Validating Calculus

V

VP.28

USNA '28
Joined
Sep 15, 2022
Messages
40
Hello all!

Looking at the course validation options, I noticed that they give tests over plebe summer all the way to Calculus 3. It looks like my 4 in BC (4 AB sub score too) will validate me out of Calc I and Calc II. For those who do validate Calc 3, will you be placed in Math IV plebe year? Or does this mean a year without any math courses? I may have a shot at this too, since I took Multi Var this year (better try than not to try)…

Thanks!
 
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I don’t think that testing out of Vector Calc 3 is an option? Maybe I am wrong

They do a lot with Parametric vector analysis … with a Navy flavor?
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IIRC it depends on what you want to major in. If STEM probably diffEQs. Maybe stats or data science if majoring in a social science or humanity.
 
Depends on what you work out with your academic advisor. Doesn't need to be replaced with a math class, just something that make sense with your matrix.

Validate as much as you can. Flexibility is a good thing.
 
Also, college math (or any class) hits differently than HS math. Do your best on the placement exams, and then you and your advisor will figure out the next steps.
 
There's a balancing act here. Validating some will create flexibility in your schedule a couple years later. Validating too many might make the subsequent STEM courses overly challenging. While the material may seem similar, the pace in college picks up significantly. Plus you'll have other obligations. So make your validation choices carefully.

Case in point: DD took AP Calc as a sophomore abd Multivariate as a junior before running out of high-school math classes. She validated a couple Calcs and Chems at USNA (English too, I believe) but was glad she didn't validate beyond that. It was the right balance.
 
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You can refuse the validation and take the course later, just work with your academic advisor.

You don't have to take STEM courses to replace the empty space. It doesn't have to be a 1 for 1 swap for courses by department. Your math validations can be replaced with HUM/SS electives, courses in your major, or free electives in your major.

A lot of group 2 and group 3 majors are done with math department courses after Calc III. It's not like they make you take DIffEqs even though it's not normally in the matrix just because you validated calculus.

There's no sliding scale of slotting in the "next course in the sequence." It just has to make sense within your matrix.

There are some Group 1 majors that will have you at 21/22 credits some semesters *unless* you have validation. In those cases you really do want some validation in your pocket so you don't have to take summer school or suffer a rough semester.
 
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nuensis said:
You can refuse the validation and take the course later, just work with your academic advisor.

You don't have to take STEM courses to replace the empty space. It doesn't have to be a 1 for 1 swap for courses by department. Your math validations can be replaced with HUM/SS electives, courses in your major, or free electives in your major.

A lot of group 2 and group 3 majors are done with math department courses after Calc III. It's not like they make you take DIffEqs even though it's not normally in the matrix just because you validated calculus.

There's no sliding scale of slotting in the "next course in the sequence." It just has to make sense within your matrix.

There are some Group 1 majors that will have you at 21/22 credits some semesters *unless* you have validation. In those cases you really do want some validation in your pocket so you don't have to take summer school or suffer a rough semester.
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DS is a "group 3" major that validated some Calc classes. After Calc 3 he needed one more "math" class (Stats?) and intended to complete it during youngster year. However his schedule did not align and the Stats class was full so advisor advised him to take Diffey-Q. He smartly declined and waited a semester to take the Stats class.
 
LT360 said:
DS is a "group 3" major that validated some Calc classes. After Calc 3 he needed one more "math" class (Stats?) and intended to complete it during youngster year. However his schedule did not align and the Stats class was full so advisor advised him to take Diffey-Q. He smartly declined and waited a semester to take the Stats class.
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I'm sure there's someone out there that would enjoy taking differential equations for funsies.
 
My kid ....... he's a Math major. I wouldn't say he's taking them for "fun," but he knows he's gotta take them and is hard charging into them.
 
A1Janitor said:
lol my son would rather take differential equations over naval history any day.
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I've got one of those as well, with the grade in that class to reflect it.

To the OP, my Mid validated everything they could and doesn't regret it. While major course availability prevented them from going abroad 2/C year, it's opened up other opportunities. See you're number 27 on the appointment list. DM me with your email and I'll put you in touch if you have additional questions. Congrats!
 
nuensis said:
I'm sure there's someone out there that would enjoy taking differential equations for funsies.
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That would be our son. He validated every subject possible at West Point, placed into Jedi Math, earned an A+, and kept going. If you’ve ever seen Sean Murphy in a tech trance in The Good Doctor, our son thinks about math and solves problems that way, always has. Though he has never been diagnosed as autistic, one of his mentors remarked that the Army would be loathe to lose his “brand of weapons-grade autism.”

All the validations opened up his schedule for a specific concentration and an independent study later on. He skipped any semesters abroad figuring the Big Army would gift him with indentured travel later.
 
A1Janitor said:
lol my son would rather take differential equations over naval history any day.
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My DS is quite the opposite...give the boy a 40 page research paper on the strategies of the combined naval forces of the US, Sweden and Sicily during the Barbary Pirate Wars and he will be happy.
 
LT360 said:
DS is a "group 3" major that validated some Calc classes. After Calc 3 he needed one more "math" class (Stats?) and intended to complete it during youngster year. However his schedule did not align and the Stats class was full so advisor advised him to take Diffey-Q. He smartly declined and waited a semester to take the Stats class.
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I think he received excellent advice. Diffy-Q, according to my history major son, now at Nuc power school, was advised to take Diffy-Q to make it more likely he could choose Subs, even if, as a youngster who validated Calc1&2 he had no intention of going subs. They suggested to keep his options open because he might change his mind after summer trainings. A year later, after a sub cruise, he early selected subs. I suppose that if you really were concerned of not getting sub drafted, you might think differently.
 
LT360 said:
My DS is quite the opposite...give the boy a 40 page research paper on the strategies of the combined naval forces of the US, Sweden and Sicily during the Barbary Pirate Wars and he will be happy.
Click to expand...
mine is the same - history major and LOVES every single class she is taking in her major!!! sent a pic tonight of book she is reading for a history class and said it is the best ever - looked boring to me but she loves reading and writing!!!
 
ders_dad said:
I think he received excellent advice. Diffy-Q, according to my history major son, now at Nuc power school, was advised to take Diffy-Q to make it more likely he could choose Subs, even if, as a youngster who validated Calc1&2 he had no intention of going subs. They suggested to keep his options open because he might change his mind after summer trainings. A year later, after a sub cruise, he early selected subs. I suppose that if you really were concerned of not getting sub drafted, you might think differently.
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mine is thinking the same thing - loved her sub cruise last summer......how is your son doing in Nuc power school?
 
USNAhopeful2025 said:
mine is thinking the same thing - loved her sub cruise last summer......how is your son doing in Nuc power school?
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Hah! The first 3 months, he claimed power school was ridiculously easy (compared to the hype) and he didn’t have to put in any extra study time. Then…EE and there was a quick reevaluation of nights and weekends. He confirms it comes at you so fast and “drinking from a firehose” is spot on.
 
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