My re-applicant DS begins classes this coming week at a well respected, very solid school (Patriot League). We have seen the advice that it is best to mirror to the extent practicable, the plebe curriculum. DS is taking a full load, including calculus, an American politics class, military science as part of the ROTC program (army--only one that's offered at that school), and an Intro to Engineering course, which appears to me to be a kind of survey course that all beginning engineers are required to take, and that gives a flavor for the different disciplines within engineering. It appears to me to be more than a "rocks for jocks" type course, but I can't tell how much of a challenge it really presents. DS is not in the Engineering program, but told his advisor that he was considering it and the advisor steered him to that course. DS is not in a chemistry course (He did take it in HS and did fine). Is not taking a chemistry course first semester in these circumstances going to put him at a disadvantage? Thanks for your thoughts.
Freshman Curriculum for Reapplicants
- Thread starter fivestar
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There is no way to tell about the chemistry. There’s a reason USNA chemistry is called a “plebe-killer,” and presumably the majority of incoming plebes did just fine or more than fine in HS Chem. There are enough plebes who fail Chem and Calc every year to fill summer school classes for re-takes. But - your DS will have a year to develop more maturity, handle college classes and independence, show continuing commitment to a military commission by doing AROTC, plus the opportunity to knock it out of the park in other classes.
The very first bullet in the below link specifically recommends calculus, chemistry, English, history. I see calculus in your above list. I would not stray far from their recommendations. Down the road, he will complete against others, including other re-applicants, who will have taken those 4 college classes.
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Apply/Previous-Candidates-and-College-Candidates.php
As always, USNA will look at the totality of the application, and it’s not all about the academics. Strong performance in the 4 recommended courses above correlates to USNA having confidence in your DS’ ability to handle the equivalent courseload. If he gets into USNA, takes the validation tests over the summer, manages to validate a course because of his civilian college work, and that creates room in his academic matrix down the road.
The very first bullet in the below link specifically recommends calculus, chemistry, English, history. I see calculus in your above list. I would not stray far from their recommendations. Down the road, he will complete against others, including other re-applicants, who will have taken those 4 college classes.
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Apply/Previous-Candidates-and-College-Candidates.php
As always, USNA will look at the totality of the application, and it’s not all about the academics. Strong performance in the 4 recommended courses above correlates to USNA having confidence in your DS’ ability to handle the equivalent courseload. If he gets into USNA, takes the validation tests over the summer, manages to validate a course because of his civilian college work, and that creates room in his academic matrix down the road.
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Capt MJ, thanks for the reply. I think he is about as close as he can get, given the freshman requirements of the school, other than the chemistry. I am not sure if he is able to get into the class now if he "had" to (ie to optimize his USNA app). I gather you are saying that not taking it doesn't help, although may not be fatal if he does very well in other areas.
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There is no way of knowing, as I said in my first comment, so time to march forward and excel on all fronts.
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usna1985
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You say a "full load" but I only see about 14 credit hours (assuming Intro to Engineering and calc are both 4 hour courses). That's low (unless there's another class you didn't mention). Plebes take 16-17 hours a semester plus have all the other plebe "stuff."
Since you asked our opinion, your DS's courseload doesn't appear to be as challenging as those many reapplicants will have. There is no chem, no physics (as an alternative to chem), no English and no history. I would say it is imperative he gets As in virtually all of his courses, especially calc. If the engineering class is rigorous (lots of math), that could help compensate for the other plebe courses that he isn't taking. Also, the American Politics course should have a strong written component.
The above said, your DS also needs to proceed with courses that will help him should he not be accepted to USNA. If these courses are things that interest him and are useful in his likely major, then that is a positive.
Since you asked our opinion, your DS's courseload doesn't appear to be as challenging as those many reapplicants will have. There is no chem, no physics (as an alternative to chem), no English and no history. I would say it is imperative he gets As in virtually all of his courses, especially calc. If the engineering class is rigorous (lots of math), that could help compensate for the other plebe courses that he isn't taking. Also, the American Politics course should have a strong written component.
The above said, your DS also needs to proceed with courses that will help him should he not be accepted to USNA. If these courses are things that interest him and are useful in his likely major, then that is a positive.