Career Application Essay

I would be honored to attend the USCGA because I believe in leading a life that will make a positive impact on others.

I have spent my entire school career knowing that I was destined to do something extraordinary with my future; something outside the box that would allow me to utilize all of my God given talents. Having worked hard to maintain stellar grades and pushing myself even harder by pursuing an accelerated educational track, I am now at that point that each young man reaches, where he must decide the best pathway for a career in excellence.

I am grateful that my academic achievements allowed me to be inundated by postcards, letters and brochures from colleges across the country. I honestly did not feel particularly drawn to
anyone who was knocking at my door. And then one day, I received my first of several notifications from the USCGA. That was the day I knew how I could lead a life that would make a positive impact on others while pursuing that career in excellence I was seeking.

I set a goal early on in life to give one hundred and ten percent of myself to every responsibility that was put before me.
Participation in extracurricular activities such as football, lacrosse and swim team allowed me to learn the importance of sportsmanship; to win or lose with dignity. My passion for swimming inspired me to become a recreational swim team coach where I had the responsibility of teaching others and sharing the same rules of sportsmanship that helped to shape my own character. The long hours of both competing and coaching were challenging, but I quickly learned that the gratification one feels at excelling pales in comparison to the pride one feels at helping others to excel. I believe this is a leadership trait that will serve me well in my career within the USCG.

Like many other candidates, I submit a record of academic achievements, a resume of leadership within my school as an officer of various school clubs and an athletic background of trophies and medals. What I believe makes me different from many others is that I am not a person to look upon what I have achieved and be satisfied with the results. I want to be further tested by the best of the best and I am confident that would be a part of my experience at the USCGA.

I am honored to have this opportunity and I welcome the trials that lie ahead of me as a USCG cadet. A life of service to my great country, standing side by side with those who feel the same level of honor and pride is what really matters when it comes to leading a life that will make a positive impact on others. I am ready to accept the
challenge.