Reapplicant with academic issues

InfantryLieutenant

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Oct 20, 2021
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Good morning everyone, I hope you’re all well. I’m a reapplicant to the academy whose browsed the forums a lot in the past without an account, but I need some insight on my academic situation. I’m a contracted cadet and 4-year national scholarship winner with my ROTC battalion, which is a program I absolutely love being a part of, but I attend a selective and competitive school within the Patriot League. I had some trouble transitioning to college and balancing the life of ROTC and activities with academics, and thus the latter suffered a bit. I’m enrolled in five classes, four of which I’m confident in my performance, but one of them I’ve missed too much to the point where the highest grade I can receive is pretty low. Because of this, I’m likely going to withdraw from the course and take it next semester, but I’m afraid about how USMA will judge a W on my college transcript when I submit it in late December. If anyone has any insight on this, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
Does "pretty low" mean you will fail the class or does it mean you will make a C or D?

Sounds like you are asking if it looks better to have a W or a C/D? I think it depends on your other grades too. When you say you are confident, does that mean you are confident with getting As? Because all As and one C or even one D probably will be okay. On the other hand, if it's all As and a failing grade, then the W might look better.

I tell my students taking college classes that I would work all day long to get a grade as high as I could before I'd give up and take a W. The only way I encourage Ws would be for unusual circumstances (loss of loved one, hospitalized student, etc). Many many college professors will work with students who get their act together in the 2nd half of a course. Much better than taking W which looks like "I quit".

Just my thoughts.
 
How does withdrawing affect you being a full time student?
How does withdrawing affect your ROTC? How would getting a bad grade affect ROTC?
How does withdrawing affect your course sequence? If you drop out of, say, Calculus 1 you can't take Calc 2 next semester nor Physics.
Make sure to talk to your adviser to makes sure you know the consequences of your decision.

Remember your goal is to become an Officer so ROTC will get you there if USMA is not in the cards.

Make sure you understand why you did not do well in that class and make sure you are using all the academic support tools your college provides (e.g., tutors, office hours, study groups, etc etc)
 
but one of them I’ve missed too much to the point where the highest grade I can receive is pretty low
It is critical that you reflect on the core reason for "missing too much" of this class. Is it a time-management issue? Have you met with the instructor to try make up the deficit?

If you don't resolve the cause of the issue, it is likely to repeat itself next semester. You should also be open and transparent with your AROTC advisor. While it is ultimately your responsibility to solve the problem, your cadre has a vested interest in your success and may help you triage what is most important among your activities.

Good luck at adapting and overcoming this.
 
Whether you choose W or C/D it's going to draw a raised eyebrow from reviewers. I'm with @AROTC-dad in pointing out the real question here. If a class is too hard or you aren't meshing with the prof or simply aren't putting in the work it's one thing. But attendance is something that you control (or you should have dropped a long time ago for simple scheduling reasons.) Handling four classes in that conference is a great sign, but not handling one for attendance reasons is going to raise some flags.
 
Good morning everyone, I hope you’re all well. I’m a reapplicant to the academy whose browsed the forums a lot in the past without an account, but I need some insight on my academic situation. I’m a contracted cadet and 4-year national scholarship winner with my ROTC battalion, which is a program I absolutely love being a part of, but I attend a selective and competitive school within the Patriot League. I had some trouble transitioning to college and balancing the life of ROTC and activities with academics, and thus the latter suffered a bit. I’m enrolled in five classes, four of which I’m confident in my performance, but one of them I’ve missed too much to the point where the highest grade I can receive is pretty low. Because of this, I’m likely going to withdraw from the course and take it next semester, but I’m afraid about how USMA will judge a W on my college transcript when I submit it in late December. If anyone has any insight on this, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
If you are struggling as a Freshman taking five classes, think long and hard about any of the service academies. At almost all of them, you take five or six classes, plus Physical Education, and Military Instruction, and you are required to participate in either Company or Intramural Sports. All these things take time out of your day, studying becomes more difficult because you are tired or have other obligations (Duty). Also, IF the class you are struggling in is a STEM Class, that will not look good if you apply again to WP. The Army requires STEM courses and background. Firing a missile, or shooting from a moving tank, or conducting land navigation for your squad or Company in stressful situations requires quick thinking, a STEM background, and really good time management.

I have no clue if a "W" or a "D or F" is worse, but neither is a good choice. It is still mid semester, get on the ball, get with your Cadre and Professor and work out a plan going forward. You don't want the same problem next semester or the following year.

Re-applying with a 12 credit load and no intercollegiate sports is likely not going to stack up well against your competition (unless they are all STEM Courses and you get "A's"). If you truly want WP, then get on the ball, and show them you are successful as a college student in ROTC. Sometimes a "Bird in Hand" is worth more than "Two in the Bush". You have the scholarship, you know your school and ROTC Program, and you say you like it, so short of getting the "Ring" you get the same Commission.
 

Withdrawal​



General Things to consider when thinking about Withdrawing from a class:

1) TALK TO YOUR ADVISER before you make any decisions

2) Will taking a W move you from full time to part time? Full time is usually 12 credits (check your college). If you are part time you are not eligible for financial aid or living in dorms.

3) Is this class needed for your major? If you don't take it now, will you have to take it again? Will it cause you to fall behind in keeping up with your major classes?

4) Why are you getting a C? What happens the next time you get a C? W again? One W is okay, but a pattern shows that you have difficulty with college.

5) Will Withdrawing from a course make it difficult to graduate on time? Will you need to make it up in summer $$ or do you have extra credits from HS?

6) Can you raise your grade? Check this post for ideas


7) If this course is in your major, is this the right major for you? If you are pre-med but are getting a C in Biology, maybe this is not the major for you. If you are getting a C in an elective, that is another story.

8) Sometimes W's are necessary. My daughter was in the hospital for a week early in the semester...she Withdrew from a course because she would not be able to catch up on all her courses if she kept all the classes. A W here or there is no problem, but a pattern of them looks like you have trouble with college work.
 
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