Advice for Admission into USCGA

JonathonB

JonathonB

FireEngineerB54
Joined
May 7, 2024
Messages
11
Hello I am attempting to get into the Coast Guard Academy(My Number #1 I'll go to any)

What do I need to improve on?

Currently a Junior
110/640 (Resourced back in Winter 2024)
Unweighted GPA: 3.4
Weighted GPA: 4.3
15 AP Classes by Senior Year
All others Honors
Community Service Hours: 96 Hours

Boy Scout:
Eagle Scout(Bookdrive 2,000 Books and 3 Bookcases Built for a Women's Shelter)
Patrol Leader (18 Months)
Webmaster (6 Months)
ASPL(1 Year)
SPL (6 Months)

Sea Scouts (Just Joined in March)(Planning to Rank Up):
Sailing Experience
No Rank

Order of the Arrow:
Historian (1 Year)
Ordeal Master (1) (Planned Induction involving over 200 people)

Fire Cadets(Junior Firefighting):
9/11 and Cancer Fundraisers
Multi-Agency Training
Assistant Squad Lead (1 Year)
Post Captain (1 Year)

Architecture Construction Engineering Mentor Program:
Lead Engineer (1 Year)
Project Manager (2 Years)

2 Part-Time Jobs:
10th Grade 4 Months (Summer Job)
11th Grade 8 Months (School)

Certifications(I wanted for a while to work for FEMA)(I'll add to this list during the summer):
IS-100
IS-200
IS-320
IS-322
IS-323
IS-700

In the Future:
Varsity Cross-Country in Fall 2024
Lodge Position or Chapter Position in the OA from Spring 2024 to Spring 2025

I want to attend the USCGA due to the fact one day I want to lead the Dept of Homeland Security or FEMA. I see some of the weaknesses such as not having many activities but I spend most of my time doing this activity and with school.
 
My SATs and ACTs are around the 50% range so I’m planing on studying in the summer due to my 6 College Classes
 
I’m interested in knowing what unique things I could do to help my chances.

I understand my ACT and SATs are low but don’t know what’s more important. I’m taking the ACT in July and SAT in August. Should I keep attempting the ACT after I take the test?
 
You have a clear and deep interest in the firefighting and emergency world, and your extensive scouting experience is also excellent. Your GPA and class rank are going to be measured against whatever your school sends in to describe its level of difficulty, so all you can do there is keep banging away in your classes. The 4.3 looks good unless it's against a weird scale, so that's why it's important to take and retake the SAT and/or ACT to build a good superscore that would support your case that you're doing fine in a difficult series of courses. (They assemble the best component scores to create your superscore, so multiple test sittings give you a better chance to improve in parts. Try both tests to see if one works better for you and then focus on that one. Test scores can be improved with focused, directed study on the tests themselves. Read up on it on the internet and then hire a tutor or buy a book that explains the various methods.) Be sure to follow through on the varsity sports angle, since that's the only real gap on the resume.
 
StPaulDad said:
You have a clear and deep interest in the firefighting and emergency world, and your extensive scouting experience is also excellent. Your GPA and class rank are going to be measured against whatever your school sends in to describe its level of difficulty, so all you can do there is keep banging away in your classes. The 4.3 looks good unless it's against a weird scale, so that's why it's important to take and retake the SAT and/or ACT to build a good superscore that would support your case that you're doing fine in a difficult series of courses. (They assemble the best component scores to create your superscore, so multiple test sittings give you a better chance to improve in parts. Try both tests to see if one works better for you and then focus on that one. Test scores can be improved with focused, directed study on the tests themselves. Read up on it on the internet and then hire a tutor or buy a book that explains the various methods.) Be sure to follow through on the varsity sports angle, since that's the only real gap on the resume.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the help

I have a good ACT book so when I get out of school for the summer that’s the only thing besides studying for my 7 APs next year I have since changed from AP Pych to AP Physics
 
JonathonB said:
Hello I am attempting to get into the Coast Guard Academy(My Number #1 I'll go to any)

What do I need to improve on?

Currently a Junior
110/640 (Resourced back in Winter 2024)
Unweighted GPA: 3.4
Weighted GPA: 4.3
15 AP Classes by Senior Year
All others Honors
Community Service Hours: 96 Hours

Boy Scout:
Eagle Scout(Bookdrive 2,000 Books and 3 Bookcases Built for a Women's Shelter)
Patrol Leader (18 Months)
Webmaster (6 Months)
ASPL(1 Year)
SPL (6 Months)

Sea Scouts (Just Joined in March)(Planning to Rank Up):
Sailing Experience
No Rank

Order of the Arrow:
Historian (1 Year)
Ordeal Master (1) (Planned Induction involving over 200 people)

Fire Cadets(Junior Firefighting):
9/11 and Cancer Fundraisers
Multi-Agency Training
Assistant Squad Lead (1 Year)
Post Captain (1 Year)

Architecture Construction Engineering Mentor Program:
Lead Engineer (1 Year)
Project Manager (2 Years)

2 Part-Time Jobs:
10th Grade 4 Months (Summer Job)
11th Grade 8 Months (School)

Certifications(I wanted for a while to work for FEMA)(I'll add to this list during the summer):
IS-100
IS-200
IS-320
IS-322
IS-323
IS-700

In the Future:
Varsity Cross-Country in Fall 2024
Lodge Position or Chapter Position in the OA from Spring 2024 to Spring 2025

I want to attend the USCGA due to the fact one day I want to lead the Dept of Homeland Security or FEMA. I see some of the weaknesses such as not having many activities but I spend most of my time doing this activity and with school.
Click to expand...
Overall you sound like you're on the right track. I think what really helps is taking time to make yourself stand out. What did you do for your Eagle project that stood out in your community? How can you use that experience on an essay?

