Senior Classes

jwert93

Naval Academy Hopeful
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2010
Messages
35
I will be a Senior in high school next year, and we will begin scheduling in the next couple weeks. I already have the majority of my classes planned out, however I have one open slot which needs to be filled.

I am currently taking:
AP American Government and Politics
AP Biology
AP Computer Science
pre-calculus(highest mathematics class offered to Juniors)
Honors English III
Design and Digital Art(necessary for the fine arts credit required to graduate)
Study Hall

The classes I am going to take are:
AP Calculus AB
AP Statistical Analysis
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Psychology
Physics
Study Hall (helps me to keep up with the homework during my Football and Track seasons.)

My school requires all students taking an AP course to take the corresponding AP test.

I am thinking of filling my final slot with a year long course called Teen Leadership Corps. It is a class that requires an interview, an application, and a contract to enter. It teaches leadership and problem solving skills along with useful Community Service, often at elementary schools mentoring younger children.

It would be nice for some input on my schedule, and whether or not the Leadership class would be worth it.

I should also add that I was active in Student Government my Freshman and Sophomore years, but did not get elected my Junior year. I plan on running again this coming year.
 
One glaring omission: Chemistry

I think you'll struggle Plebe year if entering the Academy after not taking it for 3 years.

Regarding the leadership class, neither I (nor anyone else here) can say how the NA will view it. My feeling is that they look for actual leadership not a class in it. There's a difference between (say) organizing a food drive at your school and getting on a bus with 20 other kids and going to the elementary school once a week as a class assignment.
 
One glaring omission: Chemistry

I think you'll struggle Plebe year if entering the Academy after not taking it for 3 years.

Regarding the leadership class, neither I (nor anyone else here) can say how the NA will view it. My feeling is that they look for actual leadership not a class in it. There's a difference between (say) organizing a food drive at your school and getting on a bus with 20 other kids and going to the elementary school once a week as a class assignment.

Fully agree. Also, I would replace Psych with a history course -- World History, US History, etc. Finally, as I've posted on other threads, Stats is a "wash" for USNA admissions purposes. Probably better than Psych :) but not going to count as math.
 
My problem seems to be then that I took all the toughest courses my school offers early and often. I've already taken both World History, and AP American History...along with taking Chemistry my sophomore year by testing into it. Unfortunately the AP Psych class is the only class I have left available on the social studies track at my school, unless I take a step back and take a much easier class.

I have no other math classes to take, due to my taking courses 1 year ahead of the norm, and I've already taken 3 years of foreign language. I don't know what else to add if I take off Stats and Psych...especially since I need more than 5 credits a quarter to remain eligible for sports. I only have one truly tough class left open on any of the core class tracks, and that is Anatomy and Physiology on the science track.
 
From what I read you can validate Statistics at USNA, and it is an AP course so it shows rigor. It just, apparently, doesn't really count as a math and science course that they are looking for. I, personally, am going to take it next year if it works out because many people said that they really enjoyed the course.
 
I agree that stats has a lot of value and, if you've taken/are taking Calc, go ahead and add it. I was surprised that USNA doesn't value it more highly in the admissions process but, as of 18 mos ago, that's what they said. I would say that, given a choice b/t stats and, say, Music History, Art History, Sociology, etc., stats would be viewed more favorably. My gut feel is that it's akin to an upper level language in that it shows a certain rigor but it won't be viewed as favorably as Chem, Physics, and Calc.
 
The way high school statistcs has been presented to me is that, as far as ademissions is concerned, it is not a substitute for Calculus. Therefore, the only time that I discourage it is when a candidate is attempting to take it in lieu of Calculus. I am intrigued by the Leadership course. There are those, including members of this forum, who believe leaders are born, not made. I am constantly reminded during interviews how little aconcept candidates often have of leadership. I think a formal course would prove valuable in everyday midshipman life. Therefore, based on the minimum knowledge that I have of the situation, I would recommend the Statistics and Leadership electives.
 
This looks like a heavy load! Just try not to overload yourself with excessive work and be sure that in the AP classes not to get below a B and strive to get a 4 or higher on the exams. If not, then drop it to regular level and focus more on your performance in your extra-extracurriculars. I had a friend who was in theater, NHS, and took like 4 AP classes and she was very stressed out. Her doctor said her lymph nodes were swollen due to stress. This meant she got sick very easily.
Anyway if you want service hours NHS (National Honor Society) is also a great way to gain community service experience so you should try to get in it if its available at your school. If you get in you can run for an officer position in your senior year and that would look great too. Plus you are helping plan on serving your community!
 
Just throwing this out there, but I think part of the reason that a lot of colleges don't look as highly on AP Stats is that it is not calculus based as some stats classes in college are.

USNA is going to look at the academic rigor of your school, and if they see that you've taken the hardest classes you could, I think you're going to be okay on that end. Maybe you could supplement it by taking classes at a local community college? I know a few kids who have gotten appointments to USMA that have done that because of the lack of classes that would make them more competitive in their high schools.
 
Thanks to all who gave me input on this matter...I just found out yesterday that the school has decided against offering the AP Stats class, so that simplifies my choice there. I will more than likely end up taking Anatomy and Physiology in its place.
 
Why anatomy and physiology - are you planning on going into medicine? Have you had plane geometry and trig? Does your school offer an advanced chemistry course?
 
I have already taken the highest level geometry given at my school, and no my school does not offer any advanced Chemistry classes. The anatomy is just a possible class that looked tough to help fill out my schedule. I also found I might not get to take it at all with my current class load being as it is.
 
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