USMA vs CGA

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Feb 18, 2020
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My DD actually received her appointments to USMA and CGA the same day :D! Now she has the hard decision to decide which one is the right one for her --lucky girl for sure! We are trying to provide her food for thought without pushing her one way or the other. Any recommendations on things she should consider, opinions on one vs the other?
 
My DD actually received her appointments to USMA and CGA the same day :D! Now she has the hard decision to decide which one is the right one for her --lucky girl for sure! We are trying to provide her food for thought without pushing her one way or the other. Any recommendations on things she should consider, opinions on one vs the other?
Does she want to serve in the Army or the Coast Guard after?
 
My DD actually received her appointments to USMA and CGA the same day :D! Now she has the hard decision to decide which one is the right one for her --lucky girl for sure! We are trying to provide her food for thought without pushing her one way or the other. Any recommendations on things she should consider, opinions on one vs the other?
 
Does she want to serve in the Army or the Coast Guard after?
She's torn between them. She likes the CGA mission long term, but really likes West Point. They also have an amazing program for her chosen sport at WP.
 
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My DD actually received her appointments to USMA and CGA the same day :D! Now she has the hard decision to decide which one is the right one for her --lucky girl for sure! We are trying to provide her food for thought without pushing her one way or the other. Any recommendations on things she should consider, opinions on one vs the other?
I’d say the best way to choose is by looking at each branch’s mission and see which one fits her standards of what she wants to do as a career. Congrats by the way!!
 
My DD actually received her appointments to USMA and CGA the same day :D! Now she has the hard decision to decide which one is the right one for her --lucky girl for sure! We are trying to provide her food for thought without pushing her one way or the other. Any recommendations on things she should consider, opinions on one vs the other?
Awesome choices. My son is a Firstie at West Point, and when I ask if he would have gone to either usna or usafa (had appointment to both), he says no, but might have done CGA. A coast guard career would be very cool.

My two cents would be that a 17-18 year old kid has absolutely no way of knowing if he/she would "prefer a career" in any branch over another, and probably can't predict at that age whether or not a military career is the best option at all. Go with what feels best for whatever the reason right now, and hope it works out.

I will say that, while the education itself is probably pretty equal at all of the academies, a degree from West Point will always carry that historical prestige, and that is worth as much or more than any Ivy League school for sure. So the civilian career element may favor USMA, but still, have her decide based on what feels best in her heart. Both are fantastic.

...Me? I'd rather be in the CG than the Army. Just saying.

But, Go Army! Beat Navy!
 
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Awesome choices. My son is a Firstie at West Point, and when I ask if he would have gone to either usna or usafa (had appointment to both), he says no, but might have done CGA. A coast guard career would be very cool.

My two cents would be that a 17-18 year old kid has absolutely no way of knowing if he/she would "prefer a career" in any branch over another, and probably can't predict at that age whether or not a military career is the best option at all. Go with what feels best for whatever the reason right now, and hope it works out.

I will say that, while the education itself is probably pretty equal at all of the academies, a degree from West Point will always carry that historical prestige, and that is worth as much or more than any Ivy League school for sure. So the civilian career element may favor USMA, but still, have her decide based on what feels best in her heart. Both are fantastic.

...Me? I'd rather be in the CG than the Army. Just saying.

But, Go Army! Beat Navy!
This is our struggle. We think the West Point historical prestige is so hard to pass up, it opens so many doors post any military career. Unfortunately a CGA degree doesn't have the same long term effect but is still so cool and should have the same prestige. She attended AIM at CGA last summer and really loved it, and likes the size better. However, she loves West Point, has for years --hard choice that ultimately she can't really go wrong with either option.
 
I would echo the advice of many to think about the 5+ years after graduation. This is what swayed our son to choose West Point over CGA and USAFA. My wife and I were fortunate to tour CGA and it is a wonderful place. I really don’t think you can go wrong either way so congratulations on having that choice.
 
This is our struggle. We think the West Point historical prestige is so hard to pass up, it opens so many doors post any military career. Unfortunately a CGA degree doesn't have the same long term effect but is still so cool and should have the same prestige. She attended AIM at CGA last summer and really loved it, and likes the size better. However, she loves West Point, has for years --hard choice that ultimately she can't really go wrong with either option.
Both schools are abundantly excellent, and both are high ranking. If CGA left her with a great feeling, and she felt comfortable there, I bet she won't regret her decision to go there if she heads in that direction. West Point definitely has the wow factor when you visit, but there is a lot more to it than that.

There is no crystal ball, and there is no right or wrong answer to the question. Your daughter need to do due diligence, and then make the best decision she can; from the heart. Then live with it. It will work out well either way.
 
If she truly plans to make the service her "Career" then either one is GREAT, depending on if she likes to be on the water (sometimes in really bad weather), or prefers the land (although the Army has the worlds second largest Navy). CGA is more of a "family" type of experience and the class sizes are smaller and you remember ALL your classmates more so than West Point. JMHO, but look at the post academy careers and advancement paths, as has been plainly stated above, the Academy is only 4 years, then you have to serve up to 8 years AD (dependent on the needs of the service) so it is important to pick a field that your daughter enjoys.

The major draw (IMHO) for West Point is the AOG! If she is looking beyond her service career, WP has CG trumped because their AOG is so very active and they help each other for the rest of their lives. Because CG is much smaller, their AOG is much smaller and sometimes may not have the "connections" of a larger AOG. This is JMHO, and having served in the CG for 10 years, I LOVED IT and would not give it back for anything. The CG was for me "THE PLACE TO BE" and fulfilled my seamanship, leadership, and Law Enforcement desires...:)
 
Make a pro/con list for both the school and the career. Writing it down, comparing everything, always helps.
 
No Coast Guard bases in west Texas, North Georgia, etc. Deployments aren't usually as long as other services either. But most Coasties don't get to blow stuff up or shoot at anyone. What's she want to do? Who is she? Her own pro con list has to reflect what she likes/wants/needs.
 
I have the benefit of having a 2021 at West Point and a 2023 at USCGA. I can tell you they are very unique and distinct experiences. Both have their hardships and highlights. The BEST advice I have seen was above - Choose the mission not the school ( assuming the program you want exists in both). With my 2021, USCGA was never on their radar, but retrospectively they said they would have at least "kicked the tires". For my 2023, following my 2021 at West Point was a dream that a denied Medical Waiver killed, BUT has proclaimed numerous times, that it was the best thing that ever happened.

West Point is part of much larger machine, with so many different possible paths and outcomes once you graduate. However their primary mission is military defense. You have to be ok with that, if not crave that. The Coast Guard, while extremely dangerous and rewarding has a different mission, MANY different missions as we are learning, but again you have to be ok with life on the sea. You could end up on a small cutter with shorter duration at sea or a very large cutter where it could be months out. As with West Point, You have to be ok with that, if not crave that.

The shorter version is, you know in your heart which one calls out to you more. Quiet reflection can sometimes make hard decisions come into focus. I personally think you cannot go wrong with either, just understand the missions and follow your gut. That's all this old man has to share, but I hope it helps.
 
While visits aren’t possible now, nothing stopping you from talking or communicating with Cadets, etc. at the various academies. They will make themselves available to CCs. Find current Cadets, etc. through admissions or local parent clubs.
 
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