Regular Decision reevaluation

dberkeley said:
Anyone knows when the RA admission cycle starts (before April 1)? Is it on a rolling basis?
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It varies every year and this year there is a new Superintendent, but usually regular decision appointment offers start coming out around the beginning of March. Just like in the EA cycle, there are usually some offered each week after that. Some applicants will likely be offered a spot on the wait list as well.
 
Another anecdotal thought for those who are going test optional… due to Covid schools are seeing students show up w more variation in their academic skills than ever before so if you have a solid test score I would think it is likely to help you more than hurt you… at a bare minimum it gives them some quantitative evidence of your academic skills … Covid grade inflation is a real thing.
 
just another 2 or 4 months on more waiting. When do RA applications close? Do appointments trickle in like they did in EA until 01apr?
 
Reading these posts brings back a lot of feelings! My daughter did AIM, applied early admission and was deferred to RA. She is class of 2025. After she was deferred, she had to move forward with some other plans. She picked a college and signed to play her sport elsewhere and that all basically became "her plan". During spring break her senior year (last day of March), a phone call came and she was offered a CGAS spot. She was unsure of what to do because in her head she had already moved on, had other plans made, made friends with what would have been teammates, secured housing, accepted scholarships and now was given the opportunity for CGAS and CGA. She decided on CGAS, but it wasn't a easy decision because her mind and heart had already moved on. It was a very difficult path to be deferred and then offered a spot so late in her senior year- but she had to make all those other plans in order to "have a plan" for what would have been her first year of college. It was a rough road and her heart broke multiple times in the process- but she is where made the most sense for her and she is where she has wanted to be since visiting the CGA in 10th grade. Trust the process and tell your kids to follow their hearts.
 
Jstew5 said:
Sounds like those that went test optional got pushed to RA
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This is not necessarily true.

I had 2 applicants- one went test optional, the other did not.

The one who received an EA appointment went test optional.
The one with an above average ACT score (32, submitted) was deferred to RA.

My observations on application similarities and differences:

Both have very high GPAs (3.95+ unweighted), dual-enrollment
Both 3 sport varsity athletes and state champs in a non-Academy sport
Both considered leaders on their athletic teams and significant volunteer hours
Both attended AIM

Strengths of the one who received an EA appointment:
Very Slightly higher GPA
Slightly higher PFE score
Team captain in fall sport (also recruitable level but not recruited in the fall sport)
Submitted ALL recommendations (other only submitted one additional)
Quality/effort put into the essay submissions (in my opinion this was likely the most significant difference)
 
oldgradmom said:
This is not necessarily true.

I had 2 applicants- one went test optional, the other did not.

The one who received an EA appointment went test optional.
The one with an above average ACT score (32, submitted) was deferred to RA.

My observations on application similarities and differences:

Both have very high GPAs (3.95+ unweighted), dual-enrollment
Both 3 sport varsity athletes and state champs in a non-Academy sport
Both considered leaders on their athletic teams and significant volunteer hours
Both attended AIM

Strengths of the one who received an EA appointment:
Very Slightly higher GPA
Slightly higher PFE score
Team captain in fall sport (also recruitable level but not recruited in the fall sport)
Submitted ALL recommendations (other only submitted one additional)
Quality/effort put into the essay submissions (in my opinion this was likely the most significant difference)
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Wow, what an interesting perspective! I'm completely convinced that the quality of essays is beyond critical. Other than an interview, it's the only way to truly explain who you are and why they should want you. Content of LORs is obviously tough to control, but it helps to put max effort in who you select to do them and making sure they understand what you're trying to achieve.

Congratulations to you on the first one and best of luck on the second!!!
 
oldgradmom said:
This is not necessarily true.

I had 2 applicants- one went test optional, the other did not.

The one who received an EA appointment went test optional.
The one with an above average ACT score (32, submitted) was deferred to RA.

My observations on application similarities and differences:

Both have very high GPAs (3.95+ unweighted), dual-enrollment
Both 3 sport varsity athletes and state champs in a non-Academy sport
Both considered leaders on their athletic teams and significant volunteer hours
Both attended AIM

Strengths of the one who received an EA appointment:
Very Slightly higher GPA
Slightly higher PFE score
Team captain in fall sport (also recruitable level but not recruited in the fall sport)
Submitted ALL recommendations (other only submitted one additional)
Quality/effort put into the essay submissions (in my opinion this was likely the most significant difference)
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I guess these things are very subjective when evaluated by admission staff. I know a lot of coasties thrive with diverse backgrounds(academics, sports, etc.). Congrats to your applicants.
 
oldgradmom said:
This is not necessarily true.

I had 2 applicants- one went test optional, the other did not.

The one who received an EA appointment went test optional.
The one with an above average ACT score (32, submitted) was deferred to RA.

My observations on application similarities and differences:

Both have very high GPAs (3.95+ unweighted), dual-enrollment
Both 3 sport varsity athletes and state champs in a non-Academy sport
Both considered leaders on their athletic teams and significant volunteer hours
Both attended AIM

Strengths of the one who received an EA appointment:
Very Slightly higher GPA
Slightly higher PFE score
Team captain in fall sport (also recruitable level but not recruited in the fall sport)
Submitted ALL recommendations (other only submitted one additional)
Quality/effort put into the essay submissions (in my opinion this was likely the most significant difference)
Click to expand...
Class of 27 was last years selections. This year I see more referrals SAT optional and haven’t seen any yet that weren’t
 
Jstew5 said:
Class of 27 was last years selections. This year I see more referrals SAT optional and haven’t seen any yet that weren’t
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Going test optional is definitely not an automatic deferral. But I can see a higher number of deferrals being those who went test optional for a couple reasons.
1) It may be more likely that a student who did not have great test scores also was not as strong in their class grades or the classes they took. I realize this is not always the case, but is probably more likely.
2) Sometimes if a student has slightly lower grades, but has stellar test scores, those scores can help offset those grades. Without the test scores, it may be harder to overcome if a student is lacking in academics compared to other applicants.
 
