I have thought about it some more, and have come to the conclusion that I don't think it's honors or no honors as much as it is outside class involvement. I think that's what really made the difference in DS's case.My DS joined the Honors College, knowing that those courses would be more work and be graded harder. It turned out worth it for him. His grades were not perfect, but he said the classes were better. Chemistry is a 5 hour course in honors. Writing is more interesting (he did not have to take Freshman Comp. in the honors program) Generally speaking at his school, you get better teachers and have small classes with lots of discussion. I think you just have to look at the individual school's program to decide. DS knew he would reapply to USNA and had to think about not getting in a second time. If that had been the case he wanted to be in the Honors College all 4 years, so that's where he started.
And that is the problem -- no one will provide specifics for the TWE, so do you assume you have to improve across the board? They say to take classes similar to Plebe year, but since most of the candidates receiving TWEs already took AP/IB/college level courses covering the plebe year curriculum, are you supposed to RETAKE in college, get excellent scores, reapply and hopefully get a 2nd time appointment? They state many Plebe actually validate out of 1st year classes, so this only complicates the question of what classes to take in order to get in 2nd time around. If anyone who got in 2nd time around could elaborate on what their "outside class involvement" was (ROTC, sports, comm. service, clubs, etc.) it would be helpful -- also how can one get into leadership positions their freshman year when so many leadership roles are determined at end of previous school year?
I will tell you what my DS did, but every single application will have so many different aspects that you can never compare like activities from one candidate to another. He knew when he arrived at State University that he was reapplying (wait-listed the year before) so he looked at opportunities to help that application. He did honors coursework mirroring plebe year except for physics because he wasn't allowed to take it. He majored in engineering, so he went ahead and took those freshman courses as well. In the first semester he picked up his Scuba certification, pledged a Christian fraternity, joined the Chemical Engineering society, joined a church group where he is a musician, joined the university Fencing Team, and the biggest thing, I think, was he became a Volunteer Firefighter which required over 100 hours of coursework two nights a week. He was being interviewed to be on the student judiciary committee this spring, but now he won't need that. Every case is different. He chose not to do NROTC because he was bound and determined to go to USNA. He was a really busy boy. Like a previous post said, when you go to orientation they will tell you about everything there is to get involved in. Our whole family has agreed that this year's college experience was the best thing that could ever have happened. He has college study skills, has new accomplishments, and has already gone through saying goodbye to his family. He will approach plebe year a much changed man, as opposed to if he had gone out of high school. It was the best blessing EVER!And that is the problem -- no one will provide specifics for the TWE, so do you assume you have to improve across the board? They say to take classes similar to Plebe year, but since most of the candidates receiving TWEs already took AP/IB/college level courses covering the plebe year curriculum, are you supposed to RETAKE in college, get excellent scores, reapply and hopefully get a 2nd time appointment? They state many Plebe actually validate out of 1st year classes, so this only complicates the question of what classes to take in order to get in 2nd time around. If anyone who got in 2nd time around could elaborate on what their "outside class involvement" was (ROTC, sports, comm. service, clubs, etc.) it would be helpful -- also how can one get into leadership positions their freshman year when so many leadership roles are determined at end of previous school year?
Thank you! This is what i assumed, that you would mirror SOPHOMORE year classes. But IF you are admitted 2nd time, can you validate out of 2 years of classes? That seems unlikely.....