At the University of North Georgia, nearly 800 cadets vie for the opportunity to commission from the prestigious senior military school. Year after year, North Georgia sends quality cadets to be nationally assessed for their skills and knowledge. Every year, North Georgia Cadets surpass and exceed the standards. A contract from the University of North Georgia is valuable. But how does one obtain it?

When you're a freshman, it's easy to imagine that senior year and contracting is only a distant hope and that you have an abundance of time to figure out your game plan. By sophomore year, you have found your routine. You have figured out who is who, and where exactly that tutoring center place was. Kind of, anyway. You know just how long you can procrastinate on your homework to still pass your classes. Life on campus feels so much more normal.The familiarization is deceptive. Freshman year was fun, but maybe you've stretched the fun throughout sophomore year and are currently a junior, or even a senior!

Perhaps you haven't procrastinated, and you still have plenty of time to consider your options. And if this applies, good on you! The same steps will apply to you, as well. If you follow these steps carefully, you will find that obtaining a contract is not as much of an abstract idea as it seems. Don’t get lost in the sauce. Help is finally here.

1. Download and print off all of the required forms from blackboard.

Fill out what you can, beginning with the pre-screen checklist. If you do not have access to these forms speak with your MILS instructor. Ensure your medical documentation is up to date. If you have any medical conditions that will require a waiver, make sure that you schedule doctor’s appointments as soon as possible. Consult with the Medical Readiness NCO located in the Military Leadership Center if you have any questions.

If you have any tickets over $250, you will need a waiver. If you are National Guard you will need to fill out Simultaneous Membership Program paperwork. This involves contacting local units and finding an available SMP position. The unit may or may not request an interview.

2. Become familiar with the 104-R document.

The 104-R is your plan of study. It will contain every class you have taken, and will take in the future. If possible, set up an appointment with your faculty adviser. Become friendly with this person. You should periodically go back to this individual to revise your 104-R. Remember your projected graduation date, based off of your 104-R.

Learn how to create your own 104-R. You can fill this document out yourself using the University of North Georgia's academic catalogs located on the University of North Georgia website. The adjutant general has authority to sign off on the 104-R in lieu of your adviser. If you choose this route, double and triple check your 104-R to ensure you have not missed or forgotten any classes.

3. Turn your completed paperwork into the Adjutant General

You can do this using the new Blackboard electronic system, or in person at the Military Leadership Center. If you submit your paperwork in person, be personable and friendly, but do not forget military decorum. It is important to keep in mind that until all of your paperwork is turned in, you are not considered a contract pursuer. You need to submit the paperwork to put yourself on North Georgia's radar.

4. Maintain your GPA

If your grades begin to slip, seek help. Earlier is better than later. GPA is a large factor when trying to contract. Don't get lost in freshman fun and have to work the rest of your collegiate career to fix initial mistakes. Be familiar with tutoring aides and locations. You can find tutoring locations and points of contact within the University of North Georgia's school website.

5. Maintain your PT score

Regular corps PT is not enough if you're seeking to significantly improve. Go to the gym. If you have a weak area, focus in on it and consistently work to improve.

6. Go Before An Accessions Board

The board will review your paperwork, and you will be put up against other non-contracted pursuers. As it stands currently, there will only be one board per semester. This makes it increasingly important to make sure all of your paperwork is turned in as early in the semester as possible. If you miss the fall semester deadline, you will have to wait until the spring. If you are a scholarship cadet, such as GMS or ROTC recipients, keep in mind that you will be assessed in a separate pool than non-scholarship cadets. Scholarship cadets will not submit a packet specifically for the boards, but they will still have to complete all of the paperwork to contract.

7. Be selected for a contract

The selections list will be updated 48 hours after the board and posted on Blackboard.

8. Have your 139-R counseling with the adjutant general.

Set up a final interview with the adjutant general to look over all of your paperwork a final time, and answer any questions they may have of you. This will conclude the majority of your packet processing, excluding the signing of the actual contract.

9. Sign your contract.

You should receive an email regarding instructions with whom to contact to sign your contract. Respond to this email as soon as possible to set up a meeting before the next contracting ceremony.

10. Go to the contracting ceremony and take a deep breath.

At this point, you have finally made it. The giant process is over! Invite mom and pops to the ceremony. Go out to lunch. Revel in the fact that you have no more paperwork to complete.