USCGA 2020 appointments

Isn't that only available at certain designated schools? Do you know how difficult it is to be accepted into the program?
 
Isn't that only available at certain designated schools? Do you know how difficult it is to be accepted into the program?
Check their website: Historically Black schools, Hispanic Serving Institutions, 4 schools in Hawaii, 1 in Guam (I think) and Tribal Universities. Most, outside of Tribal Universities, are open to all students.
Some are private, some are state. You can also be attending a school not on the list, if 50% or more of the school population is minority and the CG approves it.
I don't see it as any harder than a SA application.
Start the paperwork early, get accepted to the approved school, and submit by the date in January.
An average of 38 students/yr have applied since the inception, and only 75 applied last year.
 
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DS checked his portal this morning (went to bed at 5:30 PM last night because he was sick) and received his "declined" at 9 AM.
Thankful now we know which direction to take and move---- University of Georgia and Air Force Reserves.

He will be graduating HS in about 6 weeks and will be highly decorated (sashes,ropes and metals) walking across that stage with 13 college credits already under his belt, and it was because for the past two years, he had put an extreme amount of effort into himself, both academically and physically after attending AIM two years ago and seeing what it was all about.

Good Luck to those who are still waiting! TOMORROW will be IT!!!!!!!!!!

I am so sorry. Hang in there...he can always reapply next year if he so chooses.
 
An average of 38 students/yr have applied since the inception, and only 75 applied last year.[/QUOTE]

Do you have any idea what the acceptance rate is for those who apply? Thanks for the info...
 
Nooooo!! I am heartbroken for you!!

Oh don't be.....my DS is a go getter all on his own and I trust he will totally thrive with what ever path he's going to be given and takes! All's we have done as parents is raised him and have tried to give him ample opportunities to have the doors open........he is a twin..and his twin brother is nothing like this at all....it's ALL IN THE KID....and their drive to succeed. When we were introduced to AIM in 2014, his twin brother turned his nose to it...he was like "OK, sounds neat, I want to try it"....we boarded our newly 16 year old of 1 month onto his first alone plane trip and sent him to New London....we flew to his "graduation" and after, walked around Mystic (?). We had no expectations and he said he loved it....something he'd like to do. Again, if it wasn't for this, I don't know how focused he would of been on academics and pushing himself in that area. Athletics came to him naturally very young (his brother was the brain)...4 yr varsity letter in track, 4 yr varsity letter in marching band, section leader, woodwind captain, Luther Armstrong award, NHS, Beta, BMX National #20, 2nd place in sprint triathlon, swim coach for state special olympics and held a part time job as a life guard for 2 years...and so on and so on...so...............the only thing we can think of is ACT scores...he freezes on tests....but has a 3.9 gpa. He has taken 4 college classes (finishing Calculus with an A) this year and has taken a few AP classes last year. So who knows how these superior young men and women are chosen. But....It's going to be perfectly fine. I trust my DS and his choices all the way... he has been accepted to 5 colleges, two are awesome (Auburn & UGA) so we have many many options laying on the table...CGA was just the Plan A......Spring Break starts Fri. at 3:45--- and I am very very happy to know that we move forward in another direction. I will now, more than likely, be a Georgia Bulldog MOM! ha ha.
And yes, that is my son in my avatar-(been asked)--when he was in AIM, 1st session and my screen name is my name ...never changed it because I figured nobody would believe it anyhow!

Honestly, thank you for such kind words from you all sitting in the waiting game still. I am proud of my DS and am in awe of his drive....he will get very far in life!!!! It's only just begun!
 
An average of 38 students/yr have applied since the inception, and only 75 applied last year.

Do you have any idea what the acceptance rate is for those who apply? Thanks for the info...

From the Handy Dandy book I found on line "United States Coast Guard Recruiting Command, Officer Application Job Aid Kit (O-JAK)"
Officer Scholarship Program, College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI)

page 51 has a chart for years 2010 to 2015 ranging from 25/31 applicants selected in 2010 (80.64%) to 40/76 selected in 2015 (52.63%).
page 52 shows applicants average GPA, ASVAB, SAT, and ACT. I would think those students who are competitive for a SA would fare well in CSPI.
 
