Virtual AIM and waitlist

[CGA_curious]

My kid was put on the waitlist and offered virtual AIM. Do the two always go hand in hand, as in everyone who is waitlisted is offered virtual or do some people get offered one and not the other?

Any idea what the chances are of getting off the waitlist? We weren’t sure if waitlist/virtual is something that they offer everyone who isn’t given an in-person spot or if some applicants are not offered anything.

And does anyone have a sense of how interactive the virtual AIM is? My kid really struggles with the virtual format in general, so the more interactive the better.

 

[TriMom64]

My kid was put on the waitlist and offered virtual AIM. Do the two always go hand in hand, as in everyone who is waitlisted is offered virtual or do some people get offered one and not the other?

Any idea what the chances are of getting off the waitlist? We weren’t sure if waitlist/virtual is something that they offer everyone who isn’t given an in-person spot or if some applicants are not offered anything.

And does anyone have a sense of how interactive the virtual AIM is? My kid really struggles with the virtual format in general, so the more interactive the better.

Some applicants are denied. Not everyone is offered a virtual or the waitlist. I can't comment on how interactive the virtual AIM experience is, but I am sure someone else will jump on and advise you on that.

 

[CGA_curious]

Some applicants are denied. Not everyone is offered a virtual or the waitlist. I can't comment on how interactive the virtual AIM experience is, but I am sure someone else will jump on and advise you on that.

Thank you. We’ve heard some elite schools have huge waitlists that really serve more as “soft” rejections than genuine opportunities, so didn’t know if that is how the AIM waitlist works, too.

 

[frisbee]

My kid was put on the waitlist and offered virtual AIM. Do the two always go hand in hand, as in everyone who is waitlisted is offered virtual or do some people get offered one and not the other?

Any idea what the chances are of getting off the waitlist? We weren’t sure if waitlist/virtual is something that they offer everyone who isn’t given an in-person spot or if some applicants are not offered anything.

And does anyone have a sense of how interactive the virtual AIM is? My kid really struggles with the virtual format in general, so the more interactive the better.

I did virtual aim last year and it was fine. It was kind of hard to focus through the whole thing. There were some pretty cool presentations about the missions of the Coast Guard, and overall it was a good experience, but some of the presented info actually turned out to be false, specifically about the guaranteed interview for virtual aim people, and some early action stuff, but I attribute that to the changing of admission staff last year. My personal advice is to go to Cadet for a Day or any kind of in person event at the academy, and try to visit an actual Coast Guard sector or station. My AO held an event at sector SF and it was by far the best admissions event I attended throughout the whole process.

Last year they said that the people at virtual AIM were qualified applicants but simply lost a lottery to be at in person AIM. There are probably about a couple hundred waitlisted/virtual applicants. I can't speak to the likelihood of getting pulled from the wait-list. Good luck!

 

[StPaulDad]

I've posted this before, but my DD did the first virtual AIM back in 2020 during Covid. If you have trouble doing virtual it may not be awesome. She did get an interview, she did get to spend some time hanging out with her cadre after sessions, there was time for pretty open Q&A to explore areas of interest to the kids. She didn't get the backpack or a chance to run up hills or take the PFE or see the campus, but we visited that fall and got to wander around. She stayed in touch with some of the kids from her virtual company and had a good enough time to really cement her desire to attend.

Virtual AIM is actually a very good option for a lot of people. For one thing it allows CGA to increase the attendance numbers beyond what in-person sessions would allow. It's also cheaper for those kids who can't afford to travel, and it trims off the travel days and thus fits into crowded schedules better for some. I guess the value of virtual AIM for any individual will be determined by what you expect from it. Just remember that a lot of cadets never went to AIM and a lot of AIMsters never set foot on campus again.

 

[CGA_curious]

I did virtual aim last year and it was fine. It was kind of hard to focus through the whole thing. There were some pretty cool presentations about the missions of the Coast Guard, and overall it was a good experience, but some of the presented info actually turned out to be false, specifically about the guaranteed interview for virtual aim people, and some early action stuff, but I attribute that to the changing of admission staff last year. My personal advice is to go to Cadet for a Day or any kind of in person event at the academy, and try to visit an actual Coast Guard sector or station. My AO held an event at sector SF and it was by far the best admissions event I attended throughout the whole process.

