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See what students say:

Academics

Students at the United States Coast Guard Academy recommend their school as “highly demanding, immensely rewarding, professionally oriented, and the best choice to make the best friends you are ever going to have.” Many appreciate the “regimented environment,” which, according to one management major, “Gives me a standard to live up to and hold myself to, even when I am away from here.” Cadets are “pushed to [the] limits” “academically, emotionally, and physically,” and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Importantly, “the academy fosters camaraderie amongst the Corps of Cadets that can’t be found anywhere else. With a student body numbering a little less than 1,000, the Coast Guard Academy is truly unique in its ability to provide an environment where classmates become shipmates, friends, and eventually family.” Though there are a number of excellent programs, cadets call the most attention to the strong engineering department. The academics are “challenging but rewarding.” Professors challenge cadets “to reach farther, expand their horizons, and to develop outside the classroom as much as inside of it.” An electrical engineering major expounds, “The most surprising and excellent trait that all teachers have is that they are always willing to help outside of the class rooms. Always.” Some students contend “the best part about my school is the summer training programs.” Students have traveled “across the Atlantic Ocean” stopping “in London, Iceland, and Nova Scotia.” Others have been to “Bermuda, St. Pierre France, Guantanamo Bay, and St. Petersburg Florida since coming to the Academy, which is absolutely amazing.”

Student Body

While in past, USGCA has been described as homogeneous; “the academy has been stressing diversity in its admissions and has had a good deal of success.” Luckily, a civil engineering major assures us, “Those students of different backgrounds easily fit in with everyone else.” In fact, one cadet goes so far to say “sometimes, I don’t think that cadets recognize diversity because we all wear the same uniforms, take the same classes, and are going through the same experiences.” Not surprisingly, the academy seems to attract “highly motivated [people] with a strong desire to serve in the Coast Guard.” Certainly, another hallmark of Coast Guard cadets is that they’re “hard working, smart, motivated, and in great shape.” A naval architecture and marine engineering major adds, “Type-A personalities are most common among the Corps.” A senior describes student as “very close with each other and for the most part, everyone has a group of friends that they fit in quite well with.” This sophomore cheekily sums up his peers, “A typical student here is just like a typical student anywhere else but works harder, follows stricter rules, is in better shape, and is owned by the federal government.”

Campus Life

“Life at USCGA is unique. Only way to put it,” says one junior. Day-to-day life at the Coast Guard Academy is “orderly and predictable.” During the week, it’s difficult for people to do anything “outside of their military, athletic, and academic obligations.” As one honest marine and environmental science major reveals, “Every moment of every day is planned out.” Required sports credits “keep people active and involved either intercollegiate or intramurals.” Of course, life at the Academy isn’t 100 percent work and stress. Free time is at a premium on weekdays, but “weekends are the time to explore New England, New York City, and the downtown New London area.” A senior shares, cadets “go to the beach, head up to Vermont for some hiking or skiing.... There is a lot to do if you look for it.” While “students aren’t allowed off campus during the week,” unless participating in an academy sanctioned activity, “most try and get away for the weekend.” Another senior elaborates, “Underage students tend to go to the movies or the local mall. Of-age students usually spend their time off drinking at the bars downtown.” Life at USCGA can be “very challenging and demanding at times, but the goal of becoming an officer makes it worth it.” A “guaranteed job upon graduation” is pretty persuasive as well.

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Contact Admissions Officer
Campus Programs Coordinator

Address
31 Mohegan Ave
New London, CT 06320-8103

Phone
860-701-6780

Email
admissions@uscga.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Coast Guard Barque EAGLE
Coast Guard Museum
Sailing Center and Waterfront
Souvenier Shop (Military Exchange)
Coast Guard Academy Chapel and Crown Park

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Mystic Seaport
Mohegan Sun
Foxwoods
USS Nautilis Submarine Museum
Connecticut College
Also within 2 hours driving is Newport, Rhode Island, Boston, and New York City.

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
M-F
8am - 4pm
860-701-6780

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: 1:00 PM M & F
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
1:00 PM M & F

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit
admissions@uscga.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
Overnights and Class Visits are available to students offered appointments

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Air: For private pilots, Groton-New London Airport (GON) is approximately 6 miles from the Academy. Commercial airline service has been discontinued. Taxi fare is about $10 each way. Commercial flights are available to Providence, Rhode Island Airport (PVD) and Hartford, Connecticut Airport (BDL). Livery Limited (860-599-8840) offers sedan service for approximately $90 from Providence and $115 from Hartford. Shuttle service is available to local train stations. Rental cars are available at both airports. Bus/Train: New London's bus and train station is approximately 2 miles from the Academy. Taxi fare is about $5 each way. Greyhound provides bus service, and AMTRAK provides train service to New London. Service is available from Hartford, Boston, Providence, New York, and other places. Ferry: The Orient Point Ferry Terminal is approximately 2 miles from the Academy. Taxi fare is about $5 each way. Service between Orient Point on Long Island and New London is available year round. The fare for vehicle and driver is $39; pedestrian passengers $10.50. Car: The Academy is just off Interstate 95. Travel time is approximately 2 hours from New York City or Boston.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From New Haven, New York City and Westward: Take I-95 North to Exit 82A (Frontage Road). Take Briggs Street Exit off Frontage Road. Turn left on Briggs Street at the traffic light at the top of the exit ramp. Continue on Briggs Street through three traffic lights. You will now be on Mohegan Avenue. The Academy's Main Gate will be on your right immediately after the third traffic light. From Norwich and Worcester: Take I-395 South to Exit 78 (Route 32 South). Continue on Route 32 approximately 3 miles. Take exit to I-95 South to New Haven. Turn right onto Briggs Street at stop sign at top of exit ramp. Turn right on Willams Street at next stop sign. Cross bridge and turn left on Mohegan Avenue at first traffic light. The Academy's Main Gate will be on your right. From Hartford: Take Route 2 South to Route 11 to the end. Turn left to go to Route 85 in Salem. Take Route 85 South to I-95. Get on Route I-95 North for a VERY SHORT 1/4 MILE distance. Exit on Service Road to Briggs Street Exit. Turn left on Briggs Street at the top of the exit ramp. Continue on Briggs Street through three traffic lights. You will now be on Mohegan Avenue. The Academy's Main Gate will be on your right immediately after the third traffic light. From Providence and Boston: Take I-95 South to Exit 83 (Frontage Road). Take Briggs Street Exit off Frontage Road. Turn left on Briggs Street at the traffic light at the top of the exit ramp. Continue on Briggs Street through two traffic lights. You will now be on Mohegan Avenue. The Academy's Main Gate will be on your right immediately after the second traffic light. Note: The Academy is 2 1/2 hours from New York City, 2 1/2 hours from Boston, 1 1/2 hours form Worcester, and 1 hour from Hartford. Special Academy Traffic Regulations The speed limit is 15 mph. Speed bumps and radar are used to enforce the speed limit. All vehicles must yield to pedestrians and marching sections. Most parking spaces are reserved. Park in spaces marked as open parking or visitor parking. All drivers without a valid Coast Guard or DOD sticker on their vehicle must obtain a visitors parking pass at the Main Gate prior to entering the Academy grounds.

