Recent content by serendipityRN

DS validated quite a few classes with no regrets, according to him. I was concerned about him starting first semester plebe year in calc 3 but he said it was easier for him than his AP calc BC was- basically, he feels validating gives a lot of flexibility with options during your four years.

Our parent club experience has been incredibly positive. It has been helpful for us to talk with other parents who "get it" that our kids are not at typical college as well as learning as this experience has been all new in many ways. Ours is completely social though-get togethers every few...

I wonder if this has changed over time as we found a lot to do on I-Day, to the point we simply couldn't do it all. DH and I were both really glad that we didn't miss it. That was our first trip to USNA though, so your mileage may vary if you have been there for prior visits. And it helps...

One of the most amazing days ever :)

That's what my plebe said-there is a backdoor open that shows all of the schedules but he knows his could change. He has much the same as has been listed before but he is trying to decide whether or not to validate swimming. The swimming will be easy enough but the platform jump will be the...

And I know it has been mentioned on here before, but Southwest has been our best bet for travel plans for DS simply because of the option of making changes. I scheduled his Thanksgiving and winter break flights fairly early but then changed them somewhat multiple times as either he knew his...

I think that shows the differences in experiences-my DS said to stop sending drink powders as they had more gatorade than they knew what to do with-it was apparently taking all of the space in their closets?? And other than treat foods, which I didn't send until after PS due to the no junk food...

The things mine asked for last summer: pictures, a good razor (because he was dry shaving), and peanut butter. He really didn't care about other food care package items. I did send him a letter every day of plebe summer with a Calvin and Hobbes strip, a joke, some inspirational quote, and a...

DS had his AP scores sent to USNA. The senior year scores arrived around the first week in July. While you can't use AP scores for every subject, they do count for validating quite a few classes so your DS should use them if he can.

Even in the hotel room, ds wore his PT gear. He's a rule follower though and would have felt like he was cheating in same way if he had done otherwise. Of course a tee shirt and shorts isn't really a hardship to have to wear any way!

Mine spends relatively little. He has two checking accounts-the one through NFCU that his pay is deposited in and he makes IRA contributions from and then a checking account here that he put his summer job savings into-that is his fun money (and I have access to that one so I can add to it when...

We stayed at the Doubletree for PPW which is about 3 miles away, I think. I was prepared for the terrible traffic heading back each evening-and it just didn't happen. We had plenty of time each evening and were able to park easily by Bancroft each night. Being within walking distance would...

Three quick calls over the course of 6 weeks. Believe me, everything stopped for those calls :). It was very reassuring to be able to talk to my son and hear that he was okay. I appreciate now that he can and does call either dh or I every couple of days.

If you have to choose between I Day and PPW, PPW wins without question. That said, Dh and I both found I Day to be pretty amazing. We flew out just the three of us a few days before to do touristy things and just spend time together. Ds is the oldest of three, and I think having that time...