Alternates March 1st is coming up! Appointment Status?

tman135 · 02-27-2008, 12:03 AM

March 1st is around the corner, and the CGA is going to start looking at alternate files again. Correct me if I am wrong I believe there are still about 200 slots left. (keeping my fingers crossed) If anybody is an alternate and is on the same rollercoaster that I am on, feel free to post. In addition if you are an alternate feel free to post when you get an appointment offer or if you hear of any updates for CGA! I wish everybody the best of luck in these upcoming months. It is my understanding that appointment offers can go all the way to Mid-May or so. So don't lose hope, but dont neglect to look at other colleges either. Good Luck, may the admission board be on your side!

hpflrent · 02-27-2008, 11:45 AM

I have a cadet who was in the same boat (no pun intended) a couple of years ago. It was April before he was offered an appointment, and trust me it was a strained spring around the house here. He did reluctantly have a couple other colleges he had applied to and was accepted at, but had his heart set on the academy. Plan B is definitely something every alternate should have in place. If I could suggest to those waiting, keep in touch with your admissions person and keep them updated as to your grades, accomplishments/awards, and of course your desire to be at the CGA this summer. If I remember correctly, the beginning of March was kind of slow for kids hearing anything so try to stay positive and realize that late March, early April, even late April is more the normal scenario. Best of luck to you!

tman135 · 02-29-2008, 09:21 PM

Out of curiosity what is the percentage of applicants that go through prep school? My admin officer was telling me I am "highly" ranked in my chances of getting into prep school. And I was curious if anybody knew the statistics of those who go through prep school before going to the Academy. Also a little bird told me that Prep School descisions will really start being made April 8- 15...So keep your fingers crossed. Good Luck~!

zachogden · 02-29-2008, 11:57 PM

I don't have any answers to the above questions, but I'd like to keep in mind that the prep school is a great route if it is offered to you and you really want to be in the Coast Guard and go to USCGA. One ex-preppie (NAPS I believe) told me that if anything it helped him be even more prepared for Academy life. If being in the Coast Guard is your dream and you're offered a prep school slot, take it!

Luigi59 · 03-01-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

March 1st is around the corner, and the CGA is going to start looking at alternate files again.

I don't think there's anything special about March 1st, the USCGA web site states that they use rolling admissions that begins in December and ends in June, and they continue to review files during that entire time.

The key date listed is April 15th, by when they expect to notify all applicants of their selection or rejection (although a few more appointments will still be made up until June, due to other candidates declining their offer).

Good Luck tman135! Hopefully you will hear something soon.

tman135 · 03-03-2008, 09:03 AM

Thank you guys for you support...Yes hopefully we will all hear soon..... Coast Guard is my dream school and if I get offered prep school I will take it in a heart-beat!! Either route is a incredible opportunity and experience. I am just taking things one day at a time. My 18th birthday is on April 3rd...so I am hoping to have a letter in my hand from the Coast Guard for my b-day!

In regards to the March 1st deadline...I was informed that it was an important date. My addmissions officer told me that my file and other alternates would not be reviewed until after March 1st so it was my understanding that alternates are just starting to be reviewed again.

Hardball0101 · 03-08-2008, 11:19 PM

Definitely take a prep school slot. It adds another year to your college career but it will help you in the long run. You will be light years ahead of the swabs coming in for swab summer. It will only make your life easier for the academy. Its tough. I went to college last year and took a prep slot this year. its gonna be six years of full time college to get my bachelors but like its been said before, if its what you want, don't be afraid to work and I promise it will pay off in the end. See some of you at swab summer next year.
JD