college.

Recommendations are really the one thing I'm a little worried about. With classes being on Zoom mostly, making connections is hard. I've tried to make small talk over email and Zoom, and it's definitely not the same as in person. That being said, I will certainly tell the teachers of my intentions.

Thanks again for all the replies y'all. I sincerely appreciate the advice, it really helps.
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Each of your professors will have office hours, even if they're virtual. Make sure you show up to them with some questions. Do that over time and they'll get to know you better.
 
0NtheR0ADagain said:
So I've talked to some ROTC recruiters, and I'm not sure. I know they are obviously making a huge investment into their cadets, so their end goal is to get you to their service. It just feels two-sided on my part to participate in ROTC, knowing full well my end goal is the Coast Guard and not their services. I would feel bad taking from them when I don't intend to give back. I might reach out to my AO at USCGA and ask his opinion.
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One man's opinion, but I think you are being too restrictive in your thinking here. For one thing, the first year in any ROTC program is a freebie, even for those on scholarship. And all of the cadres know that. IMO, the benefit of enrolling in ROTC as a freshman is that it gives you some introduction to what the military and military life is all about. That experience is applicable across all services. Indeed, the prep schools that CGA uses aren't Coast Guard schools.
Second, I'd encourage you to be open to other possibilities. It's great that right now you think you want to be a Coast Guard officer, and perhaps you will end up doing that. But maybe not. Maybe if you enrolled in one of the ROTC programs you would be surprised at the interest that develops in that service. Or maybe it would serve to reinforce your interest in the Coast Guard, and that's okay, too. As I said, first year is a freebie.
 
franknd said:
One man's opinion, but I think you are being too restrictive in your thinking here. ....I'd encourage you to be open to other possibilities. It's great that right now you think you want to be a Coast Guard officer, and perhaps you will end up doing that. But maybe not. Maybe if you enrolled in one of the ROTC programs you would be surprised at the interest that develops in that service. Or maybe it would serve to reinforce your interest in the Coast Guard, and that's okay, too. As I said, first year is a freebie.
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Exactly. My daughter was in NROTC last year. She jumped at the chance to go to the CGA but would have been quite happy to stay in the Navy if that's how things ended up. Her classmate and best friend at school ended up liking the NROTC program's opportunities so much that she did not even reapply to the CGA.
 
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