End of the line

T

tmsusna

5-Year Member
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Jan 31, 2011
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Last year direct from HS my DS did not receive an appointment (3Q'd w nom) top 10%, Varsity Captain athlete (looked at several times but not fully recruited by USNA), solid SAT's, extra's.

Went Plan B to Johns Hopkins. After about 6 weeks at school DS sent me a note indicated he wanted to re-apply to USNA. In truth it caught me off guard.

Completed a new application, did all the nomination applications, interviews, new CFA...the whole 9 yards. All very positive.

Yesterday DS dropped the bomb that he tanked Calculus (D unsatisfactory progress but credit awarded). He did fine in other classes: B's in Chem and Chem Lab; B in English and two A's in Introductory Engineering classes (ChemE and MechE). Lots of wasted time, energy and stress.

Once Hopkins sends the transcripts I imagine that will be the end of the line. (Hopkins 1st semester offical grading is Pass/Fail but I doubt that will matter).

Any last gasp suggestions or thoughts?

It's been fun to learn more about USNA on these forums. Thanks to everyone.
 
First, you might be jumping to conclusions. Perhaps JHU doesn't note an actual grade on the transcript, since you note that the OFFICIAL grading at JHU for 1st semester (like MIT) is Pass/Fail. Or perhaps the USNA knows how hard Calculus is at JHU and will overlook the grade if it is posted.

If your son wants to stay at JHU, and if he wants to serve but is open to another way, Army ROTC is at JHU.
 
I hope dunninla is on the money. Conversely, if USNA does require the actual grade, they might see it as confirmation of their previous assessment. I'm hoping not, as I'd bet that following a year of calc at Hopkins Prep, he'd eat it up @ USNA. After all, they do have calc sections for non-calculus savvy students and it is very doable even for the most disinclined.

Have you considered prayer? Remember, when we pray like He is the ONLY thing that can work, not merely a "why not, what's to lose" ... and we are squared away in our own living, it always works. Consider it among your last gasp suggestions.
 
Normally, I just lurk but I cannot let this pass by. It is NOT the end of the line and in fact may be the thing that will get your son his appointment. One crummy grade does not a career make.....he needs to take the course again and get a stunningly good grade as well as his other courses this next semester. That and an honest admission during his next interview that he screwed up and learned from it and came back strong. Action talks.

I went to two years of civilian college before I got an appointment and my first year was an absolute disaster---your son is an academic water-walker compared to my first year---but my follow up actions and explanations put me ahead of the other noms on try #3. The fact he is trying a second year speaks volumes also as he is now a known quantity as well as strongly motivated. Go for it!
 
Thanks Spud

It's a tough pill to swallow given how hard he's worked - his math SAT is near 700 so he's got the goods to handle math.

Probably a too much freedom at Hopkins and too little self control.

We'll see if wants it bad enough to try a third time. Maybe a miracle will happen this go-round but doubtful since he doesn't fit one of the quotas.
 
Its the real deal at Hopkins and there is no grade inflation. My daughter is a senior there and works here tail off to get just a 3.3GPA.. All the kids there have 1400's plus on the SAT so its tough to be just average. The first semester the grades are covered and I think a D is still passing which the USNA won't see. You should be able to validate Calc now at the academy. Side note-my son had an appointment 2014 but decided NROTC was for him.
 
I feel your pain...DS dropped the bomb as well he tanked per calc his first semester of college... All other classes were good along with arotc.... Now what... He just got 2 nominations yesterday....he has already signed up to take the class again starting in jan..... So not good... Can't imagine how he feels after straight As all through HS..never even had a B ever....Does he call his academy rep now or after he talks to the teacher...does he admit he screwed up?
 
Curious

Jagabiti -
did the nomination sources not request a copy of the college transcript? Thought that was a typical requirement.

My DS has one more Congrressional interview next week (from a source that provided a nom last year) and the question is should he bring up the Calc grade if not asked?

Maybe it's not as fatal as I first thought, he is taking the class again and I'm confident he'll improve dramatically 2nd semester.
 
MOC did not request the grades from the fall semester...grades just came out after the interview... We can say with 100% certainty he will pull out at least a B. he understands it might be the end and he messed up... All he can do is try and admit his mistake...he is going to try and talk to them and plead his case based on 4 years of HS and his SAT scores... In the end he is going to serve his country and graduate from college on an ROTC scholarship..... Big lesson to learn but our kids will all land where they are supposed to be.
 
I honestly think you are making to big of a deal out of it. And it is completely understandable to do so. But one bad grade will not be the end of the line, could it affect his chances-absolutely but to say everything is lost seems to be foolish. I think it could be a very good learning experience, essay topic, etc... assuming he improves. Also it JHU, that is no joke and I highly doubt that they overlook the difficulty of the school.
 
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