<p>Here we go--I thought dd was going to be content to apply to USNA, CGA and AFA, but we've had the Boeing people out all morning doing testing on new ski skids for the Apache helicopter. They needed a large, snow-covered area at high altitude, so they used our cattle ranch. They had quite a number of kids that would have quite happily flown away with them!</p>
<p>The deadline for the SLS is 4/1/05.<br>
Good luck!
Go Army!</p>
<p>do you know what is her first and second choices? The main limiting factor to applying everywhere is that she will likely only get a nomination to one or maybe two. I received one to West Point and one to Annapolis, but I know that often you are told to choose your first or second choice. If your congressman or senators rank, then choosing one as second choice could put your rank at the bottom. USCGA doesn't require a nomination, but I would try to pick a focus or an order, it will make the whole application process easier.</p>
<p>A lot will depend on whether the MOC's communicate with each other and whether you have LOA's from one or both academies. My daughter chose USMA as first choice on all of her MOC apps and received nominations from her rep to both USMA and USNA. She had LOA's from both. She received a call from his office beforehand asking if she had heard from a senator and when she told him she had a senator's nomination (California) to USMA he gave her nom's for both. My thought is that if you have an LOA for an academy you didn't put down as a first choice on a nomination app you are still likely to get a nom.</p>
<p>of course shogun, not ALL of us are so fortunate to receive a LOA. In that case (me), judging the nomination becomes more difficult. Of course, there are technically some benefits to your daughter's method all around. Not only does she get the flexibility to choose from either one, but in this case the pool of nominations for Navy is down to at least 9, because your daughter used one up. This gives the rest of the applicants a greater chance to receive an appointment from that nominating source.</p>
<p>Some states will only offer a nomination from one source and only one academy because of size and competitiveness.</p>
<p>I believe that she's writing down AFA, USNA, USMA, in that order. CGA is still her first choice. It was fun to see her get jazzed up by the Boeing vist! AFA is going to be tough being from CO!</p>
<p>Coast Guard Academy is really her first choice? Wow, AFA and CG academy ares so different. and CO has no Coast! I think you will find that the AFA may actually be easier to get into than CGA. From what you say, you must live in a fairly rural area, meaning that it may be easier to secure a congressional nomination. In addition, the CGA has no nominations, it ONLY takes the very best in its applicant pool. The result is that 70% of applicants are from the West Coast, the Northeast, and to a lesser extent the southeast. Also I believe CGA requires an accredited high school diploma, so I don't know how that would work for homeschooling. I'm sure you can get one from the local school district as long as they verify some sort of credit. The academies are all very difficuly to judge whether you get in, but make sure your daughter applies for early Action (deadline Nov1) to CGA, it's non-binding and you will know if you got in by December 15. I received a full appointment not long ago. Biggest difference between the DoD academies is size and mission. The CGA has some MAJOR perks including sailing aboard the EAGLE, which is going to Europe this summer so 4/c cadets will be going to Europe, law enforcement training, and is much smaller. The size leads to more comraderie, more opportunities for college athletics and leadership within the brigade. Also, the CGA has the highest retention rate for officers with alomost 80% going longer than 5 years. CGA also is the best in terms of graduate school. A staggering 85% of graduates get a full ride to a graduate school of their choosing WHILE receiving full pay. Most of the time within 4 years of graduation. This includes EVERYONE mind you, meaning that part of the 15% who don't go on CG dime choose not to or get out of the CG early. Most importantly to me is that in the coast guard you can get a command in under two years (and XO position in 12 months). Also, by the time I graduate in 2009, there will be a totally new super modern fleet (integrated Deepwater System). Of course I am waiting to see all my options before making a decision. I am hopeing to get into Navy then making a decision from there. If you like some advice on getting into the Coast Guard Academy, I would be more than happy to give you some. One advantage of the small school is there are some MAJOR ways to boost your competitiveness (even if only one or two months before hearing) not available in the larger beuracracy of the DoD service academies.</p>
