It is suggested to all candidates (principals and alternates[65]) that before leaving their homes for the place designated (either West Point or their nearest military post) for their official examination, they should cause themselves to be thoroughly examined by a competent physician, and by a teacher or instructor in good standing. By such an examination any serious disqualification or deficiency in mental preparation would be revealed, and the candidate probably spared the expense and trouble of a useless journey and the mortification of rejection. It should be understood that the informal examination herein recommended is solely for the convenience and benefit of the candidate himself, and can in no manner affect the decision of the official Examining Boards. There being no provision whatever for the payment of the traveling expenses of either accepted or rejected candidates for admission, no candidate should fail to provide himself in advance with the means of returning to his home, in case of his rejection before either of the Examining Boards, as he may otherwise be put to considerable trouble, inconvenience, and even suffering on account of his destitute condition. If admitted, the money brought by him to meet such a contingency can be deposited with the treasurer on account of his equipment as a cadet, or returned to his friends. When the official examination is at a military post the questions[66] for the candidates and surgeons to answer are sent from West Point to the Board of Officers that conducts the examination. Each candidate is given a number which he signs to his examination papers and to a letter containing his autograph; the two are put in separate envelopes and sent to West Point. The Act of Congress approved March 2, 1901, provided that “Appointees shall be examined under regulations to be framed by the Secretary of War before they shall be admitted to the Academy and shall be well versed in such subjects as he may from time to time prescribe.” Special Acts of Congress are sometimes passed that authorize the education at the Academy of young men from foreign countries. These young men are not commissioned in the Army and the acts always provide that all of their expenses shall be defrayed by the countries to which they belong. The Cadets are arranged in four distinct classes, corresponding with the four years of study. The cadets employed on the first year’s course constitute the fourth class; those on the second year’s course the third class; those on the third year’s course the second class; and those on the fourth year’s course the first class. There was in 1908, ’09 and ’10 a preliminary course from about March 11 to June 10 for new cadets then admitted March 1, and they constituted the class of new cadets.