Oh don't be.....my DS is a go getter all on his own and I trust he will totally thrive with what ever path he's going to be given and takes! All's we have done as parents is raised him and have tried to give him ample opportunities to have the doors open........he is a twin..and his twin brother is nothing like this at all....it's ALL IN THE KID....and their drive to succeed. When we were introduced to AIM in 2014, his twin brother turned his nose to it...he was like "OK, sounds neat, I want to try it"....we boarded our newly 16 year old of 1 month onto his first alone plane trip and sent him to New London....we flew to his "graduation" and after, walked around Mystic (?). We had no expectations and he said he loved it....something he'd like to do. Again, if it wasn't for this, I don't know how focused he would of been on academics and pushing himself in that area. Athletics came to him naturally very young (his brother was the brain)...4 yr varsity letter in track, 4 yr varsity letter in marching band, section leader, woodwind captain, Luther Armstrong award, NHS, Beta, BMX National #20, 2nd place in sprint triathlon, swim coach for state special olympics and held a part time job as a life guard for 2 years...and so on and so on...so...............the only thing we can think of is ACT scores...he freezes on tests....but has a 3.9 gpa. He has taken 4 college classes (finishing Calculus with an A) this year and has taken a few AP classes last year. So who knows how these superior young men and women are chosen. But....It's going to be perfectly fine. I trust my DS and his choices all the way... he has been accepted to 5 colleges, two are awesome (Auburn & UGA) so we have many many options laying on the table...CGA was just the Plan A......Spring Break starts Fri. at 3:45--- and I am very very happy to know that we move forward in another direction. I will now, more than likely, be a Georgia Bulldog MOM! ha ha.
And yes, that is my son in my avatar-(been asked)--when he was in AIM, 1st session and my screen name is my name ...never changed it because I figured nobody would believe it anyhow!

Honestly, thank you for such kind words from you all sitting in the waiting game still. I am proud of my DS and am in awe of his drive....he will get very far in life!!!! It's only just begun!

UGA is awesome (I went to the Pharmacy College a long time ago). It has some of the best programs in the country. He can't go wrong there and Athens is a great town.

H
 
Disappointed my child didn't get in. It's all a little curious what they look for. I think, honestly, from what I've observed, if you are close to the top of your HS class, high GPA then you have a better chance. Not sure the leadership activities, etc. make a difference because my child had top notch community involvement and leadership experience. Also had great SAT scores, way above the average in math. GPA was about 3.4 but SAT scores were off the chart. If they look at the "whole person", a holistic approach, then I don't understand. Also, if you are recruited to play a sport or you are a minority then you have a better chance. I'm not saying that I'm against that but that is just the reality. Take care everyone.
 
I really dislike class rank being considered in anything but they do it. With my Ds...at a 3.9 ..he only ranks 99 out of 337...if we moved a county over [and people do it for kiddos senior year] , he would be top 10...
 
ditto-- my DD's school has 700 kids in her class--- the top 125 students have over 4.0, it is very difficult to even be in the top 25% as those are all 3.8- 3.9. The valedictorian last year had a 5.06 because of the many AP courses offered at our school... we were told that the colleges and the admission folks are aware of what the schools offer and the academic demographics.... yet, the scrutiny of what it takes to get in is quite perplexing. We are off to our Plan B tomorrow to meet with the Engineering folks! Best wishes to you !
 
Do you have any idea what the acceptance rate is for those who apply? Thanks for the info...

From the Handy Dandy book I found on line "United States Coast Guard Recruiting Command, Officer Application Job Aid Kit (O-JAK)"
Officer Scholarship Program, College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI)

page 51 has a chart for years 2010 to 2015 ranging from 25/31 applicants selected in 2010 (80.64%) to 40/76 selected in 2015 (52.63%).
page 52 shows applicants average GPA, ASVAB, SAT, and ACT. I would think those students who are competitive for a SA would fare well in CSPI.
Our oldest DS got news of being on the alternate list for CSPI. His younger brother was selected for CGAS. We received the news about each around a week and a half apart. It is a bit of a roller coaster of emotion in our home right now. Our DS's recruiter says he will find out by 4 April if he will move from alternate to primary for CSPl.
 
