USCGA EA and Regular Admissions

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Onlychild

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So, my DD was under the impression from attending virtual AIM and virtual admission brief that she could apply to the USCGA EA, and if her application wasn't strong enough, say retake the PFE; however, if they really wanted her, she would receive feedback and be able to resubmit before the regular admissions deadline. She has a strong package (medically qualified, grades, test scores, LOR, leadership, athletics - not being recruited). She works-out faithfully 5 days a week. She took the PFE the day before EA deadline, and she was not feeling well, insisted on taking it before the deadline to receive two looks - at least what she thought she understood, and to be honest, I heard something similar. Her PFA scores were not good, particularly the 1.5-mile run. Her teacher submitted the scores per her request. She knew her PFE scores were most likely not passing but figured she would resubmit for best scores once she was feeling better. Since she had not heard from admissions, she reached out to her AO and inquired about resubmitting her scores. She was told her application was in the preliminary review stage; therefore, she could not resubmit. She then inquired about resubmitting after the EA decisions are made and were told that applications are only reviewed once. She explained what she understood from AIM and the virtual admission meeting. The AO informed her that she might have heard to submit the application to her AO for feedback and then after taking recommended action. Since she applied for EA, if not selected, she would not receive a second look, nor will additional information be requested. Honestly, this particular AO has not been the most helpful and at times seemed not to be familiar with the processes as several replies have been "I don't think so, or that may not be the case." So, I am not sure if she has received accurate guidance. But, the USCGA is where she wants to be, she has received an LOA from one SA and the NROTC scholarship, but she's devastated and cannot believe she completely misunderstood on two occasions as USCGA is her #1 choice. Any advice? Should she just move on and decide between the other two options while she awaits her rejection letter, or should she consider a Prep school as a free agent since USCGA is her heart's desire? Thank you.
 
As I understand it, there are a few possible outcomes from the EA process. One is an appointment offer, another is a denial, and another is to be pushed to the RA pool for that second look you’re hoping for. Who knows - maybe there are also others? All of these outcomes are at the discretion of the Admissions Review Board, not the applicant. So it is possible that your daughter might not be outright denied. I say this with no experience and no idea about how the PFE is weighted in the decision process. My son also submitted his application for EA consideration and we are waiting for news. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding your daughter experienced. I will say, though, that my son knew going into the EA process that denials would not automatically move to RA which means that info must’ve been out there and accessible on the CGA website or perhaps the application itself. Maybe both. We have no prior SA experience of any kind so that knowledge wouldn’t have come from the grapevine. I do recall that there was a box on the application he had to check to indicate that he was applying for EA consideration as opposed to RA. And then he got an email stating that his application would be reviewed in the next two weeks. That email said (and I’m paraphrasing) that his application was being reviewed for EA and that if he wanted to change that to RA, he should get in touch with someone (contact info was provided) immediately. Your daughter should have gotten one of those emails too (my son’s went to his gmail promotions folder). Best of luck to your daughter. I feel your pain. My son waited until three days before the EA deadline to take his PFE. If anything had gone wrong, he’d have been left with little time to retake it.
 
It is not too uncommon to be able to update bits of your application after the submission deadline but it probably depends on where you application is in the process. If your daughter has an improved PFE score I would still advise her to send it to her AO. If she has received an LOA from another Service Academy then she is a strong candidate. If she has not received a rejection then she is still in the hunt for an acceptance.

My advice would be for to submit her improved score via an email to her and AO and for you to sit tight until the deadline for decision notifications.

Once she has her decision then you can all sit down and consider the options.
 
Based on what happened last year, there are 3 possible results from EA, acceptance, rejection, and deferral to regular admissions. Last year there were applicants deferred to regular action. They do expect that EA applicants submitted their strongest package with no additional inputs required. With that said, the hardest thing to do is wait. I wouldn't recommend doing anything until she knows what all her options are, especially since her first choice is the one she hasn't heard from yet. If she has an LOA from another service academy, then she should complete all of the required items, so she can choose. I can say, that in our experience, things work out in the end and your daughter will end up where she needs to be. My son did not end up where he had talked about and focused on for years, but is very glad it worked out that way.
 
