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plebe2017

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Nov 5, 2013
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I used this thread a lot as a USNA hopeful, and now as a current plebe at the academy, I'm willing to take a few questions as to my experiences and, well, whatever else you might want to know.

I will remain completely anonymous. However, a little background information might be useful...

I had a 4.4 overall GPA in high school and a 34 on the ACT
Came from a very competitive congressional district.
Got the principal nomination for my Congressman, but was rejected by senators.
Did not receive LOA.

If you have any question at all, shoot.
 
When did you hear about your appointment and how?

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My situation was a little unique...I was a principal nominee, which meant I was essentially guaranteed an acceptance. I actually found out I was accepted in mid January when my congressman personally called me to let me know I had been accepted. This is by no means a normal way of hearing about an acceptance.
 
Do you have any idea when the bulk of the appointments for class of 2018 will be delivered? Have they already? or do they continue to trickle out of Admissions... we are still waiting here in NJ.
 
your guess is as good as mine

I really don't have an answer for that. They don't tell us much along those lines. I believe almost everyone hears back by mid April or something like that, so it will be soon I promise. However, one guy I met did not receive an appointment until three days before I-Day. Keep that in mind, and good luck.
 
Has it been sortof what you expected? what's your major? How many days till Herndon :smile: ?

bandad
 
Were the classes what you expected? Was there any particular class you struggled in?

I second the above question- What's your expected major?
 
I have declared Operations Research as my major. Never even knew what it was before I got here, but it looks like it fits me perfectly and has a lot of good opportunities both in the fleet and in the civilian world.

It has been pretty much exactly what I expected. From chow calls to morning workouts to chopping around on deck, everything is as advertised. The one thing I wasn't expecting was the length of plebe year. Obviously, the name says it's a year, but I feel like I have been a plebe for a lot longer than that.

And as for Herndon, "Infinity plus 14, sir!"
 
What's been the most difficult part of plebe year for you?

And do the pro-knowledge tests live up to their infamy?
 
What exactly is Operations Research and what type of civilian jobs are available with this major?
 
No single part of Plebe Year is extremely difficult. It is the culmination of everything that is the worst part.
Plebe Summer as a whole definitely stands out because it is so abrupt and new and not meant to be easy.
The worst part of the academic year is the lack of free time. You are always doing something, starting with a workout at 0530 rain or shine and ending with studying until 2300 when you have to go to bed. No napping is allowed, and any type of media is strictly forbidden. These rules coupled with this schedule gets really old really quickly.

Pro-know is definitely a difficult part of the week. You constantly study for it throughout the week, then after class Friday, you begin the 3 hour cram session before the 7pm test. Most companies require a 90% to pass, and most of the material is verbatim. They are definitely difficult. At the same time, however, they are extremely useful. You will meet a lot of ex-military who will ask you what your MOS is or tell you that they flew the P3C Orion in an ASW squadron. Knowing your pro-know most definitely helps in those situations.
 
champ9 said:
If media is "strictly forbidden" why would you be on this web site?
Click to expand...

Good one! :shake: Although during my CVW, Plebes were on internet websites other than music, video ones. Maybe that's allowed?
 
I've heard it depends on your individual company, what, if any media is allowed during plebe summer/year. Some companies have a reputation of being more strict. If you break the rule, the entire company can be punished for your personal offense.
 
What type of leadership and EC's did you have in highschool? How many AP's did you take by the end of highschool?
Thanks for doing this and providing insightful information!
 
I guess I was a little vague, huh. Media is defined here along the lines of games, movies, YouTube, music...basically anything that involves a pair of headphones. Some companies are more strict about it, adding Facebook and other social media sites to that list. It really depends on your company for how much you can get away with, but the "no headphones" is a standard across the brigade.

Over Plebe Summer, however, there is no outside world access at all. No computers, no cell phones. The only link to the outside world is the mail, the Washington Post that comes in every 2 days, and the phone calls every two weeks. You'd be amazed...you start to forget how your favorite song goes, and next thing you know, you'll be singing marching cadences in the shower.

You were right about the punishments, though. If you get caught breaking the rules, the whole company of Plebes pays for it as you look on. Punishment for getting caught listening to music: fifty push-ups by every other Plebe in the company as you stand over them calling out the repetitions...if someone is struggling, they'll make you yell at them. It will be a while before you try listening to music again, that's for sure.
 
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