I have a question, I’ve recently taken my math placement test and did terrible on it. Luckily, I am able to take it 2 more times before this upcoming Friday. Is calculus hard and when do I have to complete the requirement by (End of college or end of Sophomore year). I’ve also received a 4 year scholarship.
Herman_Snerd
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National scholarship - Navy option have to complete Calc I and Calc II by the end of your sophomore year. You have to complete Physics I and Physics II by the end of your junior year. Marine option national scholarship winners do not have these requirements.
Advanced math students who have AP credit please check on your requirements as I believe everyone with Navy option has some coursework to take even with those credits from HS.
Advanced math students who have AP credit please check on your requirements as I believe everyone with Navy option has some coursework to take even with those credits from HS.
NJROTC-CC
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If you have what it takes to win a four year scholarship, you can get through calculus and physics with hard work and tutoring even if you think you are not great at math. Many NROTC mids have difficulty with these subjects and most units have tutoring available at no cost. If you want to get through it they will help you get through it.
Herman_Snerd
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@Vasap - is calculus hard? To some - very. To some, it looks like a foreign language they cannot speak. You asked so I'll keep it real with you on your concern here. There are indeed national scholarship winners who scrub out of their scholarship for many reasons, including some Navy-option scholarship participants who bottom line do not pass these 4 courses (2 calc, 2 physics) in the timeframes despite best efforts - multiple attempts - it happens. Calc II for someone struggling in Math is tough. My DS has classmates who are otherwise rock stars in the program and yet are scrubbing out as these deadlines approach. The pressure they are under is intense. It's sad. Free advice - I would try to get through at least Calc I and Physics I before day one of your second year including a summer retake if needed. Because if you cannot say get this foundation under your belt by then, you can take a free year on scholarship and then walk/ not owe moneys back. Or you can keep trying but know if you fall short after that date you may owe the entire scholarship back.
I agree as another poster above notes there is support to get through it and that many find this challenging but get through it/ overcome it. Tutors, find out which professors may have the best results and helped other people to pass, etc. Also, you can take these courses at any college also with an NROTC program over the summers if you need to isolate your focus say from your hometown. You can also take these courses in lighter course loads otherwise to ensure you time to get through them.
Constructive encouragement and pep is great but at the end of the day you should go in eyes-open to the reality that this is hard, and the program cannot only do so much to help you pass. *Well, unless you go USMA - there all rules flew out the window apparently - fyi last year, 51+ West Pointers, mostly plebes, almost got away with cheating their way through Calc I last year before getting caught and bringing disgrace to that program and themselves that will go into the annals of history as a tarnished legacy. Many will repeat their plebe year if they continue. And somehow most still have the option to graduate - so much for a code of honor standard. But I digress.
You either will climb these 4 hills of calc and physics, or you will not. And some great people/ talented, smart, and otherwise nearly perfect people - cannot or do not. Take the steps you need and be resolved to get through it. These are but 4 of the many check-gates you have to get through to make it to commission and serve as an officer. As you'll see this summer, some of your fellow national scholarship winners won't even make it through NSI. Others won't activate their scholarship when they can't meet the physical standards. The group will shrink until commission, unfortunately.
Best of luck.
I agree as another poster above notes there is support to get through it and that many find this challenging but get through it/ overcome it. Tutors, find out which professors may have the best results and helped other people to pass, etc. Also, you can take these courses at any college also with an NROTC program over the summers if you need to isolate your focus say from your hometown. You can also take these courses in lighter course loads otherwise to ensure you time to get through them.
Constructive encouragement and pep is great but at the end of the day you should go in eyes-open to the reality that this is hard, and the program cannot only do so much to help you pass. *Well, unless you go USMA - there all rules flew out the window apparently - fyi last year, 51+ West Pointers, mostly plebes, almost got away with cheating their way through Calc I last year before getting caught and bringing disgrace to that program and themselves that will go into the annals of history as a tarnished legacy. Many will repeat their plebe year if they continue. And somehow most still have the option to graduate - so much for a code of honor standard. But I digress.
You either will climb these 4 hills of calc and physics, or you will not. And some great people/ talented, smart, and otherwise nearly perfect people - cannot or do not. Take the steps you need and be resolved to get through it. These are but 4 of the many check-gates you have to get through to make it to commission and serve as an officer. As you'll see this summer, some of your fellow national scholarship winners won't even make it through NSI. Others won't activate their scholarship when they can't meet the physical standards. The group will shrink until commission, unfortunately.
