Second sea year project problems

I am hoping to get some information about current incoming A split seniors who don't pass all 8 parts of their second sea year project, what that may mean for them. How this current administration is looking at its policies.

Our DS is struggling on some parts of his project as I write this and it is due tomorrow morning. He takes full responsibility for his time management. He also chose to do PLC, right off his last ship, from which he was medically disenrolled 5 weeks into it, but asked to come back next summer, quite devastating for him. He has taken on too much and parts of his second sea year did not go as he had hoped. We are quite devastated that he is in such a bad place and are worried, of course, about what happens if he does not do well on all 8 projects or fails any of them. He has most of them done to turn in but may not finish all the parts of every project and may be lacking some drawings. It is hard to understand how our kids get themselves into such bad places but this is what has happened for him. I know it is too early to tell what will happen but as a KP parent I know that some of you have gone through or are going through this. Maybe someone out there can help us with the probable scenarios, the minimum reqs for these projects, how much must be done well to pass them, and if there are any second chances to improve ones that don't measure up. I write this with such concern for him.
Thank you.

Mediocre is better than incomplete. I knew guys who did drawings freehand from memory just to be sure they had something ... ANYTHING to hand in.

I can't speak to how tough the current graders are, but I know in the past that not many people with complete projects failed. There were some, no question, but very few. Search the forum for sea project to get a more current flavor, as I recall from reading here they are tough on failures these days as oppossed to when I was a cadet and you could make them up on the Kings Pointer.

All that being said, DS should be planning on no sleep tonight ... he should be going balls to the wall in order to get it as complete as possible. The idea of an incomplete project should not even be in his mind right now.

norcalmom2014 said:

I am hoping to get some information about current incoming A split seniors who don't pass all 8 parts of their second sea year project, what that may mean for them. How this current administration is looking at its policies.

Our DS is struggling on some parts of his project as I write this and it is due tomorrow morning. He takes full responsibility for his time management. He also chose to do PLC, right off his last ship, from which he was medically disenrolled 5 weeks into it, but asked to come back next summer, quite devastating for him. He has taken on too much and parts of his second sea year did not go as he had hoped. We are quite devastated that he is in such a bad place and are worried, of course, about what happens if he does not do well on all 8 projects or fails any of them. He has most of them done to turn in but may not finish all the parts of every project and may be lacking some drawings. It is hard to understand how our kids get themselves into such bad places but this is what has happened for him. I know it is too early to tell what will happen but as a KP parent I know that some of you have gone through or are going through this. Maybe someone out there can help us with the probable scenarios, the minimum reqs for these projects, how much must be done well to pass them, and if there are any second chances to improve ones that don't measure up. I write this with such concern for him.
Thank you.

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In the past if you failed two you could make them up during the year. Three or more meant your going back to sea and your taking a set back.

I echo KPEngineer's advice - by hook or by crook turn in something for every submission - even if it is, in your own view "less than stellar" = at least give yourself a fighting chance. Failing is a lot more likely if you do no complete a section...

Update - no news yet

Thank you for your responses to my concerns. Our DS did end up turning in his project, but it was short 2 projects and he didn't feel good about one other so we now await the consequences. It is hard to know what will happen. He has about a 2.6 GPA, has no infractions, is currently holding an office and really wants to stay at KP and finish. We realize that there are several possibilities; from deferred grad (a blessing at this point) to setback to disenrollment. I hope that KP still sees him as an investment and grants a second chance but with the leadership changing so much and being so inconsistent these last 3 years, we really don't know what to expect.

How soon will a board convene? Is there still a commitment to pay back if you are let go? How easy is it go get in to another maritime school?

I don't want to get ahead of myself but there are such varying possibilities and the waiting is the worst part. Ring dance is in two weeks and many other senior things coming up, as well as parents weekend, (I am involved in that) so it is so disheartening as a parent to go through this rough patch with our DS. He takes full responsibility for not finishing it but there are some choices he made (going to PLC when he should have waited) that really messed up his time management and not reaching out to other people when he struggled on his ships to get information, etc.

It is just one darn long overwhelming sea project in second sea year -- so for those of you who have mids at sea now on second sea year -- HEED THIS WARNING -- THEY MUST WORK EVERY DAY ON IT AND CAN'T LET UP! They also need to really know how far along they are, being honest with themselves about it, especially with all the drawings required of engine majors.

Thanks for listening -- will keep you posted about the outcome. In the end, a sea project does not define a person and life will go on, a new avenue will present itself, so we just need to support him however it turns out. It is just such a painful life lesson.

