Preparing for U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Acceptance

Start Young!

Preparing for U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Acceptance

Start Young!

Early Preparation Guidelines

Begin Preparation in Middle School Establish a Solid Foundation in:

– Math– Science– English– Introduction to Modern Foreign Language– Competitive Team Sports– Individual Sports that Require Sustained Effort– Community Service– Naval Sea Cadets and Other Youth Programs

Early Development of Leadership Skills

High School Preparation Guide

Begin with Freshman Year

Curriculum Guidelines Continued

Beginning with Freshman Year Enrollment – Schedule Meeting with High School Counselor

Map out Curriculum for Next Four Years

Counselor Should Emphasize:– Honors and AP Courses; dual-enrollment (college) – International Baccalaureate Diploma Program– Competitive Team & Individual Sports Participation– Leadership Roles in School Related Activities– Participation in School Sponsored Community Service

Activities

DPC-841269-23.PPT09/24/07

Four Years of English:Strong Emphasis On:

Composition Grammar Literature Speech

Four Years of Math:Algebra (I)Plane Geometry Intermediate Algebra (II)Trigonometry/Pre-CalculusNOTE: Calculus is Highly Recommended

Curriculum Guidelines Continued

Four Years of Science with Two Years of a Lab Science: Earth or General Science Chemistry Biology Physics

Modern Foreign Language Study (Optional):– Fluency in Spanish is a benefit to Coast Guard missions– Fluency in any language is beneficial as a competency– If Offered – Take One to Two Years of Latin for these reasons:

Foundation of Modern Western Languages Language of Science Provides Strong Foundation in Grammar

Curriculum Guidelines Continued

One Year of U.S. History

One Year of World History

Round Out Degree Plan with Course Work In:– Geography– Government– Economics – Basic Computing– Keyboarding

Curriculum Guidelines Continued

Pre-SAT Exam Take Pre-SAT When Offered by High School

–Depending on School May Occur in Sophomore and/or Junior Year

–Pre-SAT Preparation Classes Recommended

Use Pre-SAT Results to Prepare for SAT–Review Results with School Counselor–Identify Areas of Concern–Develop Corrective Action Plan

SAT Exam

Sign –up Early for SAT

SAT Preparation Classes Recommended

Target SAT Math and Verbal Scores:– 660 or Higher

SAT may be taken more than one time without penalty.

– Academy will accept the highest score from each dimension on like tests (super-scoring).

Sports Participation Guide

4 Year Participation in Vigorous Competitive Team Sports– Strive for Team Leadership Slots

Captain Co-Captain

4 Year Participation in Individual Sports that Require Sustained Physical Effort, for example:– Track and Field– Tennis– Martial Arts– Boxing

Physical Preparation Guide

Perform Distance Running Regularly– 1.5 miles is the tested distance

Perform Strenuous Conditioning Exercises

– Push-ups (tested)– Sit-ups (tested)– Pull-ups (not tested)

See USCGA Health and Physical Education Fitness USCGA Health and Physical Education Fitness Preparation Guidelines at www.uscga.edu Preparation Guidelines at www.uscga.edu (Hyperlink: (Hyperlink: >Admissions>Academy Admissions>Physical Fitness >Admissions>Academy Admissions>Physical Fitness Exam>Physical Fitness Guide)Exam>Physical Fitness Guide)

Physical Preparation GuideContinued

Best Way to Prepare:– Start off Slowly– Build on Your Physical Accomplishments

Start with 1.5 Mile Run– Alternating Between:

Running Walking

– Gradually Increase the Amount of Running

Physical Preparation GuideContinued

Target the Following Counts for the Physical Fitness Exam (PFE):

– Push-ups (Cadence-Style, down 1 second, up 1 second, repeat for 120 seconds; two minutes)

60 – Male

48 – Female

– Sit-ups (two minutes) 100 – Male & Female

– 1.5 Mile Run 8:04 – Male

9:59 – Female

Physical Performance RequirementsPhysical Performance Requirements

Physical PerformancePhysical Performance– Sea Cadets should prepare to pass the Physical Sea Cadets should prepare to pass the Physical

Fitness Exam (PFE) with a minimum score of 130 to Fitness Exam (PFE) with a minimum score of 130 to gain acceptance into the Coast Guard Academy.gain acceptance into the Coast Guard Academy.