Best of luck.
jaglvr
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Do you have a community college that you can take them at and your college will accept? Not sure how the scholarship works, but most colleges will accept transfer credit if you earn a C. The credit transfers, but the it will not affect your GPA. My DD is doing that with Chem 1 & 2 this summer because she needs them for her major but hates the courses (she dreaded every day in HS) so the class will count, but won't affect her GPA and it'll be done. She has a mantra of "I only need a C, I only need a C". And trust me, she's a solid A student.
Herman_Snerd
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Hi @jaglvr - I thought of that too and it's definitely a good thought to do that, but unfortunately, doing so is not an option. Per Navy regs, for National Scholarship - NO (Navy Option) participants - these 4 courses must be taken at a college that also has an NROTC program at that school. Said another way, the college may accept the credits, but the Navy will not. I don't believe there are any community colleges that also have NROTC programs -I see no matches in the official directory
https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Academic-Addresses/
I received the 4 yr scholarship and tested out of Calc 1 with AP credit, however, in order for NROTC to accept it, you are required to take another upper level math class such as Calc 3 or Diff Eq. If you're a stem major then that is usually not a problem. Also some NROTC's have a cross town enrollment to a community college, meaning you can take that course there since it is still attached to your unit. Also, don't stress too much about it. NROTC requires studying hours in Calc and Physics to ensure you are receiving help in those tough courses. My best advice is do not take Calculus 2 and Physics 1 in the same semester if your degree does not require it. Space it out so you can focus on one at a time if you have trouble in stem classes.
Herman_Snerd
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Great info!
May I ask which community colleges specifically this might apply to for that NROTC cross-town affiliation? I didn’t see any when I searched but yes great way to get this tackled if that’s an option. I thought these four coursss had to be taken directly at the school with the detachment itself. Wow is this helpful for those concerned and a great tip to get through these hurdles. Again, awesome! Thanks.
learningNavymom
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Oh my goodness, yes, college calculus is hard for those not naturally gifted.
Even if you've taken AP Calc in high school, college calculus is on another level . . .
As recommended above, tackle it early (in case you need to retake) and put in place all the supports (tutoring, review sessions, tutoring, online videos, practice, practice, practice). Good luck!
My midshipman barely passed (two Ds). He is now a commissioned officer.
Even if you've taken AP Calc in high school, college calculus is on another level . . .
As recommended above, tackle it early (in case you need to retake) and put in place all the supports (tutoring, review sessions, tutoring, online videos, practice, practice, practice). Good luck!
My midshipman barely passed (two Ds). He is now a commissioned officer.
If you go to this link and scroll down and click "show all", you can see all NROTC schools and their cross town affiliate.
Thank you!
That is true.
Thank you!
I believe I do, since one of our other units is a community college.
Definitely, I’m taking calc 1/ 2 my Freshman year and Physics 1/ 2 will be done during my Sophomore year.
Thank you so much, I was placed in Calc 1/2 for my Freshman year.
There is a list that I got when I was a 4/C. I've attached it here. The staff at each unit also have access to this list and should hand it out to MIDN if they ask.
FastFood44
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I sympathize greatly; as a tier 3 major I struggled IMMENSELY in Calc 1 and 2. My advice; buckle down, go to a school tutor if it is offered through the school or your unit, and stay focused on the prize. During the two semesters where I had to take calc 1 and 2, I dropped two other extra circulars and dedicated much more time to those 2 classes than I have ever dedicated to a class since then. It sucked, and despite getting tutored 3 times a week, I only got a C- in both. It sucks, and you should not strive to "just pass" but I know two other MIDN who got a D and called it a day. With that said... make sure your other classes that semester have good grades so you stay above the 2.5
Despite setbacks in the 4 required STEM courses, I managed to graduate cum laude and get into a competitive Navy program. Stay focused and work hard, and you'll be sure to get through it!
Despite setbacks in the 4 required STEM courses, I managed to graduate cum laude and get into a competitive Navy program. Stay focused and work hard, and you'll be sure to get through it!
Here is a suggestion...while you may not be able to transfer the credit for Navy purposes, your university may accept it anyway. You take a course this summer at community college to get the foundation under your belt then take it again at your university. Many students have gone that route and been successful to continue onward. Many pre-med students do the same thing for Organic Chem- they will take it over the summer not intending to transfer the grade or credit, just so they can boost their gpa and take it at their own school. Better to take it now when you have less distractions. Good luck to you!