Preparing for U.S. Coast Guard Academy Acceptance Start Young!

1. Preparing for U.S. Coast Guard AcademyAcceptance Start Young!

2. 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

3. High School Preparation Guide Begin with Freshman Year

4. 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

5. Curriculum Guidelines Continued • Four Years of English: • Strong Emphasis On: • Composition • Grammar • Literature • Speech • Four Years of Math: • Algebra (I) • Plane Geometry • Intermediate Algebra (II) • Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus • NOTE: Calculus is Highly Recommended DPC-841269-23.PPT09/24/07

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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).

10. 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

11. 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 Preparation Guidelines at www.uscga.edu(Hyperlink: >Admissions>Academy Admissions>Physical Fitness Exam>Physical Fitness Guide)

12. 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

13. 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

14. Physical Performance Requirements • Physical Performance • Sea Cadets should prepare to pass the Physical Fitness Exam (PFE) with a minimum score of 130 to gain acceptance into the Coast Guard Academy. • See USCGA Cadet Candidate Physical Fitness Examination Instruction Manual and Scoring Table at www.uscga.edu(Hyperlink: >Admissions>Academy Admissions>Physical Fitness Exam>PFE Instruction Manual)

15. 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

16. Leadership Skills Development GuidelinesContinued • 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

17. Leadership Skills Development GuidelinesContinued • 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

18. Leadership Skills Development GuidelinesContinued • 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.

19. CGA Admissions is Unique! • We are the only Federal Service Academy that does not require a Congressional Nomination. This means the selection process is solely merit-based. www.usgca.edu

20. Eligibility • A U.S. citizen of sound moral character • Unmarried with no dependents or financial debt • 17-22 years of age on 01 July of the year of entry • A high school graduate or GED recipient (or will be prior to entry) • Academically Qualified • Medically Qualified www.usgca.edu

21. The Application • Personal Information • High School Transcript • Four (+ One optional) Essays • Math Teacher Recommendation • English Teacher Recommendation • Coach or PE Teacher Recommendation • Results of Physical Fitness Exam • Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT) www.usgca.edu

22. CCEB Reviews • High School transcript • Evaluations • Essays • History of Activities • Athletics, Clubs, Community Service, Religious Programs • Awards • Evidence of teamwork experiences • Leadership potential www.usgca.edu

23. Cost of Coast Guard Academy • Tuition, room, and board are paid for by the government. All candidates who accept an appointment to the Coast Guard Academy will receive uniforms, a laptop computer, school supplies, and all other necessary items. There are no fees for Academy cadets. www.usgca.edu

24. Pay • All cadets receive pay totaling $11,692.80 per year.  Cadets' pay is furnished by the government for uniforms, equipment, textbooks, and other expenses incidental to training. These funds cover all the cadets' expenses and are used only as directed by the Superintendent. Each cadet receives a portion of his or her monthly pay for personal expenses. Any funds remaining in cadets' accounts are given to them upon graduation. www.usgca.edu

25. Obligation • Upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy, there is a five-year commitment to serve as a commissioned Coast Guard officer. Most cadets go to sea after graduation as a Deck Watch Officer or an Engineer Officer in Training, although some go directly to Flight School or land-based Sector Operations. • The first assignment lasts approximately 2 years and the only required destinations are domestic ports in the U.S. and her territories (Guam, Puerto Rico). www.usgca.edu

26. Visiting the Coast Guard Academy What opporutnities exist?

27. Admissions Briefing and Tour (Year-Round) • Offered at 1 pm on most Mondays and Fridays, this two-hour program is a great introduction to the Coast Guard Academy. Your visit will start with check-in and an Admissions Officer “briefing” featuring a slide show and Q&A and will conclude with a cadet-led campus tour. Guests will learn the unique advantages, opportunities and challenges of a service academy education. Many guests also coordinate their Briefing and Tour with other campus events. Interested in music, athletics or a particular program? Prospective cadets are encouraged to schedule meetings with coaches, music coordinators, or academic program chairs prior to the briefing. www.usgca.edu

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

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

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

31. Fall Season Cadet-for-a-Day • Is an Academy education right for you? Join other high school seniors as you shadow a cadet for 24 hours and explore this question. Attend classes and a team practice, eat in the cadet 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 your application package. Opportunities to meet with coaches, faculty members, and admissions staff are available and must be coordinated by the student in advance. Parents are welcome to 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. Friday morning on select dates throughout the fall semester. This program is only available for students that did NOT participate in the Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) Program. www.usgca.edu