Plebe at USMA

[texas05]

Assuming you're from Texas given your username, how bad has it been adjusting to the NY weather?

Not too difficult. The heat during the summer was kind of similar surprisingly (maybe because you wear ACUs a lot here) but now the winter is a bit chilly. I don't mind it much, I just kind of deal with it. They give us warmer clothes so I would worry about it to much.

Watch out for prickly heat though, look it up online, it is a pain if you let your hygiene go south.

Best of luck!

 

[Padre101]

That is an excellent question. Personally I did not manage to what we call validate many classes. I had some courses that would have worked at Texas schools but definitely not here. My roommate on the other hand validated at least 3 classes and is doing well. I truly think that USMA is pretty good about putting you in classes that fit you well, permitting you speak with Academic Counselors here who guide you the right way. I know that languages in college move 10 times faster than high school and therefore I would not bomb the tests, but show what you know. Most people at USMA rise to the challenges whether or not they want to. All classes are hard here and maybe having that one extra assignment may not be that big of a deal. Bottom line, just show what you know and let them place you where you fit best.

As for summer and leadership opportunities, yes it is determined partially by your academics, but military and physical grades also factor in to this. Plus I think after one semester at USMA you will have almost everything figured out for studying. My first semester here has been rough but I think I've figured it out and now know how to precede forward. I should also point out that there are so many opportunities to do schools or travel, you can definitely find something, just have to apply.

Hope this helps!

Thanks!

 

[texas05]

Do you have a daily workout regimen you would recommend to max out on PT scores? I'd like to be head and shoulders above my peers when (if) I get to beast/for academy life thereafter.

Murphy's workout is a good one to do. Just add in some sit ups to make sure you hits those abs. Running in general is good to improve your 2 mile, build up to a faster time on longer distances and run intervals to truly get that speed in. Just going out and running 2 miles helps a lot too. Just be sure to time yourself.

In addition, just doing push ups whenever you can works well. Like will watching TV or playing a video game. Stop every time there is a commercial and knock out like 25-30, it adds up.

Best of luck!

 

[jl123]

No disconnect in analysis. The placement exam we use is vetted and validated, and it does a good job (as judged by data) predicting which math courses students are ready for. Final exams in December are not the same assessment types at all.

A placement exam exam that does not test the relevant skills and material of the courses under consideration is neither vetted nor validated, at least not properly. In the case cited, it failed those 52 students.

USMA placement exams are quite thorough, yet no cadet is placed in Jedi Math. Cadets are considered for Jedi Math only after volunteering for and successfully completing a validation exam in addition to the required placement exam.

One of the great benefits of USMA is that cadets develop the ability to think independently and take responsibility for themselves. They learn to evaluate all input, determine what is relevant, and decide on a best course of action. A first step in this process is making a mature decision during course selection, including whether or not a placement exam is accurate.

 

[LongAgoPlebe]

A placement exam exam that does not test the relevant skills and material of the courses under consideration is neither vetted nor validated, at least not properly. In the case cited, it failed those 52 students.

USMA placement exams are quite thorough, yet no cadet is placed in Jedi Math. Cadets are considered for Jedi Math only after volunteering for and successfully completing a validation exam in addition to the required placement exam.

One of the great benefits of USMA is that cadets develop the ability to think independently and take responsibility for themselves. They learn to evaluate all input, determine what is relevant, and decide on a best course of action. A first step in this process is making a mature decision during course selection, including whether or not a placement exam is accurate.

I love how non-experts think they're experts - especially when they're unaware that they're assuming the placement exam is the ONLY predictor of student success - especially when my original quoted post was all about the other factors that can and do influence student success. Thank you for indirectly supporting the original point, and I'll be sure to put you in touch with the 3 PhD psychometricians whose job it is to measure how people learn.

My only purpose is to provide evidence- and data-driven advice for young people embarking on their college experience. I'm happy to respond to questions about methods, as any scientist should be, but I just submitted my grades today and frankly I'm toast for the semester. Conclusions based on incorrect and untested assumptions just annoy me this time of year, especially since I spend fall semester with mostly-freshmen who do this as a matter of being young and inexperienced. Peace out, all.