See USCGA See USCGA Cadet Candidate Physical Fitness Cadet Candidate Physical Fitness Examination Instruction Manual and Scoring Table at Examination Instruction Manual and Scoring Table at www.uscga.edu www.uscga.edu (Hyperlink: >Admissions>Academy (Hyperlink: >Admissions>Academy Admissions>Physical Fitness Exam>PFE Instruction Manual)Admissions>Physical Fitness Exam>PFE Instruction Manual)

Leadership Skills Development Guidelines

Participate in Activities that Develop Valuable Leadership Experiences and Responsibilities– Recommended Activities:

Pursue Leadership Positions in:– School Class– School Club– Student Government

Competitive Team Athletics:– Captain and Co-Captain Roles Highly Desirable

Leadership Skills Development Guidelines

Continued Participate in Activities that Develop Valuable

Leadership Experiences and Responsibilities– Recommended Activities:

Awards in Academic Societies:– I.e. National Honor Society

Participation and Success in:– Public Speaking– Debate– Other non-athletic activities

Participate in Activities that Develop Valuable Leadership Experiences and Responsibilities– Recommended Activities:

Maximize Participation and Achievement in:– Naval Sea Cadet Corps– Other Youth Related Groups (Boy/Girl Scouts)

Membership in:– Community Organizations– Church Organizations

Leadership Skills Development Guidelines

Continued

Participate in Activities that Develop Valuable Leadership Experiences and Responsibilities– Emphasis Note – Leadership Development:

It is more valuable for you to achieve distinction in a specific activity, rather than participate in a number of activities without any evidence of leadership achievement.

Leadership Skills Development Guidelines

Continued

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CGA Admissions is Unique!CGA Admissions is Unique! We are the only Federal Service Academy We are the only Federal Service Academy

that does not require a Congressional that does not require a Congressional Nomination. Nomination.

This means the selection process is solely merit-This means the selection process is solely merit-

basedbased. .

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EligibilityEligibility A U.S. citizen of sound moral characterA U.S. citizen of sound moral character Unmarried with no dependents or financial debtUnmarried with no dependents or financial debt 17-22 years of age on 01 July of the year of 17-22 years of age on 01 July of the year of

entry entry A high school graduate or GED recipient (or will A high school graduate or GED recipient (or will

be prior to entry) be prior to entry) Academically QualifiedAcademically Qualified Medically QualifiedMedically Qualified

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The ApplicationThe Application Personal InformationPersonal Information High School TranscriptHigh School Transcript Four (+ One optional) EssaysFour (+ One optional) Essays Math Teacher RecommendationMath Teacher Recommendation English Teacher RecommendationEnglish Teacher Recommendation Coach or PE Teacher RecommendationCoach or PE Teacher Recommendation Results of Physical Fitness ExamResults of Physical Fitness Exam Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT)Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT)

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CCEB ReviewsCCEB Reviews High School transcriptHigh School transcript EvaluationsEvaluations EssaysEssays History of Activities History of Activities

– Athletics, Clubs, Community Service, Religious Athletics, Clubs, Community Service, Religious ProgramsPrograms

AwardsAwards Evidence of teamwork experiencesEvidence of teamwork experiences Leadership potentialLeadership potential

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Cost of Coast Guard AcademyCost of Coast Guard Academy Tuition, room, and board are paid for by the Tuition, room, and board are paid for by the

government. All candidates who accept an government. All candidates who accept an appointment to the Coast Guard Academy appointment to the Coast Guard Academy will receive uniforms, a laptop computer, will receive uniforms, a laptop computer, school supplies, and all other necessary school supplies, and all other necessary items. There are no fees for Academy items. There are no fees for Academy cadets. cadets.

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PayPay All cadets receive pay totaling $11,692.80 per All cadets receive pay totaling $11,692.80 per

year.  Cadets' pay is furnished by the year.  Cadets' pay is furnished by the government for uniforms, equipment, government for uniforms, equipment, textbooks, and other expenses incidental to textbooks, and other expenses incidental to training. These funds cover all the cadets' training. These funds cover all the cadets' expenses and are used only as directed by the expenses and are used only as directed by the Superintendent. Each cadet receives a portion Superintendent. Each cadet receives a portion of his or her monthly pay for personal of his or her monthly pay for personal expenses. Any funds remaining in cadets' expenses. Any funds remaining in cadets' accounts are given to them upon graduation.accounts are given to them upon graduation.

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ObligationObligation Upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy, Upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy,

there is a five-year commitment to serve as a there is a five-year commitment to serve as a commissioned Coast Guard officer. Most cadets commissioned Coast Guard officer. Most cadets go to sea after graduation as a Deck Watch Officer go to sea after graduation as a Deck Watch Officer or an Engineer Officer in Training, although some or an Engineer Officer in Training, although some go directly to Flight School or land-based Sector go directly to Flight School or land-based Sector Operations. Operations.

The first assignment lasts approximately 2 years The first assignment lasts approximately 2 years and the only required destinations are domestic and the only required destinations are domestic ports in the U.S. and her territories (Guam, Puerto ports in the U.S. and her territories (Guam, Puerto Rico). Rico).

Visiting the Coast Guard Visiting the Coast Guard AcademyAcademy

What opporutnities exist?What opporutnities exist?

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Admissions Briefing and Tour Admissions Briefing and Tour (Year-Round)(Year-Round)

Offered at 1 pm on most Mondays and Fridays, this Offered at 1 pm on most Mondays and Fridays, this two-hour program is a great introduction to the Coast two-hour program is a great introduction to the Coast Guard Academy. Your visit will start with check-in and Guard Academy. Your visit will start with check-in and an Admissions Officer “briefing” featuring a slide an Admissions Officer “briefing” featuring a slide show and Q&A and will conclude with a cadet-led show and Q&A and will conclude with a cadet-led campus tour. Guests will learn the unique advantages, campus tour. Guests will learn the unique advantages, opportunities and challenges of a service academy opportunities and challenges of a service academy education. Many guests also coordinate their Briefing education. Many guests also coordinate their Briefing and Tour with other campus events. and Tour with other campus events.

