English

JohnUSAFA

USAFA 2015 Appointee
5-Year Member
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Oct 13, 2010
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Is any sort of reading that I will have assumed to have done when I arrive at the Academy? My English classes didn't have much of an emphasis on the classics up until now (books such as the Odyssey, the Great Gatsby, Hamlet, etc.) and that makes me worried that I might be at a disadvantage in comparison to the other C4Cs. Are there any books that the professors will have expected me to have read, and if not, what is some suggested reading to get me prepared?

Also, on a completely unrelated note, just out of curiosity, is there anything that the BCT cadre is not allowed to say to the basics, i.e. is there a line that cannot be crossed when talking to them.
 
That is a good question, as I have been wondering something similar about math. My school's mathematics department is somewhat lacking. Should I memorize any specific formulas or know any concepts from calculus? (I only took up to trigonometry.) Any insight would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
 
classes

English - I wouldn't worry too much about classic literature. The basic freshman english class is more focused on writing styles. I don't think you will be at any disadvantage.

Math - If it is not too late, I would definitely enroll in some sort of calculus class! I think it is safe to say that the majority of freshman start in Calc. II their freshman year. That is not to say that you are behind if you do not start in Calc II, but if you plan on being a techy major (engineering, math, etc.) it definitely makes your course load a little more manageable later on.

If it is too late to enroll in a calc class, I would borrow, buy, or find a calc book and try to learn or familiarize yourself with some of the concepts such as derivatives. If all else fails, the teachers here are great and would be more than glad to help if you need it, and trust me, everyone here seeks help at one point or another.

Hope this helped.
 
BCT

Also, on a completely unrelated note, just out of curiosity, is there anything that the BCT cadre is not allowed to say to the basics, i.e. is there a line that cannot be crossed when talking to them.

I forgot to address this part of your question earlier.
There are lines that the cadre cannot and 99% of the time will not cross. There are usually officers and/or NCO's present to supervise and make sure no training violations are commited. That being said, what the are allowed to do and say could still be a shock, especially in the new environment you will be in, but the cadre also make sure not to cross lines because they could get in a lot of trouble
 
crossing the line

In my opinion, anything racist, prejudice, or intentionally deragotory would cross the line. They will call you stupid, they will say you are the worst at everything, that is just their job, and it is necessary so you learn to work under stress.

Physically, crossing the line in my opinion would be any unwanted contact. They are good about asking for permission to touch (in order to fix your uniform in an appropriate manner). Other physical things would be hitting, but that doesn't happen.

I really don't think there is any cause for concern in this area, but regardless, I hope I answered your question.
 
You answered both questions, thank you. There wasn't really a concern about the cadre, just a curiosity.
 
As I recall last year my son received some sample test or math that he should at least be familiar with and somthing else. In the first beast there are test that you will take to help with placement as I am sure you already know. The AMT's are there to look over cadre's shoulder they are learning as well. Hope I helped a little.
 
You will receive a letter from the AFA mathematics dept. DS just received it last week a few days after he received BFE #2. the letter indicates:
1. a solid background in algebra and trig is critical. they tell you to report "mathematically fit". there is a self-diagnostic exam on their website which will help you identify any weaknesses and correct them prior to arriving at the academy. (select the exam prep link at www.usafa.edu/df/dfms/)

2. explains you take a 90 minute exam a few days after I-day on algebra, trig and diff. calculus. if you havent taken calculus you can leave that part blank. an optional 50 minute exam covering integral calculus and taylor series as well.

they say your performance on their exams is the primary factor for placement. other factors such as AP exams or college classes may be a secondary factor.

ds did not get any info yet about English so i can't answer that question.
hope this helps!
 
You will receive a letter from the AFA mathematics dept. DS just received it last week a few days after he received BFE #2. the letter indicates:
1. a solid background in algebra and trig is critical. they tell you to report "mathematically fit". there is a self-diagnostic exam on their website which will help you identify any weaknesses and correct them prior to arriving at the academy. (select the exam prep link at www.usafa.edu/df/dfms/)

2. explains you take a 90 minute exam a few days after I-day on algebra, trig and diff. calculus. if you havent taken calculus you can leave that part blank. an optional 50 minute exam covering integral calculus and taylor series as well.

they say your performance on their exams is the primary factor for placement. other factors such as AP exams or college classes may be a secondary factor.

ds did not get any info yet about English so i can't answer that question.
hope this helps!
Thanks for the info Supergirl. BTW - how long does it take before you get BFE #2?
 
Thank you everyone for the insight! It has helped a lot!
 
DS signed appointment beg of march. received BFE on 3/26. so a couple of weeks.
 
Math - If it is not too late, I would definitely enroll in some sort of calculus class! I think it is safe to say that the majority of freshman start in Calc. II their freshman year. That is not to say that you are behind if you do not start in Calc II, but if you plan on being a techy major (engineering, math, etc.) it definitely makes your course load a little more manageable later on.

Not too sure I would agree about the majority of freshman testing into Calc II. At least, in my squadron I'd say out of our 30-ish freshmen, 2 tested in to Calc III, a handful into Calc II, and the majority into Calc I or lower.

But, in any case, taking some more math if at all possible wouldn't hurt. Even if you do still start in Calc I, some background knowledge should make the course a bit easier to understand.
 
Another AP Related Post

So, let's just say that in May I hypothetically receive a 4 on my Calc AB AP test. How could/would that help me when being placed for classes? What about a 4 in AP Chem? I know there are still classes, but it seems like a current 4deg is on this forum, so any opinions or personal experience with that?
 
But, in any case, taking some more math if at all possible wouldn't hurt. Even if you do still start in Calc I, some background knowledge should make the course a bit easier to understand.

Are you there now? I have a question that came up regarding mathematics and would love to have a definitive answer. I heard that if an incoming cadet tested as needing pre-Calc, they'd be assigned that math class fall semester, no credit, and also regular Calc SIMULTANEOUSLY. Yikes. Is that true?
 
I would like to just say, I think it is inaccurate to say most freshman start in calc II, I think most actually start in calc I, at least the majority of my freshman (I worked basic last summer) started in calc I. Also, when you are going through basic, it seems like it is all about you and the cadre are out to get the basics, but being cadre is almost or as big a challenge as being a basic and permanent party (officers and enlisted) are everywhere to make sure cadre not only don't cross the line, but are learning and doing the best possible job.
 
So, let's just say that in May I hypothetically receive a 4 on my Calc AB AP test. How could/would that help me when being placed for classes? What about a 4 in AP Chem? I know there are still classes, but it seems like a current 4deg is on this forum, so any opinions or personal experience with that?


the way i understood the letter ds received from the math dept, you would take the test in basic and your score on the afa test would determine your placement. if you were borderline - could be placed up or down they would look at your score on the AP exam.

I assume that chemistry is dealt with the same way as i thought i read somewhere along the way that you are also tested in basic for chemistry and physics but i couldnt find what i read so i might be wrong about the chemistry part. we may also have been told that by another cadet when we visited the academy so maybe someone else can weigh in on the chemistry part.
 
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