Home / AIM / AIM BLOGS / Abby Converse - PRE-AIM INTERVIEW

Abby Converse: Pre-AIM Interview

Abby Converse | July 13, 2024

What made you apply to AIM?

The Coast Guard Academy interests me because it offers an opportunity to serve something bigger than myself, aligning with my passion for science and engineering. I applied to AIM to get a firsthand experience of Academy life and to determine if the Coast Guard is the right fit for me, and if I am a good fit for the USCG.

What is the #1 thing you’ve done to prepare for AIM so far?

The main thing I’ve done to prepare for AIM is working on my fitness. I’ve been following a workout routine including push-ups, sit-ups, and running to help me be more ready for the physical challenges of the program.

What are you most looking forward to?

I have so many things I am excited about. Primarily, I am looking forward to pushing my body and mind to their limits. The challenges presented during AIM will be a great test of my resilience and determination. I am also excited to be around like-minded people who share my interests in sciences and engineering. It’s not always easy to find such a community in regular life, so I look forward to the camaraderie and shared passion. Lastly, I am really excited about the opportunity to sail on the second day; it’s a unique experience that I can’t wait to try.

Any hesitations about your AIM week?

While I am an athlete for most of the year, I am a little nervous about showing up as my best self. But my dad always says that success or failure is all in your head, and I’ve managed to overcome mentally challenging situations before. I’m also a bit anxious about building a team so quickly because normally I am on a team for an entire season, but I know it’s an important skill to learn.

What do your peers think about your service academy aspirations?

I had to explain it to my friends because they weren’t very familiar with the USCG, but once I did, they were all happy for me. They said it was great for me to have a place to push my physical limits and pursue the fields I’m interested in.

About Abby

Hometown: Roswell, GA
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering

Sponsor Family Application

Thank you for submitting your application to be part of the Sponsor Family Program. Your application will be processed in the upcoming week. Coast Guard Academy’s policy on background screening now requires all adults (everyone 18 and older living in the home) who volunteer to mentor, teach, coach or sponsor cadets, whether on or off Coast Guard Academy grounds, to be screened every 5 years. They are required to provide personal information (name, birth date and social security number) for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check.

The Security Officer at the Coast Guard Academy, CWO2 Gina Polkowski, is overseeing this process. Her email is: Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.

Sponsor Family designations fall into several different categories. Below are the guidelines to help you determine how best to meet the background screening requirement:

If you are Coast Guard active duty you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
If you are a Civilian working for the Coast Guard you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
If you are non-Coast Guard Active Duty, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
If you are non-Coast Guard civilian who has a current security clearance or National Agency check, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
All civilians in the families who are 18 years or older and do not have a security clearance or a National Agency Check are required to be vetted through Mind Your Business, the third party vendor hired by the Coast Guard Academy for the vetting process.

After you complete your application, please e-mail the Sponsor Family Program Coordinator at CadetFamilySponsorProgram@uscga.edu. In your e-mail, you must include the e-mail address and phone number of every adult living in the home. The Sponsor Family Coordinator will then initiate the background check process and you will receive an email with further instructions.

Important things to note:

There is a Sponsor Family Training that is a one-hour training which we ask sponsors to attend once every four years. This training is designed to give you an overview of the program, what is expected of you as a sponsor, and what you can expect from your cadets. This training will also help familiarize you with the cadet regulations onboard CGA. You will be notified via e-mail once the training is scheduled.

The matching process of swabs to families will occur during July and August. Please bear with us and remain flexible through this process. There will be a meet and greet scheduled on Campus, typically in late August. This will give families an opportunity to formally meet their cadet if they have not already done so. Details on this will also be via email.