Academics: Do They Live Up To The Legend?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>We have all heard the horror stories of killer chemistry and so on but I wanted to know, just how tough is the true academic schedule in conjunction with the day to day things at the academy? Any current mids want to respond? (preferably not parents or other people in this part. I want a first hand opinion)</p>

<p>I'm currently in AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, and AP English and am doing fine in those classes with little effort. I am planning on the classes next year to be RIDICULOUSLY tough and to ALWAYS have to stress and do work upon work but I want to know is this really how it always is? How do the classes compare to well taught AP classes? Also, what study strategies do you mids recommend (this is the part where parents can reply).</p>

2

<p>scubyguy17,</p>

<p>Honestly, your AP classes could end up being more challenging than what you'll get at the Academy, but it really depends on a number of things. First, how much work are you willing to put in? In a math course, your teacher may assign homework, but not collect it...It will be on you to learn the material rather than getting a "homework grade" to boost your overall grade. Secondly, it depends on who you get.</p>

<p>As for English, I never took AP English in high school as I resorted to honors all 4 years. English was probably my easiest, most enjoyable class during plebe year. I got a B in both classes without doing much work. I hardly cracked a book...most of your assignments will be papers or essays based on the books you read. If you do the readings, you should get an A in the class because you can then write a stellar paper. For me, I never read, but paid close attention to class discussion and read a chapter here or there in order to formulate my own views on the novels. If you can write coherent essays, you'll do fine. Some people struggle because they come to USNA thinking they know how to write a 5-point paper and that they will be able to sneak by. For the first part of plebe english, I read most of the texts and did well on the papers: A-, B, B-, B, writing them all the night before. The last one I wrote, I got a D+ on it because I wrote it the PERIOD before it was due...I got it back and I got one comment, "This looks like an English-Second language student wrote it...Lesson-Give yourself at least one night to think and write a decent paper and you'll be fine. I had two "hard" profs. according to most mids, but I felt blessed to have them because all we had to do was read and write papers (no reading comprehension, Thank God).</p>

<p>As far as chemistry goes, well I didn't really have a good base knowledge and I only attended EI a few times, and it shows because I received D's in both Chem I and Chem II... Most people consider me to be pretty "cerebral, smart, and intuitive" yet my CQPR is around 2.3...academics are there and can make your life hell, especially if you're not doing ok... I've always seemed to coast by especially since I'm done with plebe chemistry, but you have to measure your priorities. To me, a good company ranking and aptitude grade, along with being SAT of course are my main goals. Of course, it doesn't hurt to be good at everything, but if you immerse yourself in your company's activities (planning SMT's, participating in feedback, having a tough billet), you might find, like me, that academics need to take a backseat sometimes in order for the company to run...Last semester I achieved a 2.44, but reading things on my fitrep (evaluations) like "SMT's would not happen without MIDN X's planning" and "Is a selfless leader dedicated to helping others"... I'll take that any day over a 4.0 as long as I can convey that message on a daily basis...</p>

<p>In your case, I wouldn't underestimate academics, but with those AP's, you might have a leg up and might actually validate (get out of) a few classes based on AP scores and validation tests during plebe summer.</p>

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<p>AP classes are based a lot more on your work that you do outside of class ie essays and readings and stuff. And teachers kind of hold your hand through it by giving you tons of practice tests. Here academics are lot more focused on what you'll do without your teacher ever knowing it. If you just take notes in class and not look over them until the night of the test then it will probably show. If you try and work through problem areas then it's more likely to show in your grades. I never go to EI because I never know what to ask and I don't really feel like going. I got a 3.0 last semester so I don't mind.
Chem isn't hard. I love it actually, it is my major, but that's just me. Most people complain. I hate english only because I have a hard prof and that makes it suck. And I hate writing and most of the books suck. This is coming from someone who loves reading. Nav and Seamanship are a lot harder than everyone makes them out to be so be aware of that or else you'll not do well. You actually have to study for those classes even though they seem like a complete waste of time, especially doing charts.
Just study a lot. And don't slack off for the finals because your grades will go down. :(</p>

4

<p>The difficulty of Academy academics can vary widely. People without great academic backgrounds will probably struggle throughout all of plebe year, and maybe longer if they choose a major not suited to their strengths....</p>

<p>
[quote]
As for English, I never took AP English in high school as I resorted to honors all 4 years. English was probably my easiest, most enjoyable class during plebe year. I got a B in both classes without doing much work. I hardly cracked a book...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is the potential beauty of several group 3 majors (in this case English, and I can vouch for history as well). For mids who know how to write and can accurately regurgitate the classroom discussions (or in the case of history term papers, also know how to research and form a solid arguments), many of these classes can be both enjoyable and easy. That being said however, many mids struggle with their writing ability, especially during plebe year. When this is the case it can get extremely frustrating for people who may work hard, but still can't write on a college level. They can put in twice the time of a skilled writer and barely crack a C while their counterpart is pulling As... Theres a reason why every history major takes a course at the beginning of the major that focuses specifically on how to write research papers.</p>

<p>With Chem... pure and simple, I thought it sucked. Thats my personal opinion, and I'm sure I would've done better had I actually been the slightest bit interested. It also didn't help that I had without a doubt the hardest teacher in my life for chem I. But anyway, chem is one of the classes where you have to put in the long hours. Its very easy to absolutely bomb in chem exams.</p>

<p>As far as the day to day schedule goes, as a plebe you have more than enough time to get everything done. You definitely have to put in time, but its there. That being said though, if your an in-season varsity athlete, your day becomes exponentially tougher and time definitely becomes a factor.</p>

5

<p>GoNavyXC: Unfortunately academics cannot take a backseat too often. I equate academics to warfare qualifications. You have to do it, and often times just getting by will not be enough. In the fleet you cannot get by with D's, and most likely C's will not cut it with most commanding officers. You will find that doing a great job at coordinating the PRT work-outs, ship sports teams, etc may sound good now, but it is more important to ensure that all your systems are up and running and that you and your personnel are qualified to do the job. This will not happen if everyone on your team settles for D's, or even C's. You will be setting the example. No one will care that you received a D in chemistry once you hit the fleet. But, you will probably be looking for another job if you get a D on a major inspection (PEB, Insurv, etc). Set your goals high and strive to surpass them.</p>

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<p>If doesn't matter if you've done AP/IP etc..., you will still work harder and longer than you ever have, if you expect to do well. In addition, you will have military/physical requirements. The Youngster curriculum adds to the fun w/ more credits to be taken. As a Mech E major, my son has 21 units this term.</p>

7

<p>The Academy, in some respects, is no different than any other university.
If you want to be near the top, it will take a lot of hard work!
If you were really bright in sciences in hs and want to muddle along, it will be less hard.
If you were so-so in science or came from a school w/ less challenging science program, it will be difficult for you to excel and, perhaps, difficult for you to maintain. Especially if you did not learn, really learn, your chem, etc. in hs.
That's all there is to it.</p>

<p>Just like any other top-flight school, there will be people here who nail the chemistry whcih, in turn, will make it more difficult for youto get an A or B</p>

8

<p>If you happen to be good in Chem/Calc,,expect to spend a lot of time helping other mids in your company. My son spends countless hours tutoring Chem/Calc/physics.</p>

9

<p>The worst part about academics here is not how tough the classes are, but is balancing it with the random plebe stuff that you have to put up with everyday.</p>