Well, on to Plan B

B

Bayou Sailor

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Joined
May 5, 2023
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12
So DS received his rejection notice yesterday. Admittedly we were a bit puzzled that it was a simple rejection. No waitlist no deferral. He was on a waitlist for the final Cadet for a Day this year. A spot opened up a week before the event. Airline tickets from New Orleans to Hartford with a weeks notice are not cheap to say the least. We decided it was worth is so he and his Mom went. Through some type of glitch, they had no idea he was coming. The academy did a great job of improvising and my DS and wife had a wonderful time and solidified DS's desire to attend. Two days after they returned home, DS received a call to set up an interview. He attended the interview and the report was one of the most glowing positive papers I've ever read. And then the rejection. We just wonder why they would want to interview him if he wasn't even close enough to defer, waitlist or CGAS? So, he is going to discuss his weak points with his AO and enroll in the local university and join ROTC and give it a try again next year.
 
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It is a mystery for sure, but seems to be that they really are building a 2028 class that fits their needs. If your son was in a pile on the desk with similar stellar applicants and they had to fill state/race/sport/music/gender/major of study spots and he didn’t fill it than it really was not in his control. Surprised as well that he wasn’t bumped to RA though!
Maybe they are assured he will hang on and hit it again next year? That must be frustrating to have spent the time and money to fly out last minute. My daughter was very disappointed to get a NO letter as well but the morning after she seemed different. She said she’s realized with all the time, effort, struggles, and focus over the past 4 years preparing to apply to a SA she has forgotten and missed out on so many of the things she loves, -the hobbies and family and friendships, and travel experiences. It was a good “check” to have to think about how she will move forward. Good luck and as we tell her, just keep moving forward!
 
Bayou Sailor said:
So DS received his rejection notice yesterday. Admittedly we were a bit puzzled that it was a simple rejection. No waitlist no deferral. He was on a waitlist for the final Cadet for a Day this year. A spot opened up a week before the event. Airline tickets from New Orleans to Hartford with a weeks notice are not cheap to say the least. We decided it was worth is so he and his Mom went. Through some type of glitch, they had no idea he was coming. The academy did a great job of improvising and my DS and wife had a wonderful time and solidified DS's desire to attend. Two days after they returned home, DS received a call to set up an interview. He attended the interview and the report was one of the most glowing positive papers I've ever read. And then the rejection. We just wonder why they would want to interview him if he wasn't even close enough to defer, waitlist or CGAS? So, he is going to discuss his weak points with his AO and enroll in the local university and join ROTC and give it a try again next year.
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I’m so sorry. It sounds like your son has a great attitude and won’t give up. I have heard the applicants can schedule an interview with their AO after a denial to see what they specifically need to do to strengthen their record. I would do this, especially if he is planning to reapply.

Is he applying to any other SA’s?

Best of luck!
 
USCGA has an affinity for reapplicants, so if he really wants it, he should reapply. Also, I don't know if he's considered self-prepping, but being that you are in NOLA, consider MMI in Alabama for next year. He may even be able to get a scholarship there. Our DD's plan B was MMI and reapplying, and she was offered great scholarship money at MMI, so had she ended up needing that route, she would've self-prepped for the year for very little out of pocket.
 
I will second the recommendation for MMI and particularly with regard to USCGA. Over the last five years, 123 Marion students were appointed to the Coast Guard Academy, 89 sponsored CGAS and 34 self-preps. Full disclosure, my son is currently at Marion, although not a CGA applicant. If I had a budding CGA self-prep student, I think that's where I would steer him.
 
My daughter also received a no. She did AIM, and immediately after had a lot of self doubt. After a couple weeks she stated she was still moving forward.

She was late to finding the CGA and was not as academically strong - only taking pre-calc this year, and first year physics. But one thing we kept hearing, ‘make them tell you no’

I’m not sure what her plan B is at the moment. She has also had a completely different area of study spark some big interest over the past few months.

We have told her there is still a path, so this year’s no, is still not the end if she wants to pursue it. Lots of big decisions over the next few month.
 
My son went to AIM. Applied to the USCGA and in March of 2016, on the final round of decisions, got the NO. He went with PLAN B as I learned here, have other options.
He was accepted to a major university here in Georgia and on orientation day, went straight to the AFROTC table and signed up. Had the most awesome college experience. AF Honor Guard and very active with the DET. Marched with the college marching band his 4th year (Covid took his 5th year). He was awarded the Commanders Type 1 after his freshman year and this paid for his college and received a stipend for the following 4. Never considered to be a pilot in his life, but got the bug in ROTC-- did everything he could do to get a slot and he did.

Today--- My 1st LT will be going to his first base mid Feb. as a C-17 pilot.

ALWAYS....ALWAYS have a Plan B, C, even a D. Be driven, research, and most of all, want to serve your country.

All the best!
 
mascara_mom said:
My son went to AIM. Applied to the USCGA and in March of 2016, on the final round of decisions, got the NO. He went with PLAN B as I learned here, have other options.
He was accepted to a major university here in Georgia and on orientation day, went straight to the AFROTC table and signed up. Had the most awesome college experience. AF Honor Guard and very active with the DET. Marched with the college marching band his 4th year (Covid took his 5th year). He was awarded the Commanders Type 1 after his freshman year and this paid for his college and received a stipend for the following 4. Never considered to be a pilot in his life, but got the bug in ROTC-- did everything he could do to get a slot and he did.

Today--- My 1st LT will be going to his first base mid Feb. as a C-17 pilot.

