Questions Thread

[TheHarderRight]

Out of curiosity, what is the excused absence class policy at West Point?
Under what circumstances are you required/admitted to miss class, and what happens from there? How hard is it to get caught up on the work once you've missed it?

I'd expect things like athletic competition to be on the list of reasons to not be in class. Will there ever be things that might be specific to your company/reg that would mean that you're not in class while other cadets are?

What about illness? Do you have to be deathly sick to miss a class? Who makes the distinction between healthy and too sick to go to class? It's not like you have your parents around to vouch for you when your school comes calling, like in high school.

 

[America's Finest]

Is that for every reason AF, ie Say you fail out, become disabled somehow,honor code violation, or just choose to separate?

Also, what if you fail out, become disabled, or violated honor code cow or firstie year? Would you still need to serve your commitment in all of these circumstances?

Yes, if you leave before Cow year for any reason then nothing will happen as far as paying back the academy.

I believe it is up to the discretion of the academy what happens if you leave after Cow year. They are pretty lenient if its for a medical reasons and you wouldn't have to pay back and in some cases you might even be allowed to graduate. If you are separated for academic reasons or honor then you would have to pay back. Sometimes they may offer service as a method of paying back but I don't know how common that is.

 

[vampsoul]

Out of curiosity, what is the excused absence class policy at West Point?
Under what circumstances are you required/admitted to miss class, and what happens from there? How hard is it to get caught up on the work once you've missed it?

I'd expect things like athletic competition to be on the list of reasons to not be in class. Will there ever be things that might be specific to your company/reg that would mean that you're not in class while other cadets are?

What about illness? Do you have to be deathly sick to miss a class? Who makes the distinction between healthy and too sick to go to class? It's not like you have your parents around to vouch for you when your school comes calling, like in high school.

When you are late to or miss a class it gets sent to your chain of command. At the end of the week you CoC will ask you why you were late/missed. They will decide if your excuse is valid. Valid excuses included doctor appointments, trip sections, and being on quarters. Being on quarters is when you think you are ill so you go to sick call in the morning. If the health clinic decides you are in fact to ill to go to class you will be put on quarters (i.e. authorized to remain in your room all day).

 

[TheHarderRight]

When you are late to or miss a class it gets sent to your chain of command. At the end of the week you CoC will ask you why you were late/missed. They will decide if your excuse is valid. Valid excuses included doctor appointments, trip sections, and being on quarters. Being on quarters is when you think you are ill so you go to sick call in the morning. If the health clinic decides you are in fact to ill to go to class you will be put on quarters (i.e. authorized to remain in your room all day).

How strict is the health clinic about putting cadets on quarters? What typically qualifies?

 

[Chockstock]

How strict is the health clinic about putting cadets on quarters? What typically qualifies?

I have been told that you have to be half-dead to get quarters, but its not true - as long as you feel genuinely unwell to go to class and look like you can't, they'll grant you quarters. Not saying its a way to skip - this is from what I've observed of my friends. I've never been on quarters myself, but I would definitely encourage you to do your best not to get sick. Missing class can be detrimental and you'll have to work twice as hard to catch up, unless you worked ahead. Some classes also have policies that automatically fail you if you miss a certain number of classes, regardless of your grade in it. If you do get quarters, just remember to email all your teachers why you'll be absent!

 

[armyman736]

I know I am probably just trying to get my hopes up for nothing, but does West Point ever accept a person that applied for SLS and was denied acceptance at first?

 

[AKH]

I know I am probably just trying to get my hopes up for nothing, but does West Point ever accept a person that applied for SLS and was denied acceptance at first?

YES of course West Point accepts those who may have been denied from SLS at first.

 

[jasondavid92]

Does anybody have the link for appointees? It was like this handbook thing of information for accepted candidates. Talked about R-day and A-day, finances, computers, etc.etc.

 

[AKH]

Does anybody have the link for appointees? It was like this handbook thing of information for accepted candidates. Talked about R-day and A-day, finances, computers, etc.etc.

That should show up on your portal. If you don't have it yet, try this https://candidate.usma.edu/downloads/InstructionsForApplicantsOfferedAdmission.pdf

 

[Hunter9x9]

I know I am probably just trying to get my hopes up for nothing, but does West Point ever accept a person that applied for SLS and was denied acceptance at first?

This guy! Got rejected from SLS... Almost stopped the application processes to SA's. Got an LOA September 7. Never give up!

 

[Ken2012]

I know I am probably just trying to get my hopes up for nothing, but does West Point ever accept a person that applied for SLS and was denied acceptance at first?

Well the class sizes are around 1300-1400 or so, and about 1000 go to SLS, and not everyone from SLS received and accepted an appointment. So that's a good number to play around with.

 

[jake s]

Well the class sizes are around 1300-1400 or so, and about 1000 go to SLS, and not everyone from SLS received and accepted an appointment. So that's a good number to play around with.

Ken, that number is a little high if I remember correctly. I'll need confirmation but I thought only about half of your average class attends SLS.

 

[WestPointHopeful2015]

I think what Ken is trying to say is that rougly 1000 people attend SLS, not that 1000 from SLS go to WP. About 1500 are accepted into WP. I heard that about 1/2 of those who attended SLS ended up going to WP. This means that 1/3rd of the class is made up of those who went to SLS (500/1500).

 

[abeastlybeast]

I know I am probably just trying to get my hopes up for nothing, but does West Point ever accept a person that applied for SLS and was denied acceptance at first?

I was denied acceptance at SLS in the summer, received an LOA in July and was appointed a member of the Class of 2015 in November.

 

[freedomtruck]

Same as beastly for me, except appointed in December.

 

[Ken2012]

Sorry for the confusion, I meant to say that 1000 attend SLS. I was thinking hypothetically if every single person from SLS would get an appointment then there would still be a couple hundred spots left, and obviously this doesn't happen.

 

[armyman736]

I guess I need to re-word my question. I applied for this years SLS and I was denied. I am asking is there any chance that West Point takes back that denial and accepts a few more people into SLS?

 

[abeastlybeast]

I guess I need to re-word my question. I applied for this years SLS and I was denied. I am asking is there any chance that West Point takes back that denial and accepts a few more people into SLS?

When I visited West Point for a candidate tour, I spoke with the evaluator of SLS applications. I don't remember her name unfortunately, but she did permit me to update my SLS application and try again for acceptance. However, I didn't receive a reply after resubmitting. I really wish I remembered her name. I may be able to check my West Point information folder later and see if I can find her contact number. I'll get back to you

 

[armyman736]

When I visited West Point for a candidate tour, I spoke with the evaluator of SLS applications. I don't remember her name unfortunately, but she did permit me to update my SLS application and try again for acceptance. However, I didn't receive a reply after resubmitting. I really wish I remembered her name. I may be able to check my West Point information folder later and see if I can find her contact number. I'll get back to you

Okay thank you for your help.

 

[jake s]

this might be an overly detailed question but I had a question after reading through the instructions for admitted applicants booklet. I know that USMA issues you a lot of personal hygiene stuff when you get to Beast, but what about shower shoes/ flip-flops? I remember seeing cadets with them on during my overnight visit and i was wondering if I should bring them in my Beast duffle bag. Thanks.