<p>M4M - hang in there! What doesn't kill you will make you stronger! It is true that any female making it through USMA (or any academy for that matter) will be smart, strong and a true leader. While you are going through hell now, know that when you graduate you will be an incredibly valuable commodity in the job market of any variety. Plebes are boys - eventually they will become men. It just takes them longer, that's why they had to invent academies! ;) Make it through the year, and then the next semester, and then the next. repeat. Just try not to cry publicly, only behind those locked doors. Then paste a smile on and get going again. Your CC friends are behind you!</p>
<p>The Plebe guys are, for the most part, jerks. You'll hear and see 100 times more than you ever wanted to--take the majority of girls out of the picture, and guys get weird. Plus, for the most part, Plebe guys haven't yet gained the maturity to see Plebe girls as really being female. That will change in a year or two, as they begin to see them in civilian clothes and just being normal.</p>
<p>the girls are much harder to get a true picture of personality, because if you show too much or get too friendly with the guys, they oftentimes will take it the wrong way. You have to be strong, but at the same time, you still want to be female.</p>
<p>Marines4Me: Im sorry that your experience has been tough, and I admire your determination to stick with it regardless. While you are having a difficult time trying to figure out how to balance being strong and being female around the guys, the guys are likely to be just as confused as to how to act around you. Do you have any specific advice?</p>
<p>I love envee06s post: I haven't even figured out civilian girls, so I'm a long ways from cracking the "West Point feminine mystique." and suspect that most guys would probably identify with him.</p>
<p>"Oooh, just read about your debate between USCGA and USMA--just so you know, USCGA is more hardcore than here when it comes to hazing. They're the worst, actually, and really hard on their Plebes or whatever they call them."</p>
<p>M4M what are you basinig this on? And they are called swabs fyi.</p>
<p>Granted, I don't have much knowledge at all, only second-hand. But it comes from upperclassmen who did the semester exchange bit. They said that overall, the USCGA was harder overall in that aspect.</p>
<p>soccer,
i had the same experience when i visited. i didn't let it get to me. this place will break you down and build you back up again. everyone hits there low points, especially around this point in the year. it would probably be better to get an opinion from an upperclassmen instead, because they have at least seen some of the positive aspects of cadet life. not everyone here is unhappy like you think. i think it might be quite the opposite. we are bitter, cynical, but the friends i have made here are always happy and some of the best people i know. we are all going through this crap together. only those plebes next to you know the crap u have to endure, so that really allows you to become close. those plebes who were telling you not to come probably just thought they were funny.
marines4me- i think that was a large generalization saying plebe guys are immature. i know it is true for some, but you'll find some freshman guys to be immature at most colleges, moreso than here.</p>