The advice above is right on. I also recommend taking a look at the Applicant Handbook under downloadable forms in your DD’s application. I know it clarified a lot for me when I was in your shoes.
 
Just personal info from a pervious cycle. Someone applied EA, was hurt (from sports in HS at the time), sent in the poor run times, was denied EA, but was offered RA, retook the PFA and did better but was waitlisted and never appointed. Just something to keep in mind, all the SA's have a puzzle they try to piece together and if you fit into that puzzle the SA will work really hard to get you in, if you don't, then have that Plan B, C, and D ready to go. An LOA from USNA can go a long way, she can go there, graduate, then possibly lateral to the USCG after Commissioning. NROTC is the same, upon Commissioning there are opportunities for lateral, especially STEM types. And don't forget OCS, just go to college, take STEM type majors and apply to OCS upon graduation. And don't blame her AO, you are not the applicant and don't know all the facts, just remember there are options no matter what. There is usually more than one way to skin a cat so to speak.....don't throw in the towel, wait for EA deadline and see what happens.

Hope this helps a little to alleviate your stress level ;)
 
Onlychild said:
So, my DD was under the impression from attending virtual AIM and virtual admission brief that she could apply to the USCGA EA, and if her application wasn't strong enough, say retake the PFE; however, if they really wanted her, she would receive feedback and be able to resubmit before the regular admissions deadline. She has a strong package (medically qualified, grades, test scores, LOR, leadership, athletics - not being recruited). She works-out faithfully 5 days a week. She took the PFE the day before EA deadline, and she was not feeling well, insisted on taking it before the deadline to receive two looks - at least what she thought she understood, and to be honest, I heard something similar. Her PFA scores were not good, particularly the 1.5-mile run. Her teacher submitted the scores per her request. She knew her PFE scores were most likely not passing but figured she would resubmit for best scores once she was feeling better. Since she had not heard from admissions, she reached out to her AO and inquired about resubmitting her scores. She was told her application was in the preliminary review stage; therefore, she could not resubmit. She then inquired about resubmitting after the EA decisions are made and were told that applications are only reviewed once. She explained what she understood from AIM and the virtual admission meeting. The AO informed her that she might have heard to submit the application to her AO for feedback and then after taking recommended action. Since she applied for EA, if not selected, she would not receive a second look, nor will additional information be requested. Honestly, this particular AO has not been the most helpful and at times seemed not to be familiar with the processes as several replies have been "I don't think so, or that may not be the case." So, I am not sure if she has received accurate guidance. But, the USCGA is where she wants to be, she has received an LOA from one SA and the NROTC scholarship, but she's devastated and cannot believe she completely misunderstood on two occasions as USCGA is her #1 choice. Any advice? Should she just move on and decide between the other two options while she awaits her rejection letter, or should she consider a Prep school as a free agent since USCGA is her heart's desire? Thank you.
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Tough situation.

Here is one opinion. Put aside the devastation. If she intends to be a reapplicant, she should go the NROTC route. If she is willing to go to that other Service Academy where she has an LOA, recognize that many SA "kids" probably end up at a second choice SA. She may ultimately decide that other SA was a great fit anyway. But, she should not expect to reapply to CGA from another SA. I doubt that USCGA would like that approach under any circumstances. So, this situation is unfortunate but your daughter should weigh how important USCGA is to her future and decide whether she wants to take an approach that keeps it alive for another cycle, or whether she wants to be a part of the Army/Navy/Air Force instead.

I don't think there is any way around an Admissions Officer. I would encourage her to discuss the option of NROTC vs. Prep School with her AO in terms of a reapplication. I'd suggest she wait until she sees EA result before initiating that conversation, unless the PFE she submitted is such an obvious fail that there is no point in waiting to have the conversation. Perhaps the AO would appreciate the initiative taken by the conversation and decide to allow a retake of the PFE for Regular Admission, or even pull the EA application despite that some review had already taken place.