ALWAYS....ALWAYS have a Plan B, C, even a D. Be driven, research, and most of all, want to serve your country.

All the best!
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Also a GREAT example of ‘grow where you are planted’!! And ‘when one door closes, another opens’.

I just love this.
 
Bayou Sailor said:
So DS received his rejection notice yesterday. Admittedly we were a bit puzzled that it was a simple rejection. No waitlist no deferral. He was on a waitlist for the final Cadet for a Day this year. A spot opened up a week before the event. Airline tickets from New Orleans to Hartford with a weeks notice are not cheap to say the least. We decided it was worth is so he and his Mom went. Through some type of glitch, they had no idea he was coming. The academy did a great job of improvising and my DS and wife had a wonderful time and solidified DS's desire to attend. Two days after they returned home, DS received a call to set up an interview. He attended the interview and the report was one of the most glowing positive papers I've ever read. And then the rejection. We just wonder why they would want to interview him if he wasn't even close enough to defer, waitlist or CGAS? So, he is going to discuss his weak points with his AO and enroll in the local university and join ROTC and give it a try again next year.
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PM me if he needs help reapplying and is really passionate, I went through something similar 10+ years ago and I know it can be difficult. I am willing to help re-applicants but not parents of candidates, just a heads up. Thanks...
 
CGA17 said:
PM me if he needs help reapplying and is really passionate, I went through something similar 10+ years ago and I know it can be difficult. I am willing to help re-applicants but not parents of candidates, just a heads up. Thanks...
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CGA17, could my DS contact you for advice?
 
Thank you, CGA17.
It was a "no" but hopefully can be seen as a "not this year" ... USCGA is all he wants so already working towards next application cycle.
 
Will see if we can figure out how to PM you ... then will turn it over to DS to take it from there. Thanks again.
 
Bayou Sailor said:
So DS received his rejection notice yesterday. Admittedly we were a bit puzzled that it was a simple rejection. No waitlist no deferral. He was on a waitlist for the final Cadet for a Day this year. A spot opened up a week before the event. Airline tickets from New Orleans to Hartford with a weeks notice are not cheap to say the least. We decided it was worth is so he and his Mom went. Through some type of glitch, they had no idea he was coming. The academy did a great job of improvising and my DS and wife had a wonderful time and solidified DS's desire to attend. Two days after they returned home, DS received a call to set up an interview. He attended the interview and the report was one of the most glowing positive papers I've ever read. And then the rejection. We just wonder why they would want to interview him if he wasn't even close enough to defer, waitlist or CGAS? So, he is going to discuss his weak points with his AO and enroll in the local university and join ROTC and give it a try again next year.
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What did your son decide to do? Has he considered paying himself through Marion for a year? They have an excellent track record of getting appointments through the SAP program.
 
Northwoods said:
What's the advantage of MMI vs the other prep schools?
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I don't know the numbers for any other prep schools (which perhaps says something by itself), but I would say it's Admissions' familiarity with MMI. MMI has sent nearly 25 students (avg 18 sponsored CGAS and 7 self-prep) over the last five years to the CGA. That suggests that CGA trusts MMI's preparation model, and, relatedly, they can look at an MMI self-prep applicant and quickly have a good idea whether the applicant will succeed at CGA.
 
Is anyone familiar with how USCGA views self-prep at Georgia Military Academy vs. Marion? They must have confidence if they send people there directly, but in plain English, which is a better choice?
 
Bayou Sailor said:
So DS received his rejection notice yesterday. Admittedly we were a bit puzzled that it was a simple rejection. No waitlist no deferral. He was on a waitlist for the final Cadet for a Day this year. A spot opened up a week before the event. Airline tickets from New Orleans to Hartford with a weeks notice are not cheap to say the least. We decided it was worth is so he and his Mom went. Through some type of glitch, they had no idea he was coming. The academy did a great job of improvising and my DS and wife had a wonderful time and solidified DS's desire to attend. Two days after they returned home, DS received a call to set up an interview. He attended the interview and the report was one of the most glowing positive papers I've ever read. And then the rejection. We just wonder why they would want to interview him if he wasn't even close enough to defer, waitlist or CGAS? So, he is going to discuss his weak points with his AO and enroll in the local university and join ROTC and give it a try again next year.
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Other Plan B Coast Guard commissioning choices: USMMA (may be too late in the game now). Also, I believe the Citadel offers a Coast guard commissioning program.
https://www.citadel.edu/corps/
 
Why don't they attend one of the Maritime schools - SUNY Maritime, Cal Maritime, Mass Maritime, Maine Maritime, Texas A&M Galveston instead of doing the self prep? They are as academically rigorous as CG and you still have a regimented lifestyle. The Direct Commission(MARGRAD) Maritime Academy Graduate Program is available to you. If you don't get accepted to USCGA next year or simply change your mind you are in a great position to graduate and commission.
 
Infantry_Dad said:
Other Plan B Coast Guard commissioning choices: USMMA (may be too late in the game now). Also, I believe the Citadel offers a Coast guard commissioning program.
https://www.citadel.edu/corps/
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The Citadel as a Senior Military College does offer a route to a direct CG commission. Cadets take NROTC and participate in the college CG Auxiliary unit that trains at the Charleston CG base. But - be aware, the CG is a small service and typically only 1 or 2 at most commission into the CG in each class, compared to 180 or so Army, AF and Navy/MO commissions. A better option may be to go to a regular in-state college and then reapply with an excellent college record, in my opinion.
 
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