™Coast Guard · APPLICATION STARTER GUIDE
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
New London, Connecticut
Check your eligibility
U.S. citizen; age 17–22 on the last Monday in June; unmarried with no dependents or financial debt; high-school diploma or GED before entry.
Standard U.S. applicant route. Check official instructions for special applicant categories.
Your application checklist
- Apply directly—no congressional nomination is needed.
- Prepare essays, transcripts and recommendations from your math teacher, English teacher and counselor.
- Submit SAT or ACT scores and the Physical Fitness Examination (PFE).
- Complete DoDMERB qualification before an appointment; attend an interview if admissions requests one.
What stands out in this application
Service motivation and well-rounded achievement
USCGA highlights math/science accomplishment, leadership, athleticism, varied interests and a desire to serve country and humanity. Its admissions process is merit-based; congressional nominations are neither required nor considered. USCGA admissions ↗ Official guidance ↗
CadetScope preparation tip: Use specific examples to explain your service motivation and teamwork. Prepare for USCGA’s PFE rather than assuming the other academies’ CFA applies.
SAT & ACT snapshot
Section medians · typical class; year not specified
SAT: Math 660 · Critical Reading 650
ACT: Math 28 · English 31
Historical statistics, not minimums or admission guarantees. Section figures are not composite scores.
Dates to put on your calendar
Published deadlines: October 15 for Early Action and January 15 for regular admission. Confirm the current cycle and supporting-material deadlines in the application.
Official sources reviewed September 17, 2026. This CadetScope summary is a starting point; the academy’s current application instructions control. Admission is competitive and meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee an appointment.
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