<p>I think mids are permitted to take notes on laptops, subject to instructor approval.
From what I hear, few do take notes on computer. I think this is more function of peer pressure, i.e. "I don't want to stand out from the others" more than anything else. This probably won't change until the academy issues laptops as standard equipment.
Some have laptops to keep up with assignments while traveling or while in the library.</p>
<p>The academy issued laptops several classes ago. It discontinued because of the high rate of loss. Since the laptops were identical, they frequently were mistaken for a mids own, and once the mistake realized, it was near impossible to retrieve the correct one.
CM</p>
<p>In terms of the prelim application, I think that it will probably take a week to two until you get a full candidate package.</p>
<p>I had heard that. I don't suppose it occurred to anybody that they could put their names or number on the laptop? They put numbers on everything else!</p>
<p>Coast Guard issues laptops to all the new cadets...they are paid for out of the intitial deposit of $3,000 which is the "down payment" on a very valuable education.</p>
<p>Question: If my son changes a sport this year, does he need to let Admissions know? He is in swimming, wrestling and a beyond sick work out schedule. He is getting so big from the weightlifting etc.that his swimming is getting slower and less competitive. He decided that since he wants to be "big and strong", he joined a karate dojo in the beginning of summer and has fallen in love with karate. He loves the discipline, instruction in coordination and enhanced combat skills. As a matter of fact, he loves it more than any sport he has done until now. However, karate is not through the school so I didn't know if this would hurt his application. He isn't worried. I hope that it isn't a problem. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>LOL Bill! It does kinda makes ya wonder if there is enough common sense being handed out. They have to stencil their underwear but not put their names on a 3,000 dollar computer..........It brings to mind my favorite beer commerical...... I can see those two carton guys in my mind's eye, clinking thier bottles together saying, "BRILLIANT!" I have to ask whats going on with that at my son's academy. I'm sure its the same case. I can hear it now... "Uh....which laptop is mine?" "Dude! The black one. Wait a second... Mine is black too...." LOL</p>
<p>Don't worry O-mom. My son was in a sport that the academy doesn't even offer anymore. Precision rifle. I think he got in on his good looks! GRIN! Any new sport activity can only help make his ap look better.</p>
<p>At the end of the day [and this is VERY IMPORTANT to remember] it is a Government institution. Governmental institutions do not deal in the currency of common sense.</p>
<p>Fill out your forms correctly, remember to do everything twice, follow instructions [no matter how ridiculous you may think they are] and keep your sense of humor.</p>
<p>Re: misplacing laptops. I hope these midshipmen do a better job taking care of our subs and ships and don't lose too many of them. I guess they do paint big numbers on the subs/ships.</p>
<p>BigGreen: very funny!
back to laptops: Bill0510: your comments about not wanting to "stick out" is appreciated; I was wondering as we needed to purchase a laptop (the tablet variety with digital pen) for this year, and thought it might be useful for class notes at USNA- so taking your advice, we will see how it goes. Having read these other comments, I had to reflect back on this day.....first, I took my husbands cell phone instead of my own and got paged 4 times and had to explain 4 times why I was not him, I tried to climb into the wrong Rav4 outside Best Buy (wondering why my key would not work- thought our daughter had changed the locks on her car, only to finally figure out the car was 2 rows over)....and then I moved onward and hijacked the wrong grocery cart at the next stop....(thought I was having another senior moment when I saw the metamucil in the cart), so thank goodness they paint those big numbers on all those ships! honestly, though, every kid is walking around with the identical laptop- already our son had his flip-flops go MIA as a result of mistaken identity.....(aren't kids afraid of athletes foot and fungi????) ....so in taking this to its logical conclusion, do they have such things as an engraving pen or some kind of permanent label thing for things other than underware that we might use on his computer, and now the latest and greatest version of the TI calculator that he needed to replace the one "borrowed but never to be seen again" that, no doubt, 250+ others have?????? HELP!!!</p>
<p>Maybe one of y'all can help me out.</p>
<p>My Blue and Gold Officer and I have been corresponding for a while, and all of a sudden he started refered to my last name as "Long" instead of "Law." </p>
<p>I pointed out the error in my last email. He replied that he was playing a "joke" and that I should ask a midshipman or check out REEF POINTS in order to understand the joke. Since you just completed Plebe summer, I imagine you could give me some insight...maybe even a quote of the section of REEF POINTS that he referencing. (and by the by I did check out what I could find of REEF POINTS via internet and could not find much other than an a VERY abriged version. That being said, if you know of a site that posts the book in its entireity, please provide a link.)</p>
<p>Alright, thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Since we are going through the laptop issue right now . . . </p>
<p>I emailed my son to confirm that he, in fact, did want a laptop or was he worried about "sticking out."
