Didn't Get It.

[Jcleppe]

Do you realize how hard West Point is?

I didn't say that "it won't prepare" someone for success at West Point. I just said that it doesn't mean that a 3.4 in a junior military college will mean a 3.4 at West Point.

I don't mean to take this thread off topic too much but I have a question maybe you could help me with.

In regard to your comment "Do you realize how hard West Point is".

Lets just say that 2 students, one at WP and one at, well, any other school take the same level Calculus class. What makes one harder then the other, is it the speed in which they cover the material, does one school grade harder then the other, do they use different course material? I can understand that each school may have different class requirements over a 4 year period that would result in a harder overall academic process, but what about the individual class itself.

I guess what I am asking is this, if a student takes classes that are equal to what a WP cadet would take their first year, what would make one harder then the other. I realize that at WP the cadet would have added duties and stress form being a plebe that would add to the difficulty but I'm just talking about the classes themselves.

Thanks for your input.

 

[globalview2]

Personally, I think someone who gets a 3.3-3.4 at these types of schools has the tools to be ready for West Point, maybe not 4.0 but they can certainly succeed. Also I stated 3.3 was top half at West Point, I know it is hard, but it is not impossible and so hard that you have to be a genius to do well. Work hard and I believe you will be fine, again maybe not 4.0 but you will succeed.

 

[scoutpilot]

I don't mean to take this thread off topic too much but I have a question maybe you could help me with.

In regard to your comment "Do you realize how hard West Point is".

Lets just say that 2 students, one at WP and one at, well, any other school take the same level Calculus class. What makes one harder then the other, is it the speed in which they cover the material, does one school grade harder then the other, do they use different course material? I can understand that each school may have different class requirements over a 4 year period that would result in a harder overall academic process, but what about the individual class itself.

I guess what I am asking is this, if a student takes classes that are equal to what a WP cadet would take their first year, what would make one harder then the other. I realize that at WP the cadet would have added duties and stress form being a plebe that would add to the difficulty but I'm just talking about the classes themselves.

Thanks for your input.

1. The Thayer Method. You are expected to teach yourself the material prior to class, and then the classroom instruction verifies your learning. It's not like high school or other college curriculums where you're taught the material in the class by your professor.

2. The class load. The class load at WP is very heavy. You're talking about plebes carrying 18 or 20 credit hours a semester. That can be very hard to replicate at other schools.

If you're talking about learning one class in a vacuum, that class could and might be very similar to WP. If you're talking about taking the class at USMA or another college, the environment plays a huge role.

 

[GoArmyBeatNavy]

1. The Thayer Method. You are expected to teach yourself the material prior to class, and then the classroom instruction verifies your learning. It's not like high school or other college curriculums where you're taught the material in the class by your professor.

2. The class load. The class load at WP is very heavy. You're talking about plebes carrying 18 or 20 credit hours a semester. That can be very hard to replicate at other schools.

If you're talking about learning one class in a vacuum, that class could and might be very similar to WP. If you're talking about taking the class at USMA or another college, the environment plays a huge role.

Agree completely.

I didn't say, "Do you realize how hard a West Point Calculus Class is?"
I said, "Do you realize how hard West Point is?" All the extra stuff really, really matters.

While I did not go to a junior military college, I did go to a big state school before going to West Point. The lack of time has a major effect.

I am not knocking the prep programs at all and I have known many Cadets who were successful after completing them. I haven't gone through a Marion or NMMI or Valley Forge and cannot speak to them.

I just know how easy Grad School was compared to West Point. Others, from civilian undergraduate programs, struggled in grad school.

Just to keep in mind.

 

[USMA - I'm on my way!]

So how many (rough estimate) of the re-applicants actually make it into any given class on average? I'm sure there has to be some sort of quota - to my understanding about 1/3 of each incoming class are re-applicants. Any clarification to back this up?

 

[Jcleppe]

Agree completely.

I didn't say, "Do you realize how hard a West Point Calculus Class is?"
I said, "Do you realize how hard West Point is?" All the extra stuff really, really matters.

While I did not go to a junior military college, I did go to a big state school before going to West Point. The lack of time has a major effect.

I am not knocking the prep programs at all and I have known many Cadets who were successful after completing them. I haven't gone through a Marion or NMMI or Valley Forge and cannot speak to them.

I just know how easy Grad School was compared to West Point. Others, from civilian undergraduate programs, struggled in grad school.

Just to keep in mind.

Thanks, that explains your point very well.

 

[Falcon74]

I just know how easy Grad School was compared to West Point. Others, from civilian undergraduate programs, struggled in grad school.
Just to keep in mind.

Ditto...I never earned a 4.0 until I went to a civilian school (Purdue University) for an engineering graduate degree after graduating from USAFA. I also had a lot of spare time on my hands due to the relatively low academic loads I observed at the civilian school.

 

[debcst]

USMA, I have seen that one third figure too, but I believe it refers to the portion of each class that is not coming directly from high school- that would include reapplicants but also prior service and all of those in the various prep programs (these are reapplicants too but I believe on a "fast track" to get into WP- kind of pre-selected).

 

[buff81]

debcst is correct

For the class of 2015 - 28% did not come directly from high school.
This includes USMAPS, CP, Army or college.
Some are re-apps and some are not.

I have not heard a number of those just from re-apps although I would think that a high % of that 28% are re-apps.

 

[a2roxas28]

I'm reapplying for the third time around this year. What class should I take as a second year college student?