Tell me about the Coast Guard Academy
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Anonymous
| What is the college experience like? Is it considered a poor cousin to the Naval Academy? Diverse? Hard to get into? |
Anonymous
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Miserably difficult to get in. Highly military (do NOT assume that it's civilian life in a uniform). The Coast Guard is much harder than the other services to advance internally in rank, so CGA does not guarantee stars on your shoulder. This is one tough place.
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Anonymous
| about 7% admissions rate. Try their website -- explains much about the academy. |
Anonymous
| Do you have a daughter or a son? DD's friend just graduated from the Coast Guard Academy. My D visited a few times. She was surprised that her friend was a cheerleader. However, "fun" is not a word that is - I think - ever used. |
Anonymous
| The admissions process does not involve Congressional nominations - admissions are based on academics and other factors (like any other school) - so it may appear easier to get into than the other service academies. But it's indeed tough to get in. |
Anonymous
huh? Everything I've read, including their acceptance, rate indicates it's harder, not easier to get into. |
Anonymous
It is precisely that. No Congressional nom process means harder -- no political preferences or district-based limits apply. Getting into the USCGA is very difficult, and graduating with an active commission is just as difficult. |
Anonymous
| This area tends to be among the most difficult in terms of getting Congressional nominations, because the military has such a huge presence and there are many military families whose kids have long been aware of, and interested in, the military academies. Northern VA is particularly competitive. It's also an area where the schools are excellent, and high-performing students may be at an advantage when it's "just" grades and tests, not grades and tests AND trying to get one of the 10 nominations (max) available in a Congressional district. It's one less hoop to jump through. But still - very competitive admissions. |
Anonymous
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Coast Guard is not like the other service academies. Coast Guard does NOT take a Congressional nomination.
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Anonymous
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I have no dog in this fight as my kids are too young, but I took a look anyway.
According to the website, average composite ACT is 27 and here's a quote about SAT scores: "In recent years, the average SAT I math score has been about 650 and critical reading score has been about 620. Cadets in the 25th to 75th percentile of their class usually score between 1230 and 1350." Taken from http://www.cga.edu/admissions2.aspx?id=318 |
Anonymous
| If you heard your neighbors kid was going to the Coast Guard Academy, would you be impressed? |
Anonymous
That's what it's all about, right - impressing the neighbors? 
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Anonymous
Yes, I would. (Not that you should care.) |
Anonymous
| What is the social life like? |
Anonymous
| My high-scoring DS gets a lot of mail from them. It's funny because he can barely swim. |