p17  Chapter V

Mental Requirements

An ordinary common school education and a determination "to do the best you can" are guarantees of success. Special preparation for the "Preliminary Examination" for admittance must be made, and I will speak of this later. A college education helps but little, for all must be re‑learned when you go to West Point. The candidate, however, must be well versed in reading, in writing, including orthography, in arithmetic, and have a knowledge of the elements of English grammar, of descriptive geography (particularly of our own country), and of the history of the United States. In conclusion:

A sound body and strong constitution, a fixed degree of preparation, good natural capacity, an aptitude for study, industrious habits, perseverance, an obedient and orderly disposition and a correct moral deportment, are such essential qualifications that candidates knowingly deficient in any of these respects should not, as many do, subject themselves and their friends to the chances of future mortification and disappointment, by accepting appointments at the Academy, and entering upon a career which they cannot successfully pursue. But it must not be inferred that those who fail to master the Academic Course thereby incur discredit as regards mental ability. Many of the strongest intellects otherwise are averse to mathematical investigation.

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