Reapplying for a third time

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EagleScout95

5-Year Member
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Feb 16, 2014
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I am a college freshman and just received my second TWE. I do plan on reapplying when the portal opens again on April 1st and want to increase my chances of getting in for round three.

I did not academically succeed my fall semester, below are my grades:

- Calculus I: D
- Chemistry I: C+
- English: A
- History: B+
- Philosophy: A

The above grades amount to a 2.666 GPA within 17 credit hours.

Would it be advised to retake the same Calculus and Chemistry courses again, and become proficient?

OR

Progress to the next class (I am in calc 2 so the next progression is calc 3 for example) and take that course?

As a contingency plan, I have already been accepted to another university and will be a Marine Option NROTC college programmer.

There is no excuse for my grades, I should have taken the steps to prevent such a devastation. Being completely responsible for receiving a TWE this year, what can I do?
 
I suggest retaking calc and chemistry just because if you get a B or A it shows your progression and dedication towards bettering yourself in courses the academy highly values. That's just my 2 cents though,
 
Well I mean, you're already in Calc 2...I think if I were in your spot I would just do super well in Calc 2..like an A or A- . Your grade shows that either you just did really badly on tests or you had trouble with the concepts. Or both.

Some stuff from Calc 1 you need to know for Calc 2, so it's your call.
 
Even though the academy has humanities majors, everyone graduates with a bachelor of science. Those grades in calc and chem aren't going to cut it, so I would retake them and honestly aim for A's to be deemed competitive, anything less probably wouldn't look good for a course retaken.
 
A D in Calc I is setting you up to fail Calc II, at least in my opinion. Additionally, you need a C+ to transfer Calculus anywhere. I'd suggest retaking it. What are you majoring in currently?
 
I am currently a mathematics major and retaking those courses are very possible. I plan on calling the CGO and see what they recommend as well.
 
My son contacted his RD after not scoring super high on 4th retake of SAT. He is a college freshmen. His advice to my son who got a 640 math and 530 reading on SAT was to focus on math and get an A in calc. I would suggest retaking. If RD says get an A your D in calc in my mind is fatal.
 
As someone who struggled with calc at USNA, I tend to agree with the poster above who said you may want to start over with Calc I to ensure you fully understand the principles. I didn't fully grasp Calc I and, by the time I got to Calc III a year later, it was brutal. Even lots of EI (extra instruction) couldn't make up for what I'd "missed" in the prior courses. You might want to take Calc I at a CC over the summer, even if not for credit. Different prof, only one course to focus on, etc. may help.

To be competitive as a college reapplicant, you really need As or Bs in calc and chem. Obviously As are better but a high B in one isn't fatal. Anything lower and USNA is concerned that you will struggle academically as a mid and, absent some major mitigating factor, probably won't be willing to take that chance.
 
Agree look at summer school options for Calc. It could be your one focus. If you are a math major understanding these principles is critical. I got a D first semester in Calc 1, retook it, took Calc 2 in summer school and was caught back up. Best decision I made.
 
DD daughter had a D first time in calc 1--retook it at a local community college--she missed the window to register for it at her university--earned an A and now doing great in calc 3. She said the best thing she ever did was retake calc 1!
 
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EagleScout95, I agree with the others who have said it would be a good idea to repeat Calc I and Chemistry. The Chem I course at USNA is known to be a killer for many plebes. Our DS retook Calc I in college/prep school even though he had a B in AP Calc AB because he wanted his foundation to be solid. Consider hiring a tutor to assist you.
 
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