One comment on your daughter's approach, which may be coloring the AO's view of her. I think the admissions guidance from CGA is sufficiently clear that one should put in an EA application only if it is ready. Your daughter seems to have known that her application wasn't actually ready, or good enough for EA review (because she had a substandard PFE) and yet she asked admissions to waste its time reviewing her alongside the applicants who were actually ready with passing PFE scores. It is just difficult to understand why, even with the misunderstanding, this would have seemed a good idea. Difficult to understand why USCGA would suggest that any candidate press the EA button when he/she knew he/she is doing so with a failing PFE score. This (a PFE) is an area where a candidate can fail and if in that situation, the candidate is just asking to be disqualified from serious consideration if they know they are submitting a failing score. Also, the PFE scoring tables permit candidates to know exactly where they stand in terms of passing and grade scale, which gives the candidate more information than he/she would have at another SA. So, any applicant who puts in an application with a PFE score that is below the type of score that is typical of the entering class should think twice and three times about applying EA. A better approach might be to spend seven more weeks training, raise scores and then apply.
 
My DS received much better ACT scores (Math went from 30 to 33) prior to November. He contacted the AO to see if they could be included for EA. Basically he was told that 15 OCT was the deadline and “NOTHING” can be added after the 15th.

The EA and RA practice for USCGA is extremely confusing. It seems that the rules or process has changed a number of times over the last few years. I am with the OP... we attended a Bear Day in FEB and were led to believe EA applications would roll to RA. If that was not the case my DS would have just waited and applied RA.

I think USCGA may be missing out on quality Candidates.
 
Pass/Fail on the PFE is not a known quantity. Who is to know the low end of acceptable? It’s simply a metric, and I wouldn’t say it’s wasting time for the Admissions Office.

Other SA’s often ask Candidate’s to retake the CFA If numbers are marginal. Applications are not even considered ”complete“ without passing scores. One bad run should not close the door for an otherwise solid Candidate. The smart move would be to roll that application to RA and let the Candidate know that their PFE score is not passing.

Once again, I don’t think USCGA Admissions has done a good job of making the process clear.
 
SF_DAD said:
My DS received much better ACT scores (Math went from 30 to 33) prior to November. He contacted the AO to see if they could be included for EA. Basically he was told that 15 OCT was the deadline and “NOTHING” can be added after the 15th.

The EA and RA practice for USCGA is extremely confusing. It seems that the rules or process has changed a number of times over the last few years. I am with the OP... we attended a Bear Day in FEB and were led to believe EA applications would roll to RA. If that was not the case my DS would have just waited and applied RA.

I think USCGA may be missing out on quality Candidates.
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From my son going through the process and not gaining an appointment, EA can get an outright rejection. They have started that they may roll some to RA but it's not a guarantee.
 
SF_DAD said:
Once again, I don’t think USCGA Admissions has done a good job of making the process clear
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It suprises me to see this, since I felt like admissions emphasized in multiple ways only to apply EA if the applicants package was "final", and not to apply early if they were waiting for test scores or first semester grades to show improvement. They did give the caveat that some may be deferred to RA, but not all.
 
DS already has test scores... the part that could be smoother is the part about being deferred to RA.
 
Fairfaxmom said:
Based on what happened last year, there are 3 possible results from EA, acceptance, rejection, and deferral to regular admissions. Last year there were applicants deferred to regular action. They do expect that EA applicants submitted their strongest package with no additional inputs required. With that said, the hardest thing to do is wait. I wouldn't recommend doing anything until she knows what all her options are, especially since her first choice is the one she hasn't heard from yet. If she has an LOA from another service academy, then she should complete all of the required items, so she can choose. I can say, that in our experience, things work out in the end and your daughter will end up where she needs to be. My son did not end up where he had talked about and focused on for years, but is very glad it worked out that way.
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This is not correct. There are 4 possible outcomes when applying EA.