His response was along the lines of: "I don't care a whole lot about what people think about me in that aspect too much anymore . . . I'm a different person, as you already know." Having said that, he wasn't too sure he would be using it to take notes in class. " . . . that would be weird"</p>
<p>But he has "discovered that it would definitely be useful to able to type things on the move . . ." </p>
<p>So? We are sending him the laptop. I think once he has it, he will find it useful when he travels, goes to library or tutors others.</p>
<p>I previously have marked the battery of my laptop w/ driver's license numbers. We will take a marking pen and an electronic pen to mark the laptop. We also have signed up with USAA for renters insurance to cover loss or theft.</p>
<p>Bill0510: can you elaborate- what is USAA? is it an insurance company for the academies only? the battery idea is a good one- but what is an electronic pen? thanks for the comments directly from the source- i am thinking that having to use this tablet laptop in class this year, our son may find himself taking notes on it the same way he would the traditional way- without loosing papers in the process- and the idea you can take it while traveling is a good point, especially if you are playing sports elsewhere and have work that still needs to get done- amazing what these kids balance day to day! thanks for your help!</p>
<p>USAA is an insurance company that specializes in insurance for military personnel; one has to be enlisted, retired, or directly related active-duty to be able to obtain insurance. [Probably some others qualify but you get the idea.]</p>
<p>If I recall your offspring is NAPS? Is he considered active duty? If so, he is eligible to obtain insurance. I think it is about $40 - 50 per year and covers loss. $50 deductible I think.</p>
<p>Sorry, electronic pen sh/ probably been better stated as an electric pen. An engraving pen actually. Readily available at stores.</p>
<p>USAA is the best insurance co. You have to be somehow connected to the military. It used to be that only officers were allowed to be members. Besides being a USAA member I also worked for them years ago and it had and still does have the best customer service.</p>
<p>Oregon Mom,</p>
<p>Regarding sports: My daughter's major high school and club sport are not played at any of the academies. They don't even have clubs. So, I bet it's a bit discouraging not to play the only team sport in which you excel. </p>
<p>However, she also has a black belt in tae kwon do and truly loves martial arts even though she did not have much time for it in high school. At WP she has joined one of the martial arts clubs and is thoroughly enjoying it. </p>
<p>If your son has an opportunity to be captain of either swimming or wrestling, I believe it would be valuable to include the experience on his application. Just looking at the profiles of entering classes you will see that any of the academies emphasize this kind of experience. The martial arts provide outstanding physical, mental and leadership training. The discipline can be phenomenal therefore I suspect it is of interest to the academies. However, it has been my understanding that the academies are looking for commitment to an activity over many years that ultimately leads to a leadership role. And in order to reach the black belt level, it can take several years of extensive preparation. Then the real training can begin.</p>
<p>Karate will certainly not hurt his application. However, giving up his other activities in order to pursue karate may raise some questions. Please don't misunderstand. I'm not saying he should quit karate - especially if he loves it (and I don't blame him for loving it). I know how exciting it is to watch your child pursue a new passion. My 2 cents (worth less than 2 cents by the way) is to keep your eye on the bigger goal and do everything possible to get the appointment.</p>
<p>Good for him for not being worried.</p>
<p>Bill0510: thanks for the info- he is in the foundation school, so don't think he is eligable. will look for that engraving pen!</p>
<p>Momoftwins: I had the same thoughts that you have. However, he would only be stopping the hs swim team. He is still working on the school weightlifting record etc... and has plenty of leadership activities at the school. He is also swimming still but not competively. However, the karate is quite time consuming and his background in wrestling and fighting is just fueling his karate. They are sparring, using weapons etc...I guess I don't want control him and have him be completely unhappy in his senior year.</p>
<p>Oregon Mom,</p>
<p>He sounds like quite the warrior. Perhaps he wants to look at WP? ;)</p>
<p>Actually one of the many things I appreciate about martial arts training is that you will progress according to the work you put into it. In other words, if a student attends class once or twice a week, progress will be much slower than for the student who attends 4-6 times a week. Therefore the eligibility to test successfully for higher level belts should occur more quickly for that student who makes a more serious time and emotional commitment.</p>
<p>My other daughter was a hs swimmer and I can't imagine how a kid could get up every morning and come home so late at night without really dying to compete at that level. Sparring and weapons seem so much more fun.</p>
<p>Momoftwins: I know what you mean about WP but its always been the Naval Academy. Maybe it all started with StarTrek and Capt. Kirk of the USS Enterprise! Jake is going now 5+times per week to karate and yes, this kid is beyond "a warrior". The only thing about swimming that I hate is the grossness of being a swim mom and sweating through the entire day of a swim meet. At least karate is in an air conditioned dojo! But I do like that he was clean during swimming.</p>
<p>PS Applying to colleges etc...and getting endless recommendations is not fun for a boy!</p>