Ferraro13

I'm looking to apply to the Coast Guard Academy via early action. im a highschool junior from southern california, and i was wondering if i was on track.

a bit of backround information
SAT: 2250
ACT: 33
GPA: 3.6


Academically, I'm focusing on math and science, particularly AP physics C, a 3rd year physics class, and my Precal/Calculus AB class. In physics, I am an exceptionally strong student due to an excellent teacher and a love of the subject. Although I'm pretty intellectual, I dont feel that my GPA reflects that
I've been a competitive swimmer since the age of 4, was nationally ranked, part of the winning team at the '08 CIF F/S swim relays, a varsity letterman freshman year, and additionally picked up waterpolo as my primary sport during the summer before my freshman year, playing up until now and through highschool in addition to swimming.
I trained as a Marine Safety Officer (lifeguard) with the city of San Clemente during the spring of '08, where I made over 30 real life rescues in 8 hours as a tower guard. I'm certified as an emergency medical technican/basic, and in CPR. At the conclusion of training, I was transferred to Station 58, Lake Mission Viejo Lifeguard Department.
I also am technically a hispanic, which tends to help my application.

Unfortunately, I dont feel like these things reflect any "leadership" qualities, which the coast guard admissions office seems to stress. I'm a leader on the pool deck and in the water but it seems to be more of a subtle thing, which may not come across on an application.

I'm not sure how to improve my application in terms of leadership. A coast guard Captain whos a contact of mine said to get involved in something that i enjoy doing, but with 0530 practices for swimming, school until 1300 or 1445, and then swimming again until 1730, its hard to find any spare time in there to sleep and do homework, let alone to get involved in anything else. I dont have any volunteer hours, im not part of CSF or NHS or any honor/academic organizations, but im looking for ways to add to my leadership credentials or my application in general. does anyone have any advice or recommendations? anything would be welcome!

Thanks!

Luigi59

Your academics look fine (great actually!), don't worry about GPA: class rank and SAT scores are more important, especially the Math portion of the test.

Swimming is a great sport, continue it. Perhaps try to become the Captain of the team.

Do not add activities just for the sake of adding them, that's pretty transparent to the Admissions Dept. Think quality over quantity. Anything that you cannot communicate on paper you can convey in an interview with an Academy Admissions Partner, which becomes part of your file.

Try to attend AIM next summer - you have excellent credentials, and yes, being Hispanic WILL help. Good Luck,