Last year they said that the people at virtual AIM were qualified applicants but simply lost a lottery to be at in person AIM. There are probably about a couple hundred waitlisted/virtual applicants. I can't speak to the likelihood of getting pulled from the wait-list. Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your experience. We figured AIM was a long shot, both because it’s competitive and because we are local-ish, and assume the CGA would prioritize people who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to get to campus. It’s nice to know the admissions officers see those who attend the virtual session as qualified.

We will definitely make a point to visit in person. We have already attended the basic admissions brief with tour, and my kid plans to return for Bears day or Cadet for a day. Our family even got to go on the Eagle and talk with cadets during the Maritime Heritage Festival in New London last fall. The prospect of swab summer is sort of intimidating, so from a purely physical standpoint, AIM was a way to reassure my kid that it’s hard but doable, but we are aware of the privilege we have to live within driving distance of the academy for other visits.

 

[frisbee]

Thank you for sharing your experience. We figured AIM was a long shot, both because it’s competitive and because we are local-ish, and assume the CGA would prioritize people who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to get to campus. It’s nice to know the admissions officers see those who attend the virtual session as qualified.

Additionally, I would like to say that AIM status does not reflect whether the academy wants someone or not. It is a wholly different thing than the actual application, and your kid's chances will not be hurt if they don't end up at in person AIM. That said, I'd say try to take the most out of virtual AIM as possible. Have a notebook ready, since it is hours of pure information, and I can say personally that if it weren't for my notetaking I wouldn't have been able to retain everything presented. A lot of what I know about the procedures of the fleet came from virtual AIM, and I'd say it definitely opened my eyes to the breadth of roles which the Coast Guard offers for officers. Overall very helpful in cementing that this is where I want to go.

 

[jerseyflax]

The AIM information states that signing up for specific weeks of AIM are filled on a first come first served basis and that it opens at 9:00 am on Saturday. How quickly do they fill up? I will not be able to log on to register until mid day on Saturday due to another commitment but concerned that all the spots during the one week will I can attend will be taken.

 

[Iwutke]

The AIM information states that signing up for specific weeks of AIM are filled on a first come first served basis and that it opens at 9:00 am on Saturday. How quickly do they fill up? I will not be able to log on to register until mid day on Saturday due to another commitment but concerned that all the spots during the one week will I can attend will be taken.

Can a family member sit at the computer and sign you up? They may need any of your passwords.

 

[Sailboy07]

The AIM information states that signing up for specific weeks of AIM are filled on a first come first served basis and that it opens at 9:00 am on Saturday. How quickly do they fill up? I will not be able to log on to register until mid day on Saturday due to another commitment but concerned that all the spots during the one week will I can attend will be taken.

I believe the sign up time is 9:00 PM on Saturday.

 

[ProudMom7]

The AIM information states that signing up for specific weeks of AIM are filled on a first come first served basis and that it opens at 9:00 am on Saturday. How quickly do they fill up? I will not be able to log on to register until mid day on Saturday due to another commitment but concerned that all the spots during the one week will I can attend will be taken.

They can get filled up fast. Can you take a 5-10 minute break from your commitment so you can log in and sign up for your preferred week?

 

[Northwoods]

You should accept virtual AIM, and be ready to buy a plane ticket or drive to campus on short notice. There's a chance (small but not 0) to get an in person slot. Even if you don't get that, attending virtual AIM is still a good thing if your kid is serious about attending uscga. They like kids who like the CG. And attending virtual AIM shows you like the CG.

 

[c/o2030hs]

That's weird, it's Friday for me and I was able to choose the session for AIM to be waitlisted in. Is this a different thing?

The AIM information states that signing up for specific weeks of AIM are filled on a first come first served basis and that it opens at 9:00 am on Saturday. How quickly do they fill up? I will not be able to log on to register until mid day on Saturday due to another commitment but concerned that all the spots during the one week will I can attend will be taken.

 

[c/o2030hs]

You should accept virtual AIM, and be ready to buy a plane ticket or drive to campus on short notice. There's a chance (small but not 0) to get an in person slot. Even if you don't get that, attending virtual AIM is still a good thing if your kid is serious about attending uscga. They like kids who like the CG. And attending virtual AIM shows you like the CG.

Reliving to hear! Is the last day to learn if you are off the waitlist on June 13? The application states "Please do not contact us requesting a status of this waitlist; we will notify you of any updates by June 13th." Don't want to misinterpreted it

 

[CGfamAK]

That's weird, it's Friday for me and I was able to choose the session for AIM to be waitlisted in. Is this a different thing?

The registration links don’t show live to us, so maybe that’s just for those on the waitlist. We have to log in to choose a week tomorrow at 9pm EST.