<p>Ive taken some courses that I want to place out of, mainly through APs. I instinctively told myself that I would take the most advanced courses. However, I was wondering if that was such a good idea. I have been hearing that it is better not to place out because plebe year is hell on earth without extremely hard classes. Should I place out?</p>
<p>Any suggestions would be grateful =)</p>
<p>Be sure to send all your AP scores to West Point. You will take validation exams early during Beast. Do your best on these. During reorgy week you and your advisor will discuss your schedule. </p>
<p>There are a lot of threads on CC and SAF that discuss the pros and cons of validating courses at West Point. It all depends on whether you can stay healthy, whether you already know how to study efficiently - there a many factors. </p>
<p>An advantage of validating a course or two is that you will be able to take an extra elective or two in your major during your last two years. I would suggest that you read the AP information on the academic page at [United</a> States Military Academy at West Point](<a href=“http://www.usma.edu%5DUnited”>http://www.usma.edu). If you still have questions, contact the admissions department and ask if it is possible for you to speak to someone in the Dean’s Office.</p>
<p>If you have an idea of the major you would like to pursue, take a look at the required courses which you can access from each academic department page at usma.edu. Sorry, I could not access West Point’s academic page tonight so I cannot post active links.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you as start your West Point experience. Remember that experience will be your own and will be different from everyone else’s. West Point will help you maximize your experience if you ask for help.</p>
<p>“Should I place out?”</p>
<p>I can’t tell you what would be best for you. However, I can tell you that my son chose to validate as many courses as possible and has had no regrets.</p>
<p>My vote goes to validate as much as you can.</p>
<p>Chackster – could you give a bit more detail about why you think placing out is good … Thank you.</p>
<ol>
<li>Challenges that USMA provides are more to your level, better for your education</li>
<li>You get done with “core”-courses sooner, which is a good thing for anyone</li>
<li>You have more time to focus on courses that interest you more</li>
<li>More perspective to help your classmates with their courses</li>
</ol>
<p>Ultimately, having departments realize that you are worthy of validating core courses opens up more opportunities for you later in your academic career at West Point. Having more opportunities is always a good thing.</p>
<p>I have heard that if you get placed in higher level or advanced classes, the instructors recognize that and give out higher grades to reflect your status. In addition, you might get bored in a lower level course covering material you already know. Finally, you are supposed to be going to WP to challenge yourself, right? Why take the easy way/</p>
<p>I highly recommend placing out as much as you can. It is easier to get higher grades in non-core classes (provided you do the work). So validate as much as you can and get into your major so it will be easy for you to go abroad or double major…e.t.c.</p>
<p>I’m in high school right now and I’m taking as many AP courses as I can. I’m mainly doing this because the regular classes bore me, but also because it will make college a more worthwhile experience. Now, I’m only a rising junior so I’m still thinking about colleges, but West Point is one of the many colleges I am considering. I figure that being able to take advanced courses at an early level will be beneficial at any college.</p>
<p>As for West Point, if I attend there I would want to take advantage of all the oppurtunities and challenges that it offers. I’ve looked at the courses offered at West Point and some of the higher level ones looks really fun. Plus, enginneering is a possible major for me, so validating a lot of courses would be important so I can take some more electives, as the engineering tract doesn’t allow for very many.</p>
<p>Turbotw, you mentioned studying abroad at West Point. Could you ellaborate on a few of the programs of study offered at West Point? Studying abroad has sort of been a goal for me for a few years now.</p>