<p>Uncynical, I was wondering about research papers and reports.</p>
<p>How many do you have to do on average per month, and how many pages are the reports on average?</p>
<p>I always wondered how the whole research paper goes at the Academy, and at college in general.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Squawk, that varies on a lot of things. One factor is how long you have been here; several core classes (History, English, and Geopolitics, to name a few) require papers, and then depending on your major, once you begin getting into those classes, you may get more or fewer research papers. Technical classes are known by lab reports while non technical classes tend to be known for research papers (but both end up containing some of both). Another factor is how much emphasis the course director wants to be on papers; some may only want cadets to do one while others feel it is worth over half of the points for that course. One more factor is the number of papers versus the length of the papers; you'll usually have to write numerous papers (such as 5-6) which aren't too long (maybe 2-4 pages each) or you'll have fewer papers (1-4) that will be longer (ranging anywhere from 5 or 6 upwards of 12 pages). Some classes (mainly majors classes) may have the vast majority of your grade hinging on a paper, which may be over 30 pages, but you won't get anything like that in a core class. In any engineering classes you take here, you'll have labs of one sort or another and be required to hand in a report; for core classes, these are usually just a few pages and can be done in a night. For labs/experiments in majors classes, you're looking are more pages. For instance, not including appendicies, in the past year I've turned in about 4 reports that were between 18 and 25 pages. On the bright side, when you get into majors classes and you're having to write a LOT (whether it be research papers or reports), you almost always have a huge say in what you're writing about, so they're topics you should be interested in. I'm not sure how throroughly I answered your questions, but due to all the factors, it's hard to nail down a "typical" semester.</p>
<p>Looks good Uncynical, thanks for your input.</p>
<p>Not really looking forward to those papers, but I will get them done anyway.</p>
<p>Oh, and I remember reading that you cannot do all of the assignments that instructors give you, but you must manage your time and only get so many done.</p>
<p>Wouldn't that kill your overall GPA and grades? Since they give you more than you can actually complete, I always wondered how people can have good grades overall.</p>
<p>Also, if any of you four degrees (or even the three degree) who roam the boards sometimes happen to see Squawk's questions, maybe you could lend some insight into how many papers, etc. you had this semester, just as an example. While I remember my classes from a few years ago, I don't recall how many papers I had in each one, how long they were, etc.</p>
<p>Squawk, the key to papers, among other things here, is not waiting until the night before they are due to begin working on them. ;)</p>
<p>UN:
what changes are being made?</p>
<p>Sempergumby, there are ALWAYS changes being made, but sometimes there are more than others. Recently, the Academy got new leadership (Supt and Commandant) and they're questioning some of the changes that were made by the previous leadership, especially in reference to training and what goes on during four degree year. They have not made any decisions concerning what changes will or will not be made yet, but there will be at least a few.</p>
<p>aka bring back Recognition? I've heard rumors of that happening for '10; could this possibly be true?</p>
<p>I've heard that we're getting the nifty new BDUs this year? I think?</p>
<p>The ACU? Would all the Academies get it, or just WP?</p>
<p>If they do bring back recognition and 40 days, one would think it would start with the class of 2010 and not 2009. Usually, any changes in an institution apply to the next incoming class and are not made mid year. It wouldn't be wise to set standards and expectations, go through training events and earn privileges only to have them yanked. "Oh, by the way, even though Commandant's Challenge was a success and you earned and we awarded privileges, we've changed our minds" Talk about the lack of trust and low morale that would result. It will be interesting.</p>
<p>With that being said, I think the Class of 2009 would be proud to say that their class participated in Recognition; what an accomplishment. And I would think that in order for it to be successful they would have to be prepared, not necessarily treating them like they were in BCT again or revoking all of their privileges, but preparing them mentally and physically. I'm quite sure that whatever happens, USAFA has the cadets best interests in mind.</p>
<p>ahh i feel really stupid...what are all of these..ACU, recognition.. i probably even know what these are but just not by these names. Help?</p>
<p>Please keep the Recognition rumors to a minimum, at least until the generals make their decision. Likewise, I'll keep the "rumors" I've heard to myself as well since NOTHING is official yet.</p>
<p>I didn't mean to open up a can of worms...I realize that nothing is official until it is signed and initiated; that being said, rumors are just that--rumors--and don't necessarily have any bearing with the truth.</p>
<p>I was just wondering if anyone was planning on going to the orientation in April...I'm thinking about it.</p>
<p>"I didn't mean to open up a can of worms...I realize that nothing is official until it is signed and initiated; that being said, rumors are just that--rumors--and don't necessarily have any bearing with the truth."</p>
<p>Perhaps my last post came off a but more harshly than I had intended. I can understand everyone wanting to know what's going on right now, or what will go on. However, despite the rampant speculations that are going around, General Regni and his staff have not yet made any decisions concerning changes. I think there will be information coming out in the somewhat near future, and at that time, go ahead and discuss what comes out. Before that time, however, hearsay will only cause more drama and rumors, which I'm trying to keep to a minimum. Does that make sense? ;)</p>
<p>On the topic of Appointee Orientation, as I mentioned a while back, my offer's open to be an escort for any female appointee who decides to come. I'm pretty sure you're still able to request an escort, but you need to tell them in advance (on the orientation paperwork if I recall correctly).</p>
<p>When do the firsties find out where they are going for their first assignment? Do you go to specialty training after the academy? Does everyone get to soar or jump? When do you find out?</p>
<p>They've been moving up the time when cadets find out their assignments. Classes prior to mine found on on 100s Night (mid February of firstie year, signifying 100 days until graduation). My class found out last year a couple months prior to summer. We don't find out where we're going for training, though, until 100s Night this year. There is training outside of the Academy for all jobs after graduation; where the training is depends on the job.</p>
<p>Most people do get to either soar or jump during their time here. (A very select few get to do both, while some get neither.) It usually happens between your first and second year here. There is also usually one other opportunity for either one during one of the following semesters, but then it's actually during a semester so your schedule is pretty packed. If you do it during the summer, you put in preferences during your four degree year and find out which one you got near the middle of second semester. When people don't do either, it's usually because they end up getting in trouble for something and get it taken away for some reason or either of the programs has an issue and get grounded for a while (which tends to happen sometimes).</p>