<p>Thank you for your kind offer of assistance. Dd is jazzed as she was contacted today by the CGA cross-country coach. As for the accredited diploma--no, that's not available through our school district--so we are using a private school out of Maine. We write up what she's done, they look over her work, and award credit. Plus, she has gobs of college credits... She's attracted to the smaller school size, plus the sea rescue part. She's really hoping for AIM, as it will give her a better idea. She had a good visit with her auxilliary officer over the weekend. The graduate school would be nice icing on the cake... We keep telling her that being from a sheep and cattle ranch in CO would make her a "diversity" candidate. ;-) You're still waiting to hear from USNA--is that correct?</p>
<p>I am still waiting on Navy. I am not sure which I would pick if I were to get in, but right now there is no decision to make as I will be going to Coast Guard if I don't get Navy. Right now I am leaning Navy because it is a bit closer to home and I just liked Annapolis slightly better than New London. It felt really old-timey. But to be honest I would be happy at both. I can't be sure if being for CO would really make any difference on the application. However, their ARE ways to milk that to your advantage. Being from CO, it may be difficult for you to do this, but one she finishes all of her application materials next fall, try to get a campus tour and on-campus interview. I became very close with my admissions officer AS well as the head of recruting, LT McMunn. i am convinced that really sold them on me. Typically in the interview they will talk to both the parent and child together and then the child alone. One of the major questions is how can your daughter contribute to the academy. BE CAREFUL with this one Ican also be used for the essay). Athletics is certainly a great thing, but over 75% of all cadets participate in Varsity intercollegiate sports. What they really want to hear are the little know things. Use your expierience. The Cadet Newspaper, campus tour guide, possibly starting your own club or organization. Also, be prepared to know what your interest in the CG is. They are so different in terms of mission than the others, it is easy to get lost in it. It so happened that I was interested in the new 123 foot patrol boats. Well lo and behold my admissions officer had served on the older 110's for years before coming to the academy, and he told me old sea stories for hours. He even offered to have me eat in the officer's club. He called me personally to inform me of my appointment. The academy is small in terms of overall applicant to admissions officer ratio. This year, the academy started with over 5000 applications, but over half of those were elminated by the computer for not reaching certain minimums (He didn't tell them all to me, but he said top 25% of class and over 1150 SAT academically. They also would eliminate people with no leadership roles and no athletic participation. It may be different for homeschool standards. Don't stick with your auxiliary, CONTACT THE ADMISSIONS OFFICER FOR YOUR AREA NOW OR LT MCMUNN. They will remember you if you ask intelligent questions. I happened to wear my varsity letter jacket for the admissions brief after my interview with a coat and tie, and he Recognized my name! We were on a name basis! (for him it was first, for me it was Lt McMunn Sir!) Talk about their new role in homeland security in your essay. THEY LOVE THAT. talk about the deepwater system if you want, talk about how you want to be part of the next generation. I also have some more "covert" tricks outside of the essay and interview that I would be willing to share, things that could turn the tide. If you want, I'll give you my e-mail or AIM address and we can talk. From what I have read however, your daighter stands a good chance. Just remember, 40% of your admission score is the "CEEB" score. This means that all your EC, sports, and interviews go into one 40% score. However, it isn't based on points like many other academies it is all proffessional opinion. Due to my interview, father's CG service, and my close contact with admissions officials, I was able to get this score to almost 38-39%, which virtually assures an appointment (given you are academically qualified).</p>
<p>If you were curious, here is the admission breakdown. 40% CEEB score, 30% class rank, 20% math SAT score, 10% verbal SAT score. They really stressed rank and said if you didn't have one they would estimate one for you, I don't know how this works for homeschoolers.</p>
<p>Trust me, the secret to getting into CGA is just as much contact and interest as it is grades and scores. The CGA turns down over hald of all applicant with an SAT score above 1400 due to lack of contact and EC activities, and countless valedcitorians who are deemed "not a good fit"</p>
<p>If you want to know my "covert" tricks, let me know, and good luck.</p>
<p>can u write a lil less, ur boring me to death drsnipes</p>
<p>Thank you DrSnipes for all your info--it's quite helpful. Heard yet from USNA? It's got to be soon now!</p>