<p>A friend's son is interested in a career with the U.S. Coast Guard. He was told that the officers' training programs (like the Navy's Officers' Candidate School) is very hard to get into, especially if one is a white male.</p>
<p>He was told that if he wanted a career with the Coast Guard he would need to go to the academy in New London.</p>
<p>From what I understand, the USCGA doesn't select its students by means of Congressional appointment.</p>
<p>Any comments?</p>
<p>His father, my friend, is wondering what his son would do with a degree from the Academy after leaving the Coast Guard.</p>
<p>OCS is open to all US citizens who possess a 4-year college degree (or are in their senior year of college) and a desire to serve as an officer in the US Coast Guard.</p>
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<p>While not the only route to a career in the USCG, it certainly is one of the toughest.</p>
<p>If he is between the ages of 17-23, has SAT scores (M/V) around 650/650, a HS class rank of top 25%, demonstrated leadership (sports team captain, Eagle scout, SGA president, etc), other extra-curricular activities, an honorable character, and can pass the physical fitness and medical requirements, he is competitive for one of the ~285 appointments that are awarded each year. After completing 4 rigorous years of college academics in one of 8 major areas of study, coupled with physical fitness requirements and military training obligations, he will graduate with a BS degree and a commission as an Ensign in the United States Coast Guard. He will be required to serve a minimum of 5 years in the USCG.</p>
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<p>As of today, admission to the US Coast Guard Academy is a nationwide merit-based competition, allowing the USCGA admissions office to select the top candidates without regard to mandatory geographic selection requirements. There is a bill before Congress that (if passed) will change that, forcing the USCGA to move to a system of Congressional nominations within 3 years.</p>
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<p>Name it. Graduates of the United States Coast Guard Academy (and every US Military Academy) are highly regarded as leaders of character in every field they pursue after leaving the USCG.</p>
<p>does anyone know roughly when the AIM applications will open for this summer? The CGA website says January and gives no real solid time. It is now January 1st and still nothing. On what day did they open last year?</p>
<p>For the Class of 2015 applicants: The Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) application for Juniors in High School will be available online at [United</a> States Coast Guard Academy](<a href=“http://www.uscga.edu%5DUnited”>http://www.uscga.edu) mid February, closing on 1 April 2010.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information, but I am wondering, have the applications for AIM always opened in mid February? Because like I said, the website says they will open in January. I don’t mean to hassle anyone I am just anxious. Thanks!</p>
<p>Learn it now…Semper Gumby. It will make your life a whole lot easier ;-)</p>
<p>Sorry…can’t answer your question, but I can tell you that when my son was applying for admission, the application was supposed to be up in August (per the website) and it didn’t become live until Sept. </p>
<p>It’s quite possible that with the higher-than-ever number of applications, the admissions people put off the AIM application in order to give themselves more time to concentrate on the Class of 2014. What’s the big rush? Get used to hurry up and wait if you plan a military career. :D</p>
<p>I’m a junior in high school with a respectful 4.14 GPA, a composite score of 25 on the ACT, participate in 2 varsity sports, in academic clubs, and a volunteer with the coast guard auxiliary. I was wondering if this would be enough to be accepted at the USCGA.</p>
<p>Yes, there are two prep schools that the CGA Scholars (CGAS) program uses, NMMI and MMI. NMMI is the New Mexico Military Institute and MMI is the Marion Military Institute in Alabama. Prep schools are usually for those who have high GPAs/grades but low SAT/ACT scores and vice-versa. But definitely apply to AIM, it is a great program and will really show you if the Academy is right for you.</p>
<p>Yes, lots. Anything that can demonstrate leadership is important.</p>
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<p>Yes, the USCGA uses 2 different “prep” schools as part of the CGA Scholars program, NMMI (New Mexico Military Institute) and MMI (Marion Military Institute).</p>
<p>The Coast Guard pays for the tuition, students pay their own room & board using allowances and benefits, which are adequate to cover all of the costs.</p>
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<p>No, attending the prep school is not enough, you must successfully complete it to guarantee a place in the next reporting class. About 85% of prepsters gain appointments the following year.</p>
<p>So does this mean that if i maintained high grades in prep school and stayed out of trouble, that i would have a high chance of getting into the academy?</p>
<p>If i do get accepted after a year of prep school, do i start out as a freshman in the academy?</p>
<p>Sorry if i’m sounding redundant, just trying to clarify.</p>
<p>You don’t need high grades, just passing grades. If you successfully complete the 10-month prep school, you will be offered an appointment to the next incoming class.</p>
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<p>Everyone starts out as a swab, no matter how many years of prep or college of fleet experience you have.</p>
<p>About 60 CGA Scholars were chosen last year, and about the same will be offered this year.</p>
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<p>The typical prep school candidate has lots of demonstrated leadership and/or leadership potential, strong ECs, excellent physical fitness, but needs some help in the academic department, just a little extra schooling to ensure they are able to handle the rigorous academic load that will come in their 4/c year. </p>
<p>CGA Scholars are chosen from the regular applicant pool - you do not apply separately for the program. The admissions department chooses which academy candidates will get full appointments, which candidates will get CGA Scholarships (thus deferring their appointment for a year), and which candidates will get neither.</p>
<p>Remember, if you do not get an appointment, nor chosen for the CGAS program, you are free to enroll in college, take “swab-level” classes (and excel in them!) and re-apply the following year, thus enrolling yourself in a “self-prep” program. </p>
<p>Is it, however, possible to attend the academy, even if you do not get a CGA scholarship, by paying for the prep school yourself for 10 months and then reapply the following year? Are your chances as good as if they gave you the scholarship?</p>