Tell him to enjoy ring dance. It will be at least a couple of months for the projects to be graded. Good luck.

Encouraged

h20costable said:

Tell him to enjoy ring dance. It will be at least a couple of months for the projects to be graded. Good luck.

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So -- just wondering from what was said above if it is likely he will be allowed to go to things like Ring Dance. The deadline to buy tickets is Friday. I am hoping DS is just proceeding as if he will be there this year, doing all the things for senior year, studying a lot in his new classes, and getting himself really ready to go in front of a board. They gave him the impression that he might go up within this week, so hard to know what to plan for each day in a way. But, in the end, it is his to figure out. Reaching out to people there who will advise and guide is all we can suggest to him at this point. The life lessons are tough here. But being 3000 miles away, we really can't do much but listen and offer suggestions.

It can take 2 months + to hear about sea projects - sometimes after midterms. Yes, he will be allowed to go to everything and he should study like he is staying. It takes a long time to process the sea projects, and from what I have seen, the grades all come out at about the same time. He will have a painful next few months until he hears. Hopefully, he passed all the projects he handed in and he will be a deferred graduate. There were at least 10 this past year who had to go back to sea and redo projects. In the meantime, you can start doing homework about what the other maritime schools require as a transfer student if the news is bad. Good luck!

I don't recall the timing, but I passed all of my Sea Project parts except for English (I could say that was because of the grader, one very familiar with the cadets from my era for some of his eccentricities, but I was the one who turned in the admittedly poor project). I was allowed to re do the failed portion during the academic quarter and passed with flying colors. . .

Near the end of his second sea term, out 2014 mid was told he needed to fly back to KP to take an test and turn in a makeup project for which he failed during his first sea year. They had originally told him, that they would just make the second sea year project count as double. He had to fly back to KP in late April after he returned from overseas. He shaved his beard, cut his hair and reported in to take the exam. He thought he did very good on it.

A week later, he received an email stating that he failed the exam and was being recommended for disenrollment. He could either fight the charge with the board or he had the option to resign under good standing. Even with his 2.8 GPA and never having any infractions, they did not offer a setback. He saw a number of his B split classmates get kick out for similar issues, so he decided not to fight it. By resigning in good standing, they released him from any reserve obligations or any $ paybacks.

He has been able to actually enjoy the last couple of months off and has let his beard and hair grow out. He starts at the state academy at the end of the month. Some bitter/sweet here: he is ticked off about getting kicked out before his senior year but looking forward to at least one year of a "normal" college experience. Mom and Dad are sad that he put so much effort into KP only to get kicked out, but we are also excited to have him closer to home. Job prospects look good coming out of this school. He has a lot of great lifetime friends from KP, will always feel like a KP'er, but unfortunately won't have that ring, which we were able to get a refund for.

Good luck to all you and all your Mid's.

Cartgate said:

Near the end of his second sea term, out 2014 mid was told he needed to fly back to KP to take an test and turn in a makeup project for which he failed during his first sea year. They had originally told him, that they would just make the second sea year project count as double. He had to fly back to KP in late April after he returned from overseas. He shaved his beard, cut his hair and reported in to take the exam. He thought he did very good on it.

A week later, he received an email stating that he failed the exam and was being recommended for disenrollment. He could either fight the charge with the board or he had the option to resign under good standing. Even with his 2.8 GPA and never having any infractions, they did not offer a setback. He saw a number of his B split classmates get kick out for similar issues, so he decided not to fight it. By resigning in good standing, they released him from any reserve obligations or any $ paybacks.

He has been able to actually enjoy the last couple of months off and has let his beard and hair grow out. He starts at the state academy at the end of the month. Some bitter/sweet here: he is ticked off about getting kicked out before his senior year but looking forward to at least one year of a "normal" college experience. Mom and Dad are sad that he put so much effort into KP only to get kicked out, but we are also excited to have him closer to home. Job prospects look good coming out of this school. He has a lot of great lifetime friends from KP, will always feel like a KP'er, but unfortunately won't have that ring, which we were able to get a refund for.

Good luck to all you and all your Mid's.

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Interesting. Maybe a new trend, or is this routine now for problems with the Sea Project. . . .

Cartgate said:

Near the end of his second sea term, out 2014 mid was told he needed to fly back to KP to take an test and turn in a makeup project for which he failed during his first sea year. They had originally told him, that they would just make the second sea year project count as double. He had to fly back to KP in late April after he returned from overseas. He shaved his beard, cut his hair and reported in to take the exam. He thought he did very good on it.