I don't see a PFE score in that list. Have you tried it out? Successful applicants tend to score 200+.

How have you lead diverse (geodiverse, people of different backgrounds, people of differing experiences), where many others have not? Have you started to write a resume for your optional upload? Why should you get to go to CGA over someone else with the same "numbers"? I think you are on the right track--what major are you interested in pursuing? Perhaps there is some cross-over with the emergency management world and the cyber world...have you engaged with an admissions officer or admissions partner? Have you begun to prep for your interview? These are some things to consider.

PM me if you want to chat.
 
Thank you

I am training for cross country and Philmont currently. I’m looking to start officially with a mock physical test after I get back from a sailing trip


How have you lead diverse (geodiverse, people of different backgrounds, people of differing experiences), where many others have not?

Led a 40 person contingent at Nat Jamboree 23 where each person had different objectives and goals. Also developed plans due to allergy’s and helped someone who had a asthma attack.


Have you started to write a resume for your optional upload?

Yes my school wants us to create a “brag sheet”(Resume for college) I just copied and pasted this from that it lists more information such as potential answers for essays or topics to cover


Why should you get to go to CGA over someone else with the same "numbers"? I think you are on the right track--what major are you interested in pursuing?

Somewhere in the middle hovering over Engineering but I like Goverment and Management


Perhaps there is some cross-over with the emergency management world and the cyber world...have you engaged with an admissions officer or admissions partner?

No i haven’t yet, although I’ll get it set up in then next few weeks once I get out of school I have attended service academy events and received contact but that’s just for WP.


Have you begun to prep for your interview?

Yes, I have watched service academy podcasts although the reason I’m into emergency management world/sector is due to my volunteering experience at a hurricane although they(podcasters) “don’t like hearing events from middle school.”
 
This all looks good. Keep working as hard as you can in school. It looks like you have an impressive resume with a lot of different experiences and activities. I will say, something that admissions looks into is who you are, not necessarily all that you have done. Of course, they want to hear about all of the different things you have done, but what should shine through in your essays is who you are and what your passions are. Are you passionate about the Coast Guard Academy? Becoming an officer in the United States Coast Guard? Ultimately that is what you are working towards, so if these things resonate with you, express them in your essays. Take an interest in the academy. Apply to AIM or try and attend other admissions events if you can. Email your admissions officer. The admissions officers are your connection to the review board. Your AO will present your application, so if you can, ask them questions and let them know you exist. You will have a leg up.
Keep working hard. You are doing a great job and I'm sure wherever you end up, you will deserve to be there.
Best of luck!
 
sg123* said:
This all looks good. Keep working as hard as you can in school. It looks like you have an impressive resume with a lot of different experiences and activities. I will say, something that admissions looks into is who you are, not necessarily all that you have done. Of course, they want to hear about all of the different things you have done, but what should shine through in your essays is who you are and what your passions are. Are you passionate about the Coast Guard Academy? Becoming an officer in the United States Coast Guard? Ultimately that is what you are working towards, so if these things resonate with you, express them in your essays. Take an interest in the academy. Apply to AIM or try and attend other admissions events if you can. Email your admissions officer. The admissions officers are your connection to the review board. Your AO will present your application, so if you can, ask them questions and let them know you exist. You will have a leg up.
Keep working hard. You are doing a great job and I'm sure wherever you end up, you will deserve to be there.
Best of luck!
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Thank you

I got declined from AIM but I will use it as motivation to get into USCGA.

Like a friend of mine said it’s strategic to be declined and use it as motivation for all the service academy’s. Although I can’t feel whats it like to go to USCGA. The common theme in my essays(5 Service Academy’s) will be the decline. I was already busy this summer with 2 sailing opportunities also I may be elected to put a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier so if I get the chance another topic to talk about.
 
JonathonB said:
Thank you

I got declined from AIM but I will use it as motivation to get into USCGA.

Like a friend of mine said it’s strategic to be declined and use it as motivation for all the service academy’s. Although I can’t feel whats it like to go to USCGA. The common theme in my essays(5 Service Academy’s) will be the decline. I was already busy this summer with 2 sailing opportunities also I may be elected to put a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier so if I get the chance another topic to talk about.
Click to expand...
Nice. Word to the wise—I saw a lot of “Annapolis is my top choice” or “USAFA is the place for me because” on the CCEB this year. Double check the essays for this if you’re reusing some. Sort of a “womp womp” when the wrong schools end up on the wrong school essay 🥱
 
CGA17 said:
Nice. Word to the wise—I saw a lot of “Annapolis is my top choice” or “USAFA is the place for me because” on the CCEB this year. Double check the essays for this if you’re reusing some. Sort of a “womp womp” when the wrong schools end up on the wrong school essay 🥱
Click to expand...
Thank you

Most likely I’ll write about the values of the academy or of the branch and use personal story’s about how I demonstrated those values with multiple story’s.
 
JonathonB said:
Thank you

Most likely I’ll write about the values of the academy or of the branch and use personal story’s about how I demonstrated those values with multiple story’s.
Click to expand...
I’m just considering it since it seems to be direct and what most people write about:
 
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