Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi my name is keegan fernandes and i was applying for the CSPI program i have a question about it though that i hope you dont mind answering... well my question is i am applying for the CSPI coastguard ROTC program kind of thing but i dont know if i am competitive weel here is somethings abt me.. i am a college junior with a 2.8 gpa ( 2.5 is the cutoff for this program) I very proficient in three languages ASL, Hindi, English. I am the president of two clubs at my college. I also lead a program at my church for young boys interested in helping thier community. I am a supervisor at my job and i volentteer at a local hospital and im in charge of a fundraiser that i created to help raise money for cancer patients. I just wanted to know that despite all my volunteer skills and leadership skills would my gpa count much.

ANSWER: Keegan,
It sounds like you've met all the requirements for the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) program for college sophomores and juniors.  Just like ROTC you're expected to complete your degree and all Coast Guard training requirements within 24 months after acceptance into the program.  Following successful completion of OCS, you will be commissioned as a Coast Guard Ensign, committed to 3 years of active duty service.  Your GPA in the coming years is going to count more than your volunteer activities outside CSPI.  Your volunteer activities outside CSPI aren't wasted, they've given you good practice for becoming an officer and that will become evident in CSPI.  Your leadership skills within CSPI are taken into consideration also but maintaining a 2.5 GPA is the most important.

You're lucky that your school offers CSPI, not many do.  By all means, take advantage of their offer to pay for your tuition, books, and $2,200 per month.  That's a pretty good deal because college can be very expensive.
Best of luck,
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am sorry if this is a double post but first off let me say thnakyou for your prompt response to my question i greatly appreciate it... however i wanted to know how competitve would i be given people who are applying for the same program and would you know how many officers they pick for either ROTC/CSPI program?

Answer
Keegan,
That's what I'm here for, to answer your questions.

CSPI and ROTC accepts approximately 5,000 applicants from across the U.S. every year, and 4,000 of them get scholarships.  The others can still enter the ROTC program, but at their own expense.

Both CSPI and ROTC programs look at the "whole person", not just grades, so from what you've told me I'd say you're very competitive.

Good luck,
Colonel H