Current Plebe; Ask Away

I was searching around on the website and saw that USMA is ranked high when it comes to students finding their professors approachable. I was able to sit in for 2 classes last school year and really enjoyed them. In general, how do you feel about your professors and approaching them? I wonder if it varies based on what you are majoring in.
 
GoArmy2022 said:
You can also get bonus passes by watching honor boards (that’s right—they’re open to cadets to see!).
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So are you guaranteed a bonus pass for each viewing? Or is it like a watch a certain amount and get one pass?
 
Ems410 said:
I was searching around on the website and saw that USMA is ranked high when it comes to students finding their professors approachable. I was able to sit in for 2 classes last school year and really enjoyed them. In general, how do you feel about your professors and approaching them? I wonder if it varies based on what you are majoring in.
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I also was able to sit in two classes. Both professors, one calc and one English, seemed very approachable. They both were very humorous with the cadets. The female English teacher even brought her two very young children into the classroom when her daycare was closed. I would assume that their very humorous and open personalities would correlate to them being very approachable. I even felt comfortable enough to engage in small conversation with them as a CC.
 
Yankee23 said:
Ems410 said:
I was searching around on the website and saw that USMA is ranked high when it comes to students finding their professors approachable. I was able to sit in for 2 classes last school year and really enjoyed them. In general, how do you feel about your professors and approaching them? I wonder if it varies based on what you are majoring in.
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I also was able to sit in two classes. Both professors, one calc and one English, seemed very approachable. They both were very humorous with the cadets. The female English teacher even brought her two very young children into the classroom when her daycare was closed. I would assume that their very humorous and open personalities would correlate to them being very approachable. I even felt comfortable enough to engage in small conversation with them as a CC.
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I sat in a psychology one I believe and one that dealt with survival (forgot the name). Both professors asked me questions and the cadets were extremely comfortable with them. One of the reasons why I am going to do everything I can to get into USMA. I have sat in classes for other schools and none compare to that of my experience with West Point.
 
Yankee23 said:
So are you guaranteed a bonus pass for each viewing? Or is it like a watch a certain amount and get one pass?
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1 HNB = 1 performance pass.

Approved for AY-19 by higher-than-company leadership. This means your TACs have to credit you the pass if you observe an honor board. Might change for AY-20.
 
Ems410 said:
I was searching around on the website and saw that USMA is ranked high when it comes to students finding their professors approachable. I was able to sit in for 2 classes last school year and really enjoyed them. In general, how do you feel about your professors and approaching them? I wonder if it varies based on what you are majoring in.
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Hello!

So I haven’t started my major track yet. I’m going to choose Sociology but they have to choose me back; I won’t know until mid-March or early April since that’s how it’s historically been.

About the instructors here...I’ve had an overall outstanding experience with them. I haven’t had a civilian instructor in an academic class, though I had one in my Mil Move class and he had lots of positive energy/passion for his work. He also has his medical degree—an overall legend. I racked up some serious hours of AI (additional instruction) with my Chemistry teacher. I needed it. Chem is a hard class at West Point, but my teacher was super cool and helped me with concepts I didn’t understand. I got my first “good” grade in Chemistry this year because of him. Not to mention he’s an airborne ranger, so a total badass.

My former psychology instructor is a full-bird Colonel and an outstanding guy. He told our class a story about getting lost in a minefield and taught us some platoon leader lessons while also ensuring we learned the basics of military psychology.

However, even though my math class was the most difficult for me, it was my math instructor that stuck it out for me the most. I am still suffering a bit from a personal issue that occurred prior to my arrival to West Point. It has impacted me in a very negative way, as I was tired in class because I had been sleeping less, having some emotional stability issues, etc. I passed as being an ordinary, tired cadet to all of my instructors but her and my psychology teacher, though he didn’t seem to know that I am often too proud to ask for help and probably wouldn’t consult him. She came to me and asked me what had happened. I came out of my shell a little bit and she gave me the resources I didn’t know I needed. Things are almost better now.