Interested in music, athletics or a particular program? Interested in music, athletics or a particular program? Prospective cadets are encouraged to schedule Prospective cadets are encouraged to schedule meetings with coaches, music coordinators, or meetings with coaches, music coordinators, or academic program chairs prior to the briefing. academic program chairs prior to the briefing.

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Academy Introduction Mission (AIM)Academy Introduction Mission (AIM)

It is important that you make an informed decision about It is important that you make an informed decision about applying to and attending the Coast Guard Academy. Our applying to and attending the Coast Guard Academy. Our Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) is a one-week summer Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) is a one-week summer program that gives you the chance to see if the Academy is program that gives you the chance to see if the Academy is right for you, and if you have what it takes to succeed. If right for you, and if you have what it takes to succeed. If you are selected, you will experience the rigor, discipline, you are selected, you will experience the rigor, discipline, and rewards of the Coast Guard Academy personally, just and rewards of the Coast Guard Academy personally, just like a cadet, for one week in July following your junior year like a cadet, for one week in July following your junior year in high school. You meet faculty and staff, learn about our in high school. You meet faculty and staff, learn about our academic, military, and athletic programs, talk with cadets academic, military, and athletic programs, talk with cadets who have sailed the Eagle, flown aircraft, and started their who have sailed the Eagle, flown aircraft, and started their leadership journey, and meet with Coast Guard leadership journey, and meet with Coast Guard professionals who are protecting our nation right now. professionals who are protecting our nation right now. Success at AIM is a good indicator of success at the Coast Success at AIM is a good indicator of success at the Coast Guard Academy. Typically, 50% of AIM grads earn Guard Academy. Typically, 50% of AIM grads earn appointments to the Academy. appointments to the Academy.

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Science, Technology and Engineering Program Science, Technology and Engineering Program (STEP) (STEP)

The Science, Technology, and Engineering Program, or The Science, Technology, and Engineering Program, or STEP, is a unique six-hour Friday program that STEP, is a unique six-hour Friday program that combines real-world academics with an Academy combines real-world academics with an Academy orientation. Guests will meet cadets, faculty members, orientation. Guests will meet cadets, faculty members, Admissions staff, and like-minded young men and Admissions staff, and like-minded young men and women. The day will consist of hands-on workshops, a women. The day will consist of hands-on workshops, a campus tour, lunch, and a Q&A session. Parents are campus tour, lunch, and a Q&A session. Parents are encouraged to attend and participate. Participants encouraged to attend and participate. Participants depart better prepared to choose a college major, with depart better prepared to choose a college major, with insight about the unique opportunities available to insight about the unique opportunities available to Academy graduates. Academy graduates.

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Open HouseOpen House

Join other high school students and their Join other high school students and their families for a day of exploration and families for a day of exploration and fellowship. A six-hour Friday program, these fellowship. A six-hour Friday program, these events are offered periodically and include events are offered periodically and include information about cadet life, academic, information about cadet life, academic, military, and athletic programs. Cadet-led military, and athletic programs. Cadet-led campus tours provide insight into the Coast campus tours provide insight into the Coast Guard Academy experience first-hand. Guests Guard Academy experience first-hand. Guests depart with a thorough understanding of the depart with a thorough understanding of the admissions process and are well prepared to admissions process and are well prepared to decide whether or not to apply.decide whether or not to apply.

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Fall Season Cadet-for-a-DayFall Season Cadet-for-a-Day

Is an Academy education right for you? Join other high school Is an Academy education right for you? Join other high school seniors as you shadow a cadet for 24 hours and explore this seniors as you shadow a cadet for 24 hours and explore this question. Attend classes and a team practice, eat in the cadet question. Attend classes and a team practice, eat in the cadet wardroom, and learn what cadet life is like first-hand. While you’re wardroom, and learn what cadet life is like first-hand. While you’re visiting, your cadet host can conduct your interview as a part of visiting, your cadet host can conduct your interview as a part of your application package. Opportunities to meet with coaches, your application package. Opportunities to meet with coaches, faculty members, and admissions staff are available and must be faculty members, and admissions staff are available and must be coordinated by the student in advance. Parents are welcome to coordinated by the student in advance. Parents are welcome to attend a Q&A session with an Admissions Officer on drop-off day. attend a Q&A session with an Admissions Officer on drop-off day. Cadet for a Day runs from 10:30 a.m. Thursday until 11:00 a.m. Cadet for a Day runs from 10:30 a.m. Thursday until 11:00 a.m. Friday morning on select dates throughout the fall semester. This Friday morning on select dates throughout the fall semester. This program is only available for students that did NOT participate in program is only available for students that did NOT participate in the Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) Program. the Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) Program.