SUMMER SEMINAR ADVICE

Many people ask us for advice regarding how to impress during Summer Seminars (SS).  Also known as Summer Leadership Experience (SLE) for West Point, or Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) for Coast Guard Academy, all of the Service Academy Summer Seminars are coming up quickly, so we want to be clear about what matters in terms of getting into a Service Academy this coming year.

We believe that Summer Seminars are primarily about you immersing yourself in the Academy experience so you can evaluate if the Academy is the right fit for you. Since the Academies are a unique undergraduate experience, don’t be overly consumed with trying to impress to the point that you forget to reflect on if this is your desired future.

With that said, the following are a few activities at Academy Summer Seminars that could have a big impact on your application this fall. Pay attention!

USMA SLE: CFA + Interview.

1. Fitness. YES. You will take the real Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) at SLE, and it will be entered into your application file. If you fail, you will be given a remedial amount of time (60 days) to get a better score. Fitness matters! 
2. Interview. YES. In addition, you will be interviewed and it will count as your Field Force Rep application interview. This is huge! Be ready to go.

USNA SS: CFA only.

1. Fitness. YES. You will take the real CFA at USNA Summer Seminar, and it will be reported in your admissions file. You will be allowed to take it again if you fail. They “like to see improvement” from the Candidate Visit Weekend (if attended) to Summer Seminar to the real application.   
2. Interview. NO. Your interview will not be conducted during Summer Seminar. Instead, you will do the real BGO interview, most likely after you turn in your application.

USAFA SS: Neither. 

1. Fitness. NO. Due to altitude, you will not take the real CFA at USAFA. Any fitness you undergo will not be reported in your real application. 
2. Interview. NO. In addition, you will not have an admissions interview. Any interviews you have will not be reported in your application file. Instead, you will do the real ALO interview this fall, most likely after you turn in your application.

USCGA AIM: PFE only. 

1. Fitness. YES. You will have the opportunity to take the PFE at USCGA AIM. However, if you do not like your score, you can scratch your score and it will not be reported in the application. 
2. Interview. NO. In addition, you will not have an admissions interview. If USCGA does an admissions interview, they will send you an interview invitation this fall.

In summary, enjoy your Summer Seminar experience. Be professional, be passionate, and knock those above items out of the park!