1. Acceptance
2. Rejection
3. Defer to RA
4. Offer of CGAS (Prep School)
 
Fairfaxmom said:
It suprises me to see this, since I felt like admissions emphasized in multiple ways only to apply EA if the applicants package was "final", and not to apply early if they were waiting for test scores or first semester grades to show improvement. They did give the caveat that some may be deferred to RA, but not all.
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I also got this guidance during virtual AIM. My AO in the session explicitly stated that if you are applying EA, you need to put forth your best package, and to wait until RA if even one aspect of your package is subpar/average. It seemed clear to me that EA is for the candidates who can put together a great, well-rounded package by October 15 because they are going up against similarly great candidates with well-rounded packages.

As for deferral to RA, the Applicant Handbook states that 75-100 EA applicants are offered to defer to RA, and will have their record re-evaluated upon receipt of a 7-semester transcript. To my knowledge, CGA does not publish the stats of how many are accepted/denied from EA, but please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
 
Fairfaxmom said:
It suprises me to see this, since I felt like admissions emphasized in multiple ways only to apply EA if the applicants package was "final", and not to apply early if they were waiting for test scores or first semester grades to show improvement. They did give the caveat that some may be deferred to RA, but not all.
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I agree. My daughter is currently at USCGA (class of 2024). She fully understood that there was no guarantee of being rolled into RA consideration if she was not accepted EA. The average scores for the PFE (and SAT and ACT) are available for past classes, so my daughter knew that she was not going to submit EA if she didn't at least have a PFE with the average score.

However, she also submitted additional information after sending in her application. She didn't send new test scores, but she did submit additional resume type items, including her first quarter grades, class rank, that she had been voted team captain, etc... Her AO encouraged this, saying it showed she was still working hard during her senior year, and said he would add them to her application. But, anything she submitted was before her application was officially reviewed. Last year they seemed to review a bit later since the first notifications of acceptance were not until 10 December last year.
 
Onlychild said:
So, my DD was under the impression from attending virtual AIM and virtual admission brief that she could apply to the USCGA EA, and if her application wasn't strong enough, say retake the PFE; however, if they really wanted her, she would receive feedback and be able to resubmit before the regular admissions deadline. She has a strong package (medically qualified, grades, test scores, LOR, leadership, athletics - not being recruited). She works-out faithfully 5 days a week. She took the PFE the day before EA deadline, and she was not feeling well, insisted on taking it before the deadline to receive two looks - at least what she thought she understood, and to be honest, I heard something similar. Her PFA scores were not good, particularly the 1.5-mile run. Her teacher submitted the scores per her request. She knew her PFE scores were most likely not passing but figured she would resubmit for best scores once she was feeling better. Since she had not heard from admissions, she reached out to her AO and inquired about resubmitting her scores. She was told her application was in the preliminary review stage; therefore, she could not resubmit. She then inquired about resubmitting after the EA decisions are made and were told that applications are only reviewed once. She explained what she understood from AIM and the virtual admission meeting. The AO informed her that she might have heard to submit the application to her AO for feedback and then after taking recommended action. Since she applied for EA, if not selected, she would not receive a second look, nor will additional information be requested. Honestly, this particular AO has not been the most helpful and at times seemed not to be familiar with the processes as several replies have been "I don't think so, or that may not be the case." So, I am not sure if she has received accurate guidance. But, the USCGA is where she wants to be, she has received an LOA from one SA and the NROTC scholarship, but she's devastated and cannot believe she completely misunderstood on two occasions as USCGA is her #1 choice. Any advice? Should she just move on and decide between the other two options while she awaits her rejection letter, or should she consider a Prep school as a free agent since USCGA is her heart's desire? Thank you.
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There has already been a lot of great advice/guidance posted by those who have "been there, done that" but I wanted to echo the suggestion about your daughter reading the Applicant Handbook and I would recommend the same to anyone who believes our application process is confusing. We believe it's a great resource and can help in those situations where she remembers hearing one thing at AIM or during another Admissions event, but now she's hearing something different from her Admissions Officer (AO). I wish I could tell you that our AOs never make mistakes or incorrectly answer questions, but they are human so both happen; however, I can say that they will never intentionally give you bad information and we will always acknowledge/correct mistakes when they're brought to our attention.

