Recent content by StayDown05

EI is “extra instruction.” This is the help that is scheduled specifically with your professor as opposed to the MIDN led groups like MGSP (I believe this literally stands for MIDN guided study period, but I’m not 100% certain).

It's definitely not as common anymore, what with all the advice, training plans, and other stuff you can find all over the internet. That and most students are in some sort of athletics program/PE class. However, during PS you hear from their companymates that there are some people who slack...

Okay, so you have about 108 days until I-day. In that time, you definitely need to be running. Running is sometimes overlooked because it is part of the basics, but you run a lot during Plebe Summer. The good news is no matter what you do, you will massively improve at running by the end of PS...

First, I'm sorry you ever had trouble with that, that sounds horrendous! The food is good in my opinion, but a few people disagree. It is institutional food, 5,000 people eat at the same time so it's obviously not going to be your Chef Boyardee dreams. However, they do a good job of providing...

First, it was explained to us that media means entertainment (Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, etc.). We're still allowed to use Google and YouTube when it relates to class or as a tool. In other words, I don't consider this entertainment for entertainment's sake; hopefully I'm helping with "preparing...

They asked for MIDN volunteers to dance for an opening ceremony. I signed up because I figured it would be a cool experience and to get free waltz lessons. Later on I figured out that the event we were dancing for was the Viennese Ball at the Embassy of Austria, which is a cultural exchange...

The whole academy is "leadership training." Almost everything you do there will have some tie to trying to make you a better leader. An important thing to know is that you don't magically gain leadership ability the minute you get here. You are carefully selected during high school for your...

It feels different for everyone, but it's definitely more time management than High School. I'm not going to lie, I have a 3.25 right now which originally smacked me off-kilter as someone who always had a 4.0 in HS. The classes are harder and require more of your time. You will have HW almost...

First, congratulations on both offers! That's an amazing achievement. I had to ask myself a similar question as I had a full ride to my state school with an NROTC scholarship. I went full nerd and made a pros and cons list, and I encourage you to do the same. I was lucky enough that with the...

Nope, no unlimited carry on for us. We did get more than our fair share of weekends and excitement, though. I think that Company culture has definitely become more tight-knit in Academy. It's amazing how fast you form bonds with the people around you! When they talk about family for life, they...

For just normal weekend liberty its 35-50 miles from the Chapel Dome depending on your class year. Overnight liberty is different, that's where the 150 mile radius comes into play. Yes, football wins grant overnights! Extra overnights when we beat Army ;)! We were super excited that our team...

I got my appointment in April! I was notified by a call from my senator, and I was so unbelievably excited that all I remember saying is, "Thank you, sir, I won't let you down." I was pretty average across the board for academics, having come from a small school. No state championships, 4.0 but...

Surprisingly enough, our company has had no one DOR (drop on request; quit). However, I have had people quit in the classes I am in, and mostly it's athletes who realize that life in the Naval Academy isn't what they thought it was when they were being recruited. Other than that, as you will...

This question is pretty subjective. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. For some it might be the running and push-ups, for others memorizing endless rates. Saying that the worst part of plebe summer for most people is time in the hallway. You just stand there memorizing rates and...

There is a ton of advice. I wish I could just hardwire my experience into your brain. Rest assured that you are going to do great! In the meantime, more advice: 1. Don't quit. You got accepted by the admissions board. They obviously see something that makes them believe that you are going to...