A long response to a short question, but I believe the length is well-justified.

I hope this helped.
 
GoArmy2022 said:
Hello!

So I haven’t started my major track yet. I’m going to choose Sociology but they have to choose me back; I won’t know until mid-March or early April since that’s how it’s historically been.

About the instructors here...I’ve had an overall outstanding experience with them. I haven’t had a civilian instructor in an academic class, though I had one in my Mil Move class and he had lots of positive energy/passion for his work. He also has his medical degree—an overall legend. I racked up some serious hours of AI (additional instruction) with my Chemistry teacher. I needed it. Chem is a hard class at West Point, but my teacher was super cool and helped me with concepts I didn’t understand. I got my first “good” grade in Chemistry this year because of him. Not to mention he’s an airborne ranger, so a total badass.

My former psychology instructor is a full-bird Colonel and an outstanding guy. He told our class a story about getting lost in a minefield and taught us some platoon leader lessons while also ensuring we learned the basics of military psychology.

However, even though my math class was the most difficult for me, it was my math instructor that stuck it out for me the most. I am still suffering a bit from a personal issue that occurred prior to my arrival to West Point. It has impacted me in a very negative way, as I was tired in class because I had been sleeping less, having some emotional stability issues, etc. I passed as being an ordinary, tired cadet to all of my instructors but her and my psychology teacher, though he didn’t seem to know that I am often too proud to ask for help and probably wouldn’t consult him. She came to me and asked me what had happened. I came out of my shell a little bit and she gave me the resources I didn’t know I needed. Things are almost better now.

A long response to a short question, but I believe the length is well-justified.

I hope this helped.
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The length of the response is perfect. Thank you so much!! Everything you said just increased my hopes and I hope that you continue to feel better about whatever you went through.
 
I love your thread ... and hope my DS gets a waiver and attends an academy - and is lucky enough to have a wonderful person like you to guide him.

At CVW at Annapolis, the guys he stayed with said there are some very good people like you - and to find them.

Thank you.
 
A1Janitor said:
I love your thread ... and hope my DS gets a waiver and attends an academy - and is lucky enough to have a wonderful person like you to guide him.

At CVW at Annapolis, the guys he stayed with said there are some very good people like you - and to find them.

Thank you.
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Thanks so much—I’m flattered. If your DS decides to go to West Point, feel free to request my contact information and pass it along. Plebes at West Point are assigned Yuks—aka Team Leaders—to help them, but not everyone gets a “good one” and sometimes Plebes feel comfortable talking to certain upperclassmen. I’d feel honored to be that person for anyone here in my upcoming years at the academy.
 
Capt MJ said:
Nomak54 said:
When are you typically allowed to go off campus, and what is the city like there?
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While you are awaiting responses about passes, enjoy the description of the village of Highland Falls just outside the gate. It’s very walkable, 1.1 sq miles.

There are certainly nearby towns and cities, including the big one down river, but Highland Falls is the closest civilian center. It has a Main St. and several local favorite places to eat. I am there several times a year on business, and I enjoy the small town feel.

Different than Annapolis, Colorado Springs and Great Neck, but pretty in its own way.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Falls,_New_York
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We visit my son regularly at West Point, and in three years have enjoyed Highland Falls quite a bit. When my son was deciding which academy he wanted to attend, we visited both WP and Annapolis. From my (parent) perspective, when comparing the town's Annapolis won by a mile. (When comparing the actual academy grounds/bases/Garrison, WP won by a mile). However, what Highland Falls lacks in style in makes up for in substance. There are some great places to eat and hang. Nothing fancy though. Things are also pretty reasonably priced.

Keep in mind also that the West Point Garrison is enormous, and there is a lot within the gates. But when Cadets want something other than either mess hall food or something from Grant (restaurant in the Cadet area), they order delivery from one of the places in Highland Falls (they all deliver; even McDonalds).
 