Jstew5 said:
Class of 27 was last years selections. This year I see more referrals SAT optional and haven’t seen any yet that weren’t
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My DD was referred to RA and she was not test optional. She got 1370 on her SAT.
 
DS was deferred too. He is test optional. AP/IB classes, cyber security/IT specialty track in HS. Lax varsity, Gracie BJJ combative belt, taekwondo -3rd degree belt, CAP - Lt. Col. Level 6 violinist. He was interviewed on 12/18.
We are grateful to have another chance. But also have plan B, C and D. For sure, this journey is not for a faint of heart. We are supporting DS with whatever the outcome will be in April. Praying for all the parents and applicants and congratulations to all the EA of 2028!
 
Bluebear28 said:
DS was deferred too. He is test optional. AP/IB classes, cyber security/IT specialty track in HS. Lax varsity, Gracie BJJ combative belt, taekwondo -3rd degree belt, CAP - Lt. Col. Level 6 violinist. He was interviewed on 12/18.
We are grateful to have another chance. But also have plan B, C and D. For sure, this journey is not for a faint of heart. We are supporting DS with whatever the outcome will be in April. Praying for all the parents and applicants and congratulations to all the EA of 2028!
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What was PFE? How much attention to detail did the essays have?
 
TrumpetTennis said:
What was PFE? How much attention to detail did the essays have?
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PFE is 180 - still recovering from a Fx (3 leg bones and a tight rope surgery). He did several drafts in his essay and had his teachers, us and writing center at school involved. He is training 3x a week to get back on track and improve his PFE. He is scheduled to do his Spatz test end of Feb, and a lot of leadership opportunities, orchestra, Gracie and color guard scheduled in top of his acad.
 
Bluebear28 said:
PFE is 180 - still recovering from a Fx (3 leg bones and a tight rope surgery). He did several drafts in his essay and had his teachers, us and writing center at school involved. He is training 3x a week to get back on track and improve his PFE. He is scheduled to do his Spatz test end of Feb, and a lot of leadership opportunities, orchestra, Gracie and color guard scheduled in top of his acad.
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Understood. Glad applicant is keeping their head up and is trying to get the score in the competitive 200+ range. Remember, PFE is SCALED. If he can focus on parts of the PFE which in my mind do not involve the injury (pushups/situps) he should be able to clear 200 easily without aggravating the injury--health always comes first!

To portray how the applicant is "a standout or special" I highly recommend uploading an "optional" upload to convince the CCEB of why this is the case, but assuming he already took advantage of this during EA.

Regarding essays, I am sure they are well-polished; however, I'd consider discussing in the RA cycle of how the son wants it (not how the parent wants it), and how he is going for it again for RA. Updating the essays to discuss such would in my mind show some resilience, attention to detail, and commitment, rather than a "nicely written" essay which would be uploaded again. "I overcame personal adversity because of an injury where I broke 3 bones, but decided to push hard and clear (or nearly clear) 200...WOW..that shines through more than "I did all this stuff which committee can see anyways on my resume, my uploads, etc"). My advice too is to focus on service in the CG not just to "get in" to CGA. I think that can lead a lot of candidates astray, especially when they are out minoring in sanitation studies (a joke not literal) with non-rates during 3/c summer..."this is the CG?!" Assuming the applicant is ready for that--so say it in the essays. But hey, I'm just some guy on the internet..ha. Glad you are out there supporting your son :)
 
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Happy new year SA Forum!
Congratulations to all that have already received an appointment and good luck to of others waiting!
 
I was deferred from EA to RA, too, and remain hopeful. I am working on how to improve my application.

I was asked to write an additional personal essay explaining why I believe I deserve an appointment and what I think I can contribute to the USCGA. I tried to address this in my EA application, and am curious if anyone has any suggestions on how best to address this?
 
lucaswsoriano said:
I was deferred from EA to RA, too, and remain hopeful. I am working on how to improve my application.

I was asked to write an additional personal essay explaining why I believe I deserve an appointment and what I think I can contribute to the USCGA. I tried to address this in my EA application, and am curious if anyone has any suggestions on how best to address this?
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I would say to think about what makes you unique. Everyone who was deferred is very qualified and has a great application otherwise they would have been denied. Why should they choose YOU instead of someone else. How will you make the overall class of 2028 better?
 
ProudMom7 said:
I would say to think about what makes you unique. Everyone who was deferred is very qualified and has a great application otherwise they would have been denied. Why should they choose YOU instead of someone else. How will you make the overall class of 2028 better?
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If has team cap’n, PFE 200ish, 4.0/1200+, AP/IB, etc., what makes you, YOU? Music—so what why is it special? Did you stand up to a bully sophomore year? Did you overcome familial adversity? Do you speak another language? Do you train wiener dogs? Fact is—be YOU, and tell the academy how this talent will contribute to CGA/how this will add to our wardroom… cheers.
 
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