I am interested in The Coast Guard Academy because it is the second smallest branch, which

means there are more opportunities to get to know more of the people you are training with. I
want a college experience that has a strong focus on academics followed by experiences I need
to develop a career I can be proud of. The biggest reason, over all else, that makes the
Academy my first choice for college and career, is the opportunities cadets have to apply their
learning throughout their college experience. The opportunities provided each year are diverse
and full of over 200 years of traditions that look incredible and completely unique to the Coast
Guard Academy.

While researching the Coast Guard, I was able to get in contact with Lieutenant Pierson
at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Station. We had a conversation about the academy and his
experience there. While at the Coast Guard Station in Grand Haven, I was able to take a
walk-through and get a feel for what a basic day would look like while stationed. I have grown
up surrounded by the Great Lakes. I know that I want water to always be a part of my life. My
favorite hobbies involve the water and have provided me with many opportunities to learn and
respect marine life and the power of water. My father is a marine engineer and has worked all
over the country. I have gone to job sites with him and helped him conduct surveys on piers and
underwater structures. Math and sciences are the subjects I have always enjoyed the most and
where I have had academic success. I knew marine engineering would be a career that suits
my skill set. Marine engineering became the field I am most interested in. It combines my love
for the water with a career I am well suited to.

I have had multiple opportunities to hold leadership positions. My first opportunity was
when my seventh-grade English teacher nominated me to be a member of the Michigan Middle
School Leadership Initiative. MMLI taught us about trust, and that sometimes you have to rely
on people around you, and can’t do everything alone. I have been a member of the National
Honor Society for two years and was accepted into the student leadership class. I am a leader
on my school varsity basketball team and am going out for team captain. I was all-conference
in volleyball last season, along with being one of only two returning players on the team. We
worked together to bring along new teammates and made it all the way to the state semi-finals.
I have been a lifeguard at local pools for the last 4 years. Thankfully, there haven’t been any
major incidents. I made sure to keep my certificate current and was prepared in the event
something would happen. As a scholar, a teammate, and a lifeguard, I value the importance of
always being ready.