Capt MJ said:
While you are awaiting responses about passes, enjoy the description of the village of Highland Falls just outside the gate. It’s very walkable, 1.1 sq miles.

There are certainly nearby towns and cities, including the big one down river, but Highland Falls is the closest civilian center. It has a Main St. and several local favorite places to eat. I am there several times a year on business, and I enjoy the small town feel.

Different than Annapolis, Colorado Springs and Great Neck, but pretty in its own way.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Falls,_New_York
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Don’t listen to her!! Highland Falls is just like Annapolis and Great Neck. But different. :)
 
How does Sandhurst work? Is it considered a sport, or do you have to play another sport on top of being in Sandhurst
 
2023_usma said:
How does Sandhurst work? Is it considered a sport, or do you have to play another sport on top of being in Sandhurst
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Sandhurst is considered a sport. For the first time they eliminated 2/3rds of the West Point teams at the October competition. Prior to that all companies participated in the April competition. My DD was in one of the eliminated teams so after the October competition she began another winter sport.
Each regiment (numbers, 1-4)/company (letters A-I) has a team so....9 teams per regiment (A-1 thru I-1, A-2 thru I-2, A-3 thru I-3 & A-4 thru I-4). Of those the top 3 in each Regiment moved on to the April competition. It didn’t matter how your team placed overall just how they placed in their regiment. For example my DD’s team placed in the top twelve overall but was 4th in the regiment thereby being eliminated. In addition to the company teams they also have the black and gold teams.
 
Can you list all of the clothing you get from WP and what occasions they’re each used for?
 
talltrees said:
Is it true that gpa is not a heavy factor in admissions?
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You should be striving to get the best GPA you can while applying, but mine was pretty low and some of the people I’ve told here were surprised I even got in with it. It’s not the be-all-end-all, but if you have a low GPA like I did, you’re gonna need a lot to compensate for it.
 
VJ.Chinook said:
Can you list all of the clothing you get from WP and what occasions they’re each used for?
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Funny, I actually get asked this a lot by cadet candidates when they come to visit. In my personal opinion, cadets have way too many outfits and hats. But, hey, that’s tradition.

Full dress: only the most formal things i.e. graduation if you’re a firstie, etc.
Over white: summer
Over grey: winter; winter pants
Can wear: white gloves, red sash
Hat: tarbucket
Can be under arms

India whites: very formal attire for the hot, hot summertime, such as a non-firstie at graduation or a cadre during beast in-processing
Always over white
Can wear: white gloves, red sash
Hat: white cap
Can be under arms

White over grey: business attire for the spring/fall/summer seasons
Always over grey; summer pants
Can wear: black jacket, black gloves, white gloves, red sash
Hat: white cap
Can be under arms

Dress grey: business attire for the winter season
Always over grey; winter pants
Can wear: black jacket, black gloves, white gloves, red sash
Hat: grey cap
Can be under arms

As for class: business casual attire for, well, class
Always over grey; summer pants
Can wear: black jacket, black gloves
Hat: grey cap

Army combat uniform: exactly what it sound sounds like.
Can wear: fleece, black gloves, gortex
Hat: patrol cap or fleece cap (winter)

Physical fitness uniform: very informal uniform for exercise or athletic practice
Can wear: jacket, pants, PT belt, black gloves
Hat: fleece cap, optional
 
GoArmy2022 said:
The title kind of says it all! I’m a Plebe who’s just finishing up her first semester. Have done Sandhurst and finished Mil Move and Boxing both as well as completed a semester of this place, save a few TEEs. If you have any questions, you can talk to me here.

Note: If you’re going to be class of 2023, feel free to shoot me a private message and I’ll give you my phone number to add. That way you can ask me a question anytime you want and can ask me for help next year, whether you have a bad team leader who isn’t giving you much of a hand or you just think I’m decent.
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Hello! Since WestPoint's football team plays other universities from other states, are the cadets allowed to travel with the team to watch the games at other states? I know at the Naval Academy, the cadets could travel to other states to watch football games of their school
 
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