Does anxiety affect admission to the Coast Guard Academy?

I'm considering applying to the Coast Guard Academy, but I'm a bit worried about whether having anxiety might disqualify me. Does anyone know how the academy views mental health issues like anxiety?

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, like all service academies, does have certain medical standards that applicants must meet. Specifically for mental health, they review if a condition could impair a cadet's ability to perform duties.

As for anxiety, it's not an instant disqualification, and each case is looked at individually. But do understand that the environment of a military academy and later service can be stressful, and it's important that individuals be able to handle that stress effectively.

If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and it is well-managed (for example: you are able to carry out daily tasks without your anxiety inhibiting you, have seen consistent progress with treatment, or haven't required treatment for a period of time) it might not necessarily result in disqualification. On the other hand, if you've been hospitalized recently due to anxiety, are on heavy medication, or your doctor does not believe you can handle a high-stress environment, this might pose a challenge to your admission.

In any case, keep in mind that honesty is essential in this process. Not disclosing a medical condition would be a serious offense. I would recommend discussing your intent to apply to the Coast Guard Academy with your health provider and see what they think. You could also consider getting in touch with a Coast Guard Academy admissions officer to ask specific questions about the medical review process.

As said, each case gets individual consideration, so it's difficult to provide an absolute answer. But I hope this overview is helpful!