Christmas break is over. Safely back to the the academy

[Christcorp]

Yes, he's in anatomy this semester. He's really looking forward to it. He thinks he made the right decision with holding off on medical and going with Pilot. He likes the idea of possibly being a "Flight Surgeon" some day. He really wants to fly, but has always wanted to go to medical school too. Most people outside of the academies would kill for having such options. It's nice when our cadets realize the true opportunities that they actually have, and don't take their education there for granted.

He has most of his instructors on board with any recommendations needed for grad school. Academically, he feels he is in good shape. His gpa and OPA are quite good. So hopefully he'll be able to get a scholarship/fellowship, and the academy will let him get his graduate school accomplished directly out of the academy.

On a side note, maybe you or raimius can shed a little light on the "Altered" OPA I've heard about. The way my son explained it to me, it's sort of like "Weighting" in high school. They look at the classes you've taken and gpa vs others and their classes. e.g. orgo, anatomy, etc... vs business. Also; a different scoring if you held higher group/wing positions vs element leader. And most importantly; what significance does your GPA/OPA have at the academy, or POST academy? I understand the importance of the gpa for going for grad/phd programs. But the OPA; where does that affect your life/career. Thanks. Mike....

 

[fencersmother]

CC: your talk of "weighting" reminded me of why one of my sons opted out of the Physics major. Said son, "Mom! I love Physics, but I really want to have a life, ya know?" haha

 

[Christcorp]

CC: your talk of "weighting" reminded me of why one of my sons opted out of the Physics major. Said son, "Mom! I love Physics, but I really want to have a life, ya know?" haha

I know where you're coming from. My son really enjoyed playing football for the falcons his first year. But he didn't have time; or wasn't allowed to do non-academy located activities. E.g. Missing a week of christmas break to go to a bowl game; coach not letting him ski, snowboard, or parachute. So while he definitely misses "The Team", he says he actually doesn't miss "Football". He goes boarding almost every weekend; more time to take care of homework/studying; etc... His first year at the academy, he finished both semesters with a 4.0gpa. That's with playing football, training, etc... But he said that he had no life at all. "Unless he wanted to sacrifice a little on his grades". And that's something "HE" refuses to do. He never had anything lower than a 4.0 in high school, and he wants to continue that in all his academics. He and I believe it was for the best that football is behind him. He no longer holds a 4.0, "He got a few A- in some classes"; but he's holding his own and has plenty of free time for personal activities. And with him wanting to go to grad school, it's important that he does well academically. Not sure he'd be where he is today if he was still playing football.

 

[hornetguy]

CC-
The only time the OPA weight will/may matter (at least for your DS) is if he attempts to get ENJJPT. That combined with his Form 94 will be used to determine if he gets it. But, don't rely on that as a good indicator....I had the first or second highest OPA in my squad but was denied ENJJPT despite three others (2 with lower OPAs, one was the Wing King and the other was just a WOB) in the squad getting it. OPA and even a good Frm 94 weren't enough. The OPA will be higher, generally, with group/wing positions because people generally get higher MPAs in those positions (but that actually changed and wasn't the case starting the semester I was on group due to the new MPA system).

Honestly, it is just a case of doing your best and hoping for the best! Without football, I doubt he'll keep getting 4.0 GPAs since getting an A in P.E. is damn near impossible in the classes vs. getting the auto-A from being an IC.

 

[Christcorp]

Honestly, it is just a case of doing your best and hoping for the best! Without football, I doubt he'll keep getting 4.0 GPAs since getting an A in P.E. is damn near impossible in the classes vs. getting the auto-A from being an IC.

So true. After leaving football/IC, the "AUTO-A" definitely disappeared. He still wouldn't have had a 4.0 because he did get a couple of A- in some classes. But he still is always on the Dean's list and Commandant's list. Athletic Director's list is hit and miss. He's not too worried about that. His current gpa/opa are still pretty impressive. "At least in my opinion; but then again, I'm his dad".

I'm sure he'd love to do his UPT with ENJJPT. Not sure how much he's looking into that. I think his main goal right now is to see if he can get Grad School, and have his UPT put on hold for that 2 year period. That would be great. Then when he's an O-3/O-4, he doesn't have to deal with night classes or whatever trying to get his master's done. Oh well. Here's to hoping that he gets whatever he wants out of it. thanks. mike...