Local Accommodations
This list is provided for information purposes. The Coast Guard Academy does not endorse any of these establishments. Other extablishments are listed in the local directory. All phone numbers are under area code 860. The Adams House 572-9551 382 Cow Hill Road Mystic, CT 06355 AmeriSuites Mystic, CT 536-9997 Best Western Mystic, CT 536-4281 Groton, CT 445-8000 Niantic, CT 739-3951 Montville, CT 848-0660 Brigadoon Bed and Breakfast 536-3033 180 Cow Hill Road Mystic, CT 06355 Comfort Inn of Mystic 572-8531 48 Whitehall Ave. Mystic, CT 06355 Comfort Suites 892-9292 275 Otrobando Ave. Norwich, CT 06360 Connecticut Yankee Inn 800-942-8466 Flanders Road, P.O. Box 479 Niantic, CT 06357 Days Inn-East Lyme 739-3951 239 Flanders Road East Lyme, CT 06333 Days Inn 572-0574 55 Whitehall Avenue Mystic, CT 06355 Econo Lodge 445-6550 425 Bridge Street Groton, CT 06340 Fairfield Suites (Marriott) 439-0151 800-228-2800 401 North Frontage Rd. Waterford, CT 06385 Gold Star Inn 446-0660 156 Kings Highway Groton, CT 06340 Groton Inn and Suites 445-9784 I-95 and Rt. 184 Groton, CT 06340 Fairfield Suites (Marriott) 439-0151 800-228-2800 401 North Frontage Rd. Waterford, CT 06385 Hampton Inn 405-1585 800-426-7866 300 Long Hill Rd Groton, CT. Harbour Inne and Cottage 572-9253 Edgemont St. Mystic, CT 06353 Holiday Inn 442-0631 I-95 and Frontage Road New London, CT 06320 Howard Johnson's Lodge 739-6921 Exit 74 off I-95 East Lyme, CT 063333 Howard Johnson's 536-2654 Rt. 27 1-800-654-2000 Mystic, CT 06355 Motel 6 739-6991 I-95, Exit 74 Niantic, CT 06357 Mystic Hilton Hotel 572-0731 1-800-HILTONS 20 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355 Mystic Marriot Hotel and Spa 625 Rt 117, Groton, CT 446-2600 The Niantic Inn 739-5451 345 Main St. Niantic, CT 06357 Norwich Inn and Spa 886-2401 607 W. Thames St. (Rt. 32) Norwich, CT 06360 Oakdell Motel 442-9446 Rt. 85, Exit 82 Off I-95 Waterford, CT 06385 The Old Mystic Inn 572-9422 52 Main Street Mystic, CT 06355 The Palmer Inn 572-9000 25 Church St. Noank, CT Quality Inn 445-8141 1-800-228-5151 404 Bridge Street Groton, CT 06340lt; Queen Anne Inn 1-800-347-8818 447-2600 265 Williams Street New London, CT 06320 Radisson Hotel 443-7000 800-333-3333 35 Governor Winthrop Blvd. New London, CT 06320 Ramada Hotel E. Lyme, CT 739-5483 Norwich, CT 889-5201 The Red Roof Inn 444-0001 1-800-843-7663 707 Coleman Street New London, CT 06320 Residence Inn Of Mystic 536-5150 40 Whitehall Ave. Mystic, CT 06355 Rocky Neck Motel 739-6268 237 W. Main Street Niantic, CT 06357 Seaport Motor Inn 536-2621 Rt. 27, Exit 90 off I-95 Mystic, CT 06355 The Sojourner Inn 445-1986 605 Gold Star Highway Groton, CT 06340 Starlight Motor Inn 739-5462 256 Flanders Road Niantic, CT 06357 Super 8 Motel 448-2818 1-800-800-8000 173 Route 12 Groton, CT 06340 Taber Motor Inn 536-4904 536-4905 Rt. 27 and Rt. 1 Mystic, CT 06355 Thames Harbor Inn 445-8111 800-243-7779 193 Thames Street Groton, CT 06340 Whaler's Inne 536-1506 800-243-2588 20 East Main Street Mystic, CT 06355 Windsor Motel 445-7474 345 Gold Star Highway Groton, CT 06340

Admissions

Applicants: 1,894
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average HS GPA: 3.83







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