A week later, he received an email stating that he failed the exam and was being recommended for disenrollment. He could either fight the charge with the board or he had the option to resign under good standing. Even with his 2.8 GPA and never having any infractions, they did not offer a setback. He saw a number of his B split classmates get kick out for similar issues, so he decided not to fight it. By resigning in good standing, they released him from any reserve obligations or any $ paybacks.

He has been able to actually enjoy the last couple of months off and has let his beard and hair grow out. He starts at the state academy at the end of the month. Some bitter/sweet here: he is ticked off about getting kicked out before his senior year but looking forward to at least one year of a "normal" college experience. Mom and Dad are sad that he put so much effort into KP only to get kicked out, but we are also excited to have him closer to home. Job prospects look good coming out of this school. He has a lot of great lifetime friends from KP, will always feel like a KP'er, but unfortunately won't have that ring, which we were able to get a refund for.

Good luck to all you and all your Mid's.

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Your DS is a gem!.. we know him well; this was a very sad occurrence and although we, too, are not in agreement with the KP decision, we know he will do well in this next phase and are here to help in any way we can...please take care

norcalmom2014 said:

So -- just wondering from what was said above if it is likely he will be allowed to go to things like Ring Dance. The deadline to buy tickets is Friday. I am hoping DS is just proceeding as if he will be there this year, doing all the things for senior year, studying a lot in his new classes, and getting himself really ready to go in front of a board. They gave him the impression that he might go up within this week, so hard to know what to plan for each day in a way. But, in the end, it is his to figure out. Reaching out to people there who will advise and guide is all we can suggest to him at this point. The life lessons are tough here. But being 3000 miles away, we really can't do much but listen and offer suggestions.

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Sea Project grades are due in the Registrar's Ofc by 0900 Sept 24 (my DS's bday, ug!) and Academic Review of those projects will be on Friday Sept 27...fingers crossed!

Cartgate said:

Near the end of his second sea term, out 2014 mid was told he needed to fly back to KP to take an test and turn in a makeup project for which he failed during his first sea year. They had originally told him, that they would just make the second sea year project count as double. He had to fly back to KP in late April after he returned from overseas. He shaved his beard, cut his hair and reported in to take the exam. He thought he did very good on it.

A week later, he received an email stating that he failed the exam and was being recommended for disenrollment. He could either fight the charge with the board or he had the option to resign under good standing. Even with his 2.8 GPA and never having any infractions, they did not offer a setback. He saw a number of his B split classmates get kick out for similar issues, so he decided not to fight it. By resigning in good standing, they released him from any reserve obligations or any $ paybacks.

He has been able to actually enjoy the last couple of months off and has let his beard and hair grow out. He starts at the state academy at the end of the month. Some bitter/sweet here: he is ticked off about getting kicked out before his senior year but looking forward to at least one year of a "normal" college experience. Mom and Dad are sad that he put so much effort into KP only to get kicked out, but we are also excited to have him closer to home. Job prospects look good coming out of this school. He has a lot of great lifetime friends from KP, will always feel like a KP'er, but unfortunately won't have that ring, which we were able to get a refund for.

Good luck to all you and all your Mid's.

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Glad to hear your DS landed on his feet - sounds likea level headed young man who will do well. Sorry to hear of the decision my Alma Mater made in his regard though - I too, do NOT agree with it and am especially bothered by the fact that they even bring up the idea of potnetially asking for repayment, etc in the discussion. Also I'm not even sure they could really enforce that if they wanted to since they have so often waived it in the past for so many precident setting reasons; my understanding is there would be and should be legal precidents with regard to "selective enforcement" that would make it difficult at best for the Government to prevail if a dismissed student contested it legally.

Granted I only know what I read here which is anecdotal, but he do seem very trigger happy on kicking kids out these days.

It seems to me that "Resigning in good standing" are exactly the ones who should be subject to repayment. Has anyone ever heard of anyone receiving a bill for their unfinished time at KP? I haven't.

I will say that I know with the Sequesters the Admin at KP is getting "trigger" happy. The number of all newbies entering all SA is down. The thing I don't get and do not agree with is kicking someone out for a stupid reason after investing all those taxpayer dollars in a young man or woman.

Project reults

DS passed all projects. Hope everyone survived.

I don't know of anyone receiving a bill, but I know of many who have had to serve as enlisted folks in the navy to repay.