Current/Prior ALOs

[Subtle]

I'm trying to get in contact with my ALO to ask her this same question, however I haven't heard back from her in a week and while I'm going to attempt to touch bases with her again today, the Tuition Assistance deadline is drawing near, so I wanted to pose it to you as well:

My goal was to take several sets of two ten-week online classes between now and May 2016 through University of Maryland University College in Europe (UMUC), a Math or Physics class and possibly a Chemistry/Natural Science or an English class to start. However I’ve come across several road blocks, one being that as far as I know, our education center doesn’t have a UMUC representative to offer placement tests anymore, which means I’d have to start at the bare basics (Introductory Algebra). Taking classes will be good for me period after several years out of high school, but I want to bolster my package as well and I’m not certain that introductory classes are going to do much in that respect. The same goes for any English class that I would take.

Secondly, I’d be enrolling in a Chemistry/Natural Science course that doesn’t include a lab or satisfies the requirement with an at-home kit. Again, I want the credits to be worth something and I don’t know that they would be.

Any input that you have would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Christcorp]

Can I assume that you are "Enlisted". If not, state your situation. (Several years out of high school). Obviously, it can't be "Literally" several years. If so, you're too old to apply to the academy. Next; assuming you are enlisted, you would most likely be considered for the Prep-school. That's where the majority of enlisted go first. One of the main reasons for the prep-school; because you've been out of school a while.

Any classes you take in college while applying to the academy, will definitely help your application. Especially math and science classes. As for the credits being "Worth Something", that's subjective. The academy doesn't "Transfer" credits. Not in the traditional sense. You could come to the academy already having a Bachelor's degree, and you'll still do 4 full years of school. Depending on the classes you have and certain placement tests, you could bypass certain prerequisite classes and move faster. This simply allows you to take more electives or double major. But it won't really get you through any faster. But taking college classes will definitely look good on your application.

Not sure exactly what questions you're trying to ask. If I helped answer it; great. If not, please restate the question more directly.

 

[Subtle]

My apologies, I'll clarify. I'm currently an E-3, graduated high school in 2012 and went off to two different colleges before enlisting. I was a candidate for c/o 2019 and the Prep last year and didn't make the cut, which is why I'm working to improve what I can this second time around. I'm 21 now and my birthday is 1 April, so I'm too old for the Prep and this'll be my last year eligible for direct entry.

I know there's no real transfer credit at the Academy, that you still have to take the full curriculum regardless of previous classes, which I'm completely fine with. The goal with the online classes was more to show that A) I'm capable of learning the advanced material that I didn't take in high school (physics/calc) or didn't do overwhelming well in and B) that I can handle a workload that consists of classes, my job and additional duties, as well as leadership and volunteer positions on base. Taking the slightly remedial classes that I'm offered right now would certainly help for part B, but I'm still lacking on part A.

My better stated question is that I'm trying to figure out if those multiple introductory-level classes are going to do enough to showcase my strengths or if I should wait and apply to a program that will allow me to take fewer, but more advanced classes.

 

[Christcorp]

I think you'll be fine taking what you have offered. Just demonstrate and explain it in your application. There's plenty of places to express yourself in the essays and interviews. On a side note, realize that if for some reason you don't receive an appointment, that doesn't mean your dream of becoming a commissioned officer is over. You still have up to age 31 to go ROTC. You can also continue on with your degree program and go OTS.

But as for your academy hopes, don't wait for classes. Take whatever you can now, and go with it. The fact that you're applying again will show a lot to the academy. You are correct that prep-school is not an option. So make sure you have enough math and science classes to show you're prepared to take on the academy's academics. Best of luck.

 

[Subtle]

Thank you!