Just curious, is Calc 2 as intense as everyone says it is, or is it a state of mind/attitude situation?
A good attitude helps, but not as much as solid Calc 1 skills. Calculus is kind of my bread and butter so when you start your class, let me know if I can help.
For anyone interested, either for now or when you get selected and take Calc 1-3 later, one of my go-to references is Paul's Notes (throw it in google and the website comes right up). It is arguably the most comprehensive collection of online notes dedicated to everything from adv. algebra/trig through intro to differential equations.
Now that's a GREAT resource! I've been brushing up my trig/algebra skills so I won't be too overwhelmed. I've always loved mathematics and the sciences (will be pursuing an Aero Engineering degree in the future).
I really appreciate your offer for help as well. Even if I'm not selected in October, I will continue my academic pursuits toward that degree by getting those foundation courses under my belt. I've already completed University Physics 1 with a calculus base and did pretty well, so I'm anticipating some correlation with the math.
So, I've been curious, are the board members required to look through every package page for page, or could they potentially just toss an application to the side because they didn't like the first couple pages?
An area, perhaps not well understood by package applicants, is that excellent writing skills are a requirement for success as a Naval Officer. When a board reviewing a submitted packet, notices errors in grammar; punctuation, spelling, Capitalization etc, in the first few pages, the rest of your packet is probably not going to get the attention it deserves. Before submitting, find a grammar savvy proofreader (or several), preferably an English Teacher/Professor to "edit", and mark it up for you. It may well be the difference between "Y" and "N"!Grammatically or quality wise? Both can get you tossed.
An area, perhaps not well understood by package applicants, is that excellent writing skills are a requirement for success as a Naval Officer. When a board reviewing a submitted packet, notices errors in grammar; punctuation, spelling, Capitalization etc, in the first few pages, the rest of your packet is probably not going to get the attention it deserves. Before submitting, find a grammar savvy proofreader (or several), preferably an English Teacher/Professor to "edit", and mark it up for you. It may well be the difference between "Y" and "N"!
Be aware that your career success and promotions, and those of YOUR Sailors, will greatly depend on your writing abilities!
BzB, Prior ET2 (SS)
My main concerns are having only one evaluation and being an airman at the time of submission. The most powerful "on paper" part of my package is in my college, the internal/external board write-ups, ACT scores, ASTB, Pilot's License, and awards and LOR's from college ROTC; all of which are past the first few pages.
The overwhelming majority of selected applicants are E1-E4 with under 6 years experience. My assumption is that they do this to better ensure a 20-year career out of the selectees (and that younger selectees have fewer bad habits to break during training).
In other words, they look for young Thundercats like you instead of old farts like me.
I think this has more to do with the fact that the majority of individuals are selected for the Nuclear program(31/50 selections). With selection consistently high in this, a young age limit (26 1/2), as well as the majority of those being selected coming straight from Nuclear Power School, puts them in the E1-E4 range and under 6 years experience. Looking at the breakdown of the selects from last years message, only one E4 and below was selected for the remaining non-nuclear programs. Core had four E5 and one E6, the rest had one E4, eight E5, and five E6. The alternates had a few more E4, but for the most part held true to the E5 and above. I'm not trying to discourage anyone E4 and below from applying, but am being a realist. If you are E4 and below and don't get selected, APPLY AGAIN! Every year I have applied, I believe my chances are better, because my package is that much better. Evaluate what you may need to do to improve your chances the next year, and do it! If you are an E4 and below that gets selected outside of the Nuclear option, you must be working extremely hard, so Congrats! Just my interpretation...