Undecided Major?

A

AIMster_보리차28

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Good morning, I'm a soon to be cadet candidate for CGAS 2023 and hopefully future class of '28. I am really torn between 3 academic majors, and I don't know what would be best for my career. Preferably, I want to stay on the operational/leadership side of things, do an ice breaker tour, and maybe join the JAG corps. However, I feel very passionate about marine life and the nature of the sea, so I'm considering a STEM major. I'm stuck between Government, Management, and MES, leaning slightly towards management. I worry that I won't be able to decide before certain deadlines (I know I can change majors if I want to, but I want to spare the trouble of switching). Based on my interests and desires, what would be best for me? What majors does the academy need? Thank you.
 
AIMster_보리차28 said:
Good morning, I'm a soon to be cadet candidate for CGAS 2023 and hopefully future class of '28. I am really torn between 3 academic majors, and I don't know what would be best for my career. Preferably, I want to stay on the operational/leadership side of things, do an ice breaker tour, and maybe join the JAG corps. However, I feel very passionate about marine life and the nature of the sea, so I'm considering a STEM major. I'm stuck between Government, Management, and MES, leaning slightly towards management. I worry that I won't be able to decide before certain deadlines (I know I can change majors if I want to, but I want to spare the trouble of switching). Based on my interests and desires, what would be best for me? What majors does the academy need? Thank you.
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I'm just the dad of a soon-to-be 2027 swab, so by no means any expert. My initial thought is you're interests are in quite opposite directions, so you probably need to do some thinking on what you really want to do.

Which two majors did you list on your academy application?

My thoughts are, if you're passionate about marine life, then MES is a no brainer and a great option. There should be a variety of billets in that area.

My other thought is, from everything I've read and heard, JAG is super competitive in general and I would imagine in a branch the size of the Coast Guard, it is tiny. I would think many needs are filled by bringing lawyers in via Direct Commission programs. I mean, I guess there's some sort of path to graduate the academy (I'm sure government is the best major option here), go to law school while honoring your service commitment, passing the bar, and working your way into JAG. It seems like a long hard road, so I'd think it would have to be something you're EXTREMELY passionate about.

Given your interests, Management major seems possibly a bit random.

There are many here that know more than me about any of this and the needs of the service. I would say with only 9 majors, they're all needed in a certain capacity and the mix slightly changes year to year. I've heard general statements during campus visits such as, "Naval Arch is tough to get in" because there are many applicants want to do it. I've also heard Cyber is hot right now because it's such a need and it's a new program and they're trying to build it up.

Again, just my thoughts and opinions.

Congratulations on CGAS and best of luck to you!!
 
I know some MES majors who try to specialize in environmental policy classes as electives. By no means do you have to be a government major to be selected to attend law school for the CG. You just really have to show academic aptitude (LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, etc.), receive really goods officer evaluations (OERS), and be recommended by command.
 
Not necessarily a direct answer to the OP, but in the past year the academy has added an academic provost and broken the nine majors into three Schools:
Part of the goal of the change was to make it easier to add majors and potentially support the creation of minors. There have been no changes along these lines yet, and no implied dates or plans, but by the time this class is admitted and gets on campus there may be more options announced.
 
Good morning,

I am a current cadet and a member of the class of 2025. I'd like to offer my perspective on the matter.

First, I'd like to explain something about the Coast Guard Academy: Your Major Does not Matter.

Let me explain. The reason there are so few majors at the academy is partially due to our size and partially due to the fact that your major has almost no impact on your billet after graduation. For example, In the class of 2023, I know at least two government majors who put in for Student Engineer billets, and many engineers here will end up as Deck Watch Officers. So here is the bottom line: when you graduate, you are not a mechanical engineer or a management major; you are an ensign in the Coast Guard.

Of course, there is some merit in picking a major aligned with your future career goals. Majoring in engineering will provide you with basic skills and qualifications that will assist you if you choose to be an underway engineer. Additionally, the government major will put you in contact with many officers who can help you become a JAG.

So my advice is to pick a major you will enjoy while you are here. I initially applied and was accepted as a NavArch, but after taking some introductory engineering courses, I decided to switch to ORDA (a great major, ask me about it if you are interested). Switching is a simple process. It requires a single sheet of paper and a brief meeting with your academic advisor.

On a slightly separate note, I did want to make a minor correction to Hope2BeA27BearDad's post. The hardest majors to get into if you put them on your application are Government and Management. Unfortunately, NavArch and the other STEM majors suffer from cadets leaving the major after 4/c year, so Admissions tries to fill them with as many cadets as possible.
 
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