Chemistry at USMA

THParent said:
Why would anyone want to test out of Chemistry? It's sodium fun !
I slapped my neon that one.
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I just finished watching all of Martin Shkreli's chemistry videos, and I am wondering if I will ever be able to use the information I absorbed. Haha.
 
Yes, chemistry is a required Plebe course, and yes you can validate higher in the chemistry stream than the freshman chem course. Validating does not absolve you of any required course; it just enables you to place out of the freshman version into one that more appropriately reflects your level of mastery. You will not be able to “skip” chemistry if that is what you are asking.
 
VelveteenR said:
Yes, chemistry is a required Plebe course, and yes you can validate higher in the chemistry stream than the freshman chem course. Validating does not absolve you of any required course; it just enables you to place out of the freshman version into one that more appropriately reflects your level of mastery. You will not be able to “skip” chemistry if that is what you are asking.
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I'm in advanced chemistry right now, do you know the difficulty of the validation test? Also, what's the benefit of validating? If I were to just take the freshman version, would I also have to take a higher level chemistry down the line, or is only one chemistry course required?
 
Actually, you will take numerous test during plebe summer. Some classes you get to test out of and others you get placed in the advanced class.

For Chemistry specifically, you can test into advanced Chem 1 but everyone will take the same Chem 2.

My DD had taken Chem 1 & 2 in college the year prior and she still had to take it again. Math is very similar. You can test into "Jedi Math" then fall in with everyone else.

You are more likely to test out of English or History but last year no one was allowed out of English.

Depending on what you want to major in, validating will help you take other classes later down the road. DD did validate plebe history so she is knocking out her foreign language as a plebe and can start her "major" classes earlier.

You do not get an "hour" off if you validate. The other piece of advice is to not test out of everything. School will be hard and getting an "A" in a class you are repeating is not the end of the world. Your class rank is very important.
 
USMA 1994 said:
Actually, you will take numerous test during plebe summer. Some classes you get to test out of and others you get placed in the advanced class.

For Chemistry specifically, you can test into advanced Chem 1 but everyone will take the same Chem 2.

My DD had taken Chem 1 & 2 in college the year prior and she still had to take it again. Math is very similar. You can test into "Jedi Math" then fall in with everyone else.

You are more likely to test out of English or History but last year no one was allowed out of English.

Depending on what you want to major in, validating will help you take other classes later down the road. DD did validate plebe history so she is knocking out her foreign language as a plebe and can start her "major" classes earlier.

You do not get an "hour" off if you validate. The other piece of advice is to not test out of everything. School will be hard and getting an "A" in a class you are repeating is not the end of the world. Your class rank is very important.
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Ok, I'm planning on majoring in International Relations, so I don't think testing into advanced chemistry is necessary, considering I'll certainly have enough on my my plate with my other classes and activities. Unless, does taking the advanced version of the class boost your class rank at all like it does in high school? I like chemistry so I'm not afraid of the advanced class, but don't want to give myself an extra unnecessary workload.
 
I was an academic "rock" during my time and told my daughter to not make anything harder than it needed to be. I ran into a classmate who I did the march back with this summer and he gave me a different perspective on these "advanced" classes. While you may do a little more work, they may actually be easier as they are taught different. My DD loved her advanced Chem class and is hating the pace of the regular Chem 2. She has said the same thing about Calculus, she is wishing she was in the advanced class. I think it all depends on how well prepared you are.
 
USMA 1994 said:
I was an academic "rock" during my time and told my daughter to not make anything harder than it needed to be. I ran into a classmate who I did the march back with this summer and he gave me a different perspective on these "advanced" classes. While you may do a little more work, they may actually be easier as they are taught different. My DD loved her advanced Chem class and is hating the pace of the regular Chem 2. She has said the same thing about Calculus, she is wishing she was in the advanced class. I think it all depends on how well prepared you are.
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Great info, I guess I'll take the validation test and if I get into the advanced class then great, if not it's certainly not the end of the world. Like your daughter, I can't stand when classes go at a crawling pace.
 
USMA 1994 said:
I was an academic "rock" during my time and told my daughter to not make anything harder than it needed to be. I ran into a classmate who I did the march back with this summer and he gave me a different perspective on these "advanced" classes. While you may do a little more work, they may actually be easier as they are taught different. My DD loved her advanced Chem class and is hating the pace of the regular Chem 2. She has said the same thing about Calculus, she is wishing she was in the advanced class. I think it all depends on how well prepared you are.
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My son's bestie at USMA said the same. He chose not to validate math is regretting his decision. 2021 son is in advanced physics 2 currently and there is no chem course on his academic course plan as of yet.
 
If I validate out of Plebe English classes, will they just throw me into a class with Yuks? Is it worth the attempt?
 
My son is in classes with Yuks in physics and German. His math track is advanced placement but with Plebes. He has enjoyed his classes.
 
Love4monsters said:
My son is in classes with Yuks in physics and German. His math track is advanced placement but with Plebes. He has enjoyed his classes.
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Thank you. Do you think it would be worth it to take English with Yuks (I am worried about getting some crap from the Yuks about being a Plebe in class with them), and is there any indication that they would allow it this upcoming year? I would love to take an English class that caters to my ability level.
 
GoArmy2022 said:
Love4monsters said:
My son is in classes with Yuks in physics and German. His math track is advanced placement but with Plebes. He has enjoyed his classes.
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Thank you. Do you think it would be worth it to take English with Yuks (I am worried about getting some crap from the Yuks about being a Plebe in class with them), and is there any indication that they would allow it this upcoming year? I would love to take an English class that caters to my ability level.
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DD is in her foreign language class with yucks and has had no issues.
 
You know yourself as a student and if you hate to go at "a crawling pace," then validate what you can and get on with it. Our son validated every class possible and it did not affect his GPA. Confirming what someone noted above, he found the advanced courses were no harder, and he was among more experienced classmates in classrooms where the instructor did not have to get Plebes all on the same page so, in that sense, those classes were taught a bit differently; they got down to business smoother and faster. He knew he was ready for those classes, and the validations have enabled him to double major. I wouldn't stress about this before you get to West Point. You will get excellent advice and an accurate assessment of your course readiness when you get there. Trust yourself. Trust the process. Worry about something else. You'll be fine.
 
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