What you surmise sounds reasonable. I would guess that the AOs take the first cut to determine which candidates are qualified academically assuming the candidates are DODMERB qualified and have passed the PFE. In essence, I think they want to make sure everybody under consideration by the admissions board will be able to handle the academic workload. Beyond that, I can't say what a definition of a "strong" candidate is. The cadet corps is a very rich group made up of people with a multitude of talents and skills. That given, those that you or I consider to be strong candidates may not be viewed that favorably by the admissions board. I would think that once candidates make the academic cut, the next question that would be asked is "what can this candidate do for the academy besides not flunk out." This is where the diversity of the academy is built, and I'm not speaking of racial/ethnic diversity. The academy has a large number of varsity sports, so I would guess coaches have some input on specific qualified candidates. The academy also is rich in the arts. Those who play instruments and can contribute to the academy's various ensembles and bands are probably looked upon favorably. The cadets put on plays and musicals, which require additional talents. The academy also has strong chorus and glee club programs which serve as fantastic ambassadors. There also are a multitude of additional clubs/teams that highlight the academy, from the competitive cyber security team to the model United Nations team. There are probably dozens of others that I can't think of. You see, the academy has needs for a wide range of students with a broad range of talents. I think that having stellar grades, class rank, and test scores certainly gets you a close look. Beyond that, I can't say what would make you a strong candidate without knowing the needs of the academy for that particular incoming class.

Mascara_Mon, I can understand your frustrations. I think AlexT post sums it up. At the end of the day, the USCGA is a very small school, and the majority of their students MUST be part of some sports or arts program. That is why the CCEB is made up of both coaches and staff. When my DS attended AIM last summer, they specifically told him not to apply during EA, as although he had a high GPA and was in the top 11% of his class, since he was not currently active in any sports programs, he would not get an acceptance during the EA process. So in my DS case, he waited until RA to apply. The other frustration is a case in point from the aChipmunk "How does CGA compare to other engineering programs?" Where he applied on a whim, didn't know his AO, didn't attend AIM, and didn't make any efforts to appropriately think through the lifestyle adaptations of what it means to serve, however he received an appointment. The frustration here is not intended on aChipmunk at all, but the clear reality the CCEB cannot properly vet every candidate in a manner that allows them to understand and appropriately weigh the candidates overall character, skills, and school ranking / grades. Although I am happy for all of the Class of 2020 appointees, I cannot help but think that there are a percentage of rejected candidates that more appropriately align as a USCGA cadet and future leader, but the current process is inhibits the ability to properly vet them out.
 
Mascara_Mon, I can understand your frustrations. I think AlexT post sums it up. At the end of the day, the USCGA is a very small school, and the majority of their students MUST be part of some sports or arts program. That is why the CCEB is made up of both coaches and staff. When my DS attended AIM last summer, they specifically told him not to apply during EA, as although he had a high GPA and was in the top 11% of his class, since he was not currently active in any sports programs, he would not get an acceptance during the EA process. So in my DS case, he waited until RA to apply. The other frustration is a case in point from the aChipmunk "How does CGA compare to other engineering programs?" Where he applied on a whim, didn't know his AO, didn't attend AIM, and didn't make any efforts to appropriately think through the lifestyle adaptations of what it means to serve, however he received an appointment. The frustration here is not intended on aChipmunk at all, but the clear reality the CCEB cannot properly vet every candidate in a manner that allows them to understand and appropriately weigh the candidates overall character, skills, and school ranking / grades. Although I am happy for all of the Class of 2020 appointees, I cannot help but think that there are a percentage of rejected candidates that more appropriately align as a USCGA cadet and future leader, but the current process is inhibits the ability to properly vet them out.
I don't think anyone will fully understand what holistic criteria is used to select appointees. I do know that I have heard from several people that it definitely is not all about the grades and they want to see a well-rounded candidate. They want to see sports, leadership, volunteering and etc. I honestly do not think there is a cut and dried formula of how they make the decisions. My heart goes out to those that did not get chosen. Please apply next year. There are several academy cadets that did not get in on their first application. Congrats to all who received appointments. I will be hoping and praying for all the waitlisters that good things come your way.
 
I wanted to wait for daughter to finish her day before she opens the portal to find out. Either way it will make a big difference in life.
Maybe I should go clean the garage......:idea:
 
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