To Validate or Not?

Betta613

New Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2019
Messages
2
Hi everyone - DS is a P2B and wondering if he wants to attempt to validate any courses. I'd love to hear from any midshipmen (current/past) or parents of current/past on the pros and cons. And, specifically, if you validate, does it benefit you at all in your plebe or youngster years, ie a lighter course load? thanks all
 
Definitely try to validate as many courses as possible. You achieve two things. One, you get invaluable time sitting in an air-conditioned room; don’t underestimate how good that feels in the middle of plebe summer. Two, you give yourself options; doesn’t necessarily mean you have to act on every validation you achieve.

Once you have your results, try to strike a balance. On one hand, you can create great flexibility in your schedule as the years progress. On the other hand, you can create great stress for yourself by taking even harder courses in plebe year.

An example: DD validated Calculus 1, Chemistry 1 and English 1. So fall semester of plebe year — arguably the most stressful semester of a midshipman’s career — she tackled a harder-than-normal course load. Calculus 2 was brutal. She leapfrogged Chemistry 2 and went to Modern Chemistry — a course for majors — which almost put her in a straitjacket. English 2 was no walk in the park either. It all worked out in the end — she now has space to take a minor — but it made plebe year even harder than it had to be.
 
She leapfrogged Chemistry 2 and went to Modern Chemistry — a course for majors — which almost put her in a straitjacket.

What do you mean leapfrogged? Also, isn't only 2 semesters of chem required regardless of level?
 
By leapfrogged, I mean she didn’t take Chemistry 2 but was instead assigned to Modern Chemistry. We’re guessing it’s due to her score on the validation test (perhaps combined with her AP score). By validating Chem 1 and surviving Modern Chem, she fulfilled her required two courses of Chemistry.
 
When do you decide what validation tests to take?
Some of the validation tests will be given to everyone such as English and Chemistry. However, to take some of the other validation tests, your high school scores need to prove that you can take the test. Such as 4 or 5 on the AP Physics 1 test would get you into the Physics 1 validation test during Plebe Summer.
 
Definitely try to validate as many courses as possible. You achieve two things. One, you get invaluable time sitting in an air-conditioned room; don’t underestimate how good that feels in the middle of plebe summer. Two, you give yourself options; doesn’t necessarily mean you have to act on every validation you achieve.

Once you have your results, try to strike a balance. On one hand, you can create great flexibility in your schedule as the years progress. On the other hand, you can create great stress for yourself by taking even harder courses in plebe year.

An example: DD validated Calculus 1, Chemistry 1 and English 1. So fall semester of plebe year — arguably the most stressful semester of a midshipman’s career — she tackled a harder-than-normal course load. Calculus 2 was brutal. She leapfrogged Chemistry 2 and went to Modern Chemistry — a course for majors — which almost put her in a straitjacket. English 2 was no walk in the park either. It all worked out in the end — she now has space to take a minor — but it made plebe year even harder than it had to be.

Spot on! DS validated quite a few courses as well, but made life quite miserable throughout ac year, but with that being said, he's now happy he pushed through and did it as his schedule will really open up after his youngster year.
 
Balance is important! The decision to validate or not can also be influenced on other demands for your Mids time. Varsity sports, for example. It’s a very personal choice.

As MidCakePa said, Plebe year is a difficult one....in many ways. Freshman year anywhere is such a transitional year.

Btw, there was a Mid in 22’s class that validated 19, if I’m remembering the number correctly. I think it’s a record. Wow.

This is a topic that has tons of discussion about it, if you want to delve into past threads through the search function.
 
Take the exams offered see where you fall. USNA has been doing this a long time. Sit down with your ac advisor if there are concerns about where it all comes out. They can help guide you and listen to your goals and ensure they line up.
 
I’ve posted that a couple of times here on SAF, a favorite - perfect antidote to rising angst levels among P2Bs. Glad you posted it.
 
Back
Top