<p>I am currently a junior at a college preparatory school in New Jersey and the Coast Guard Academy is my first choice. Due to a lack of effort freshman year I will probably end my junior year with about a 3.2 cumulative GPA. I've played football for three years and will be going into my fourth. I've been contacted by other division 3 schools and have already started the recruiting process at the Coast Guard Academy. I am involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, Invisible Children, the Gaelic Society, and the Italian Club in school. My mother is on the board of trustees for United Way and I been involved with them a lot. I am confident in my physical ability. I am also set to volunteer with the Coast Guard Auxiliary once I turn 17 in August and I will most likely work at my local Marina over the summer. The thing that worries me is my GPA. I am taking the SAT in May but I got 172 on my pSATs and I am aiming for somewhere in the 1800s. My plan is to major in management. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Forget your chances, apply and do your absolute best at school from now on forward. The football should help a lot, because the Coast Guard has the highest physical fitness standards of any service academy.</p>
<p>Also consider applying to the US Merchant Marine Academy, which is a totally legitimate way to become a Coast Guard officer. It is much easier to get appointed to than any of the other academies.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>