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Apply to the Coast Guard Academy

Do you possess the qualities of mind, body and character to succeed at the Academy and as a Coast Guard officer? If so, we invite you to apply to the Coast Guard Academy. Applying to the Academy is free and must be done online; there is no paper application.

Apply to the Class of 2029

Highly Selective

The Coast Guard Academy is ranked among the nation’s elite undergraduate colleges. This is reflected in our highly selective admission process. So what distinguishes those who are accepted to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy?

  • Proven academic accomplishment, particularly in math and the sciences
  • Leadership skills
  • An unwavering desire to serve the country and humanity
  • Physical fitness and athleticism
  • Well-rounded interests and experiences
  • Commitment to achieve one’s full potential

Application – Availability and Deadline

The application consists of:

  • Online Application
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Medical Examination
  • Physical Fitness Examination
  • Interview – when requested by Admissions

Before you start your application, have a few things handy:

  • Your Bear’s Den login credentials
  • The names, email and phone numbers of teachers who will submit your recommendations
  • The name, email and phone number of the adult who will submit your Physical Fitness Exam results
  • The names of the colleges your parents and siblings have attended (if any)
Apply to the Class of 2029
Apply to the Class of 2029

Medical Examination

The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) and its contractor coordinate your medical examination to determine if you meet medical qualifications for admission.

Watch for a letter or email after you submit your application. Follow these instructions to schedule your exam and track results.

If the exam is not done by April 15, or your qualifications are still uncertain by May 1, you will not be eligible for further consideration.

Physical Fitness Exam (PFE)

You are responsible to arrange for the PFE. Find an adult to administer the PFE and submit your scores. The Academy will email instructions to this person after you submit your online application.

Applicants to the Coast Guard Academy must complete the PFE; the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) cannot be substituted for this required application item.

Interview

Admissions may request to interview you in order to learn more about your preparation, goals, and interests. If so, a representative of Admissions will contact you. If selected for an interview, participation is required.

Early Action

The Academy’s Early Action review group is non-binding. All applicants appointed in this group will still have until May 1st to accept or decline.

High school seniors and active duty military members are eligible for Early Action. Those attending college or a post-grad year are not unless they are first-time applicants.

Important Dates

Keep these important dates in mind as you complete your application:

  • July 15 – Admission application opens
  • October 15 – Early Action deadline
  • By December 23 – Early Action decisions released
  • January 15 – Regular Admission online application deadline
  • January 29 – Deadline for Regular Admissions forms and scores
  • By April 1 – Regular Admission decisions released
  • April 15 – Medical Examination deadline
  • May 1 – Appointment acceptance deadline
  • May 15 – Medical Exam qualification/waiver deadline
  • June 1 – Enrollment paperwork due
  • Last Monday in June – Swab Summer starts
 
Apply Now

Contact Information

LT Brad Nelson
Processing Section Chief
860-701-6753
Bradley.J.Nelson@uscga.edu
Brad Beckwith
Application/PFE Questions
860-444-8502
Bradley.J.Beckwith@uscga.edu
Shannon Castineira
DoDMERB/Medical Questions
860-701-6775
Shannon.E.Castineira@uscga.edu
Apply Now

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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