As outlined at the top of Page 4 in the Applicant Handbook, applicants are encouraged to e-mail their AO after they apply to continue updating their record anytime they want to add something. In addition to your daughter's AO, you can outreach to LCDR Tony Borruso, our Recruiting Section Chief (https://www.uscga.edu/aborruso/), if you have questions and I know he would be interested in helping her resolve this problem. Finally, new application material can always be submitted directly to LT Eric Back, our Processing Section Chief, and his contact information is available either in the Applicant Handbook or at the bottom of https://www.uscga.edu/apply/ for your reference. If CGA is her first choice, I would encourage her to clear up this miscommunication and get her improved/updated PFE results submitted as soon as possible because her record is still under review until she receives a decision letter from us.
 
Thank you very much! I realize nothing is guaranteed, but this does give her some hope. Happy Holidays!
 
Objee said:
There has already been a lot of great advice/guidance posted by those who have "been there, done that" but I wanted to echo the suggestion about your daughter reading the Applicant Handbook and I would recommend the same to anyone who believes our application process is confusing. We believe it's a great resource and can help in those situations where she remembers hearing one thing at AIM or during another Admissions event, but now she's hearing something different from her Admissions Officer (AO). I wish I could tell you that our AOs never make mistakes or incorrectly answer questions, but they are human so both happen; however, I can say that they will never intentionally give you bad information and we will always acknowledge/correct mistakes when they're brought to our attention.

As outlined at the top of Page 4 in the Applicant Handbook, applicants are encouraged to e-mail their AO after they apply to continue updating their record anytime they want to add something. In addition to your daughter's AO, you can outreach to LCDR Tony Borruso, our Recruiting Section Chief (https://www.uscga.edu/aborruso/), if you have questions and I know he would be interested in helping her resolve this problem. Finally, new application material can always be submitted directly to LT Eric Back, our Processing Section Chief, and his contact information is available either in the Applicant Handbook or at the bottom of https://www.uscga.edu/apply/ for your reference. If CGA is her first choice, I would encourage her to clear up this miscommunication and get her improved/updated PFE results submitted as soon as possible because her record is still under review until she receives a decision letter from us.
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Objee,
Thank you for the insight. My DS did not realize that an updated PFE could be submitted. As I posted before he was told that 15 OCT was the hard deadline.
Will updated ACT scores be looked at prior to a final decision the same way as a new PFE score?
 
SF_DAD said:
Objee,
Thank you for the insight. My DS did not realize that an updated PFE could be submitted. As I posted before he was told that 15 OCT was the hard deadline.
Will updated ACT scores be looked at prior to a final decision the same way as a new PFE score?
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October 15th was the "hard deadline" for students to submit their application for Early Action (EA), but then the deadline for all required application material (letters of recommendation, PFE results, etc.) to be received for EA was November 1st and that was actually extended to November 15th this year. EA applicants are notified via e-mail when their record is complete and scheduled for review, so that's a good time to submit any final updates or decide to switch to Regular Admission, but there is never a deadline for an applicant to update their record with new information. Regardless of final outcome, each record goes through at least three reviews before a decision letter is published, so new information that may not have been considered during the initial review could be available for subsequent reviews. That's why we always tell applicants that their record is under review until they receive a decision letter from us.
 
You can be deferred multiple times by USCGA. When DS applied EA two years ago he was deferred to Regular Admission. Then he was deferred again untill April. Then he was deferred once more. Each time he had to send an email stating he was still interested.
He eventually gave up after he received an USNA appointment and AROTC scholarship.
 
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