Questions for a Freshman Cadet

Jezzie

USAFA Cadet
10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
126
Hey! If anyone has questions you'd like to ask me, a freshman, I'll be glad to answer them. Having just been through basic training, and going through freshman year currently, I can give you up-to-date information and an inside look. :rolleyes:
 
hey thanks for offering your time..
i had a question about validating courses for 4* year. My situation right now: I've been offered an appointment and I have accepted (2015).. In school by the time I have graduated, I will have completed 5 AP classes. I did 3 Junior year, and I am finishing 2 senior year. With regards to validating courses, can I submit/would it be worth it submitting AP scores to USAFA?
If it helps at all for the subjects I am talking about, the AP classes I will have completed are:
US History
Chemistry
BC Calculus
Physics C
English Literature

Also could you give me a perspective on the difficulty of the the placement tests administered during basic?

Thanks
 
Nateman15:
Basic Training was in some ways easier than I had been expecting. Don't get me wrong - it's still extremely challenging, but not every second of every day is going to be miserable. There'll be times your Cadre actualy say nice things (once in a blue moon) and sometimes something hilarious will happen and it'll make inside jokes that you'll remember for years.
The academic year was a lot tougher than I was expecting. Granted I'm in one of the more difficult squadrons, but the demands on freshmen and the extra duties become tedious and annoying. You're expected to do things like take out trash in the morning, greet upper classmen in the hallway (by full name, rank, job and AFSC), carry your back pack in your left hand (not allowed to put it on your back), running on the marble strips to classes, calling "minutes" in the morning, multiplue training "beat" sessions per week after school... that sort of thing. Any specific questions I can answer for you?

Thunderbird12:
Good luck with validating classes. It's really tough to do here, but not impossible. A friend of mine who'd had 3 1/2 years at a university only had a few (less than 4) credits transfer. I personally got a 4 on my AP Literature exam, and couldn't validate. I was also in AP classes, but those didn't really matter except for looking good on your resume to get accpeted.
The placement tests in the summer aren't bad. They're to place you, not test you.There's easier questions and more difficult questions. It'll assess which class you should start in. You could start in Pre-Cal or in Calc 2. It all depends on the score of the placement tests that you take during basic. On a side note, you won't have a calculator and you'll be dead tired because you're in basic training. These tests can't hurt you, and a lot of cadets say to just fill in bubbles and sleep while you can ( a rare treat) but really try your hardest on these tests so that you can be placed in the correct level.
 
^good luck taking sophomore classes freshman year. no thank you. lol
 
^good luck taking sophomore classes freshman year. no thank you. lol
lololol very good point. My roomate who's in advance chemistry is smacking her head against the wall. Most of these classes are tough without them being advanced or validated. It's ivy league. These teachers don't play around, but they're there for you.
 
With regards to validating courses, can I submit/would it be worth it submitting AP scores to USAFA?

Can't hurt to submit the scores.

Through AP, I was able to validate the core bio class with a 5, and physics 110 (mechanical) with a 4 on the Physics C test. I then validated three semesters of spanish with the online test you take before you come here, and Calc 1 on the placement test.

That made my second semester last year difficult (Physics 215, Calc 3, Engr Mech, Chem) but I would recommend placing out of whatever you can. Gives you slightly more freedom in your schedule later on.
 
It is not Ivy League - once you get into Harvard it's not that hard to hold a b average. AF is way way harder.
 
lol, I think I repost this every year. Please correct anything out of date, but the bottom line is: try to validate anything and everything you can!

I think the Chemistry piece has changed. Can only validate the first semester which places you in an honors course for the next level course.

Some highlights of my very STRONG feelings.


Quote:
Originally Posted by me!
To add on, I highly HIGHLY validating as much as you can. It lowers your course load later as a cadet, and I personally think that the upper level classes are both taught better and more conducive to doing well. I was a chem major and the problems that my 4 digs brought to me blow my mind at just the nonsensical nature of what they are trying to teach. Many times I just couldn't help them. That has happened in Calculus as well. Again, I HIGHLY encourage trying to validate everything you can.
Quote:
Originally Posted by me!
The tests below do not require an additional test while here and an AP score of 4-5 on most will validate you:
English 111 (AP lit or lang)
Quote:
Originally Posted by me!
if you took AP language (first english AP) and received a 5, then you do not need to take the literature exam, either one is good for credit here. I don't think you can validate history. And AP physics C is the only tests that can validate physics here.

Also, the honors classes are a lot of fun. My physics 110h class made trebuchets. My physics 215h teacher last semester explained so many things like LCDs, high performance speakers, and a huge list of things based on the concepts. The semester before me built magneto hydrodynamic drives and raced mini boats with them (which would travel at 20cm/sec). Can't do that in regular classes. Also, the grading curve in honors was based on the regular class. So, the top 2/3s of honors physics got A's and the rest got Bs (30 people). The top twelve? (ten for sure) validated the exam which was nice.

Here's what I validated at USAFA if anyone has specific questions:
Calc 1 and 2 (5 on AP calc BC)
Two semesters of chemistry (5 on AP chem)
Japanese 131/132
Biology 215 (5 on AP Bio)
English 111 (3 on Lang and 4 on lit)
Computer Science 210 (while not involved in the validation, 5 on AP comp sci AB)

And with these came these classes:
honors advanced calc 3
honors physics 110 and 215
honors comp sci 110
Quote:
Originally Posted by me!
Along with raimius, even with my language minor, no 7 class semesters. That is the NORM even WITHOUT a minor.
Caveat: my final semester I overloaded to 7 to take anatomy (which I dropped when I decided to drop my med school application)

For validating. I will qualify, I did go to a very difficult high school. I can say that in truth. As in over 95% go to college, valedictorian at Harvard, other top ten peeps at other Ivies, and just about every AP course was offered there. The norm on the AP exams were above a 3. I had an easier time as a freshman here at USAFA than I had during high school. Including an average of 2-3 hours more sleep a night despite being a 4 dig. I felt less stressed academically (and overall most of the time) at USAFA than in high school. So, yes, validating may not be the best for everyone, but hear me out:

You can drop back down a level if you think you won't be able to handle it. You get into Calc 3 and in a few lessons you are already drowning, so you drop back down to calc 2; can't go the other way. However, you can drop calc 3 at ANY time, including lesson 39 of 40 and it will be erased from your record. You can then retake it (if your major requires) or flat out not take it if you major does not. Chem 222 which is the class you take if you validate the first 2 semesters of chem counts as a whopping 9 credits (because it also includes the two semesters you just validated), but only chemistry majors are actually required to take it. raimius will tell you it is not easy, and if you are not chemistry inclined, it is indeed harder (not as hard as core in my opinion based on the material I saw classmates doing). But, I believe it is also droppable, albeit it must be done earlier.

However, I absolutely, without a DOUBT recommend validating English 111, Bio 215, computer science, and physics as they have no class you must take after completing them. (English 211 is sufficiently different from 111 to warrant saying this).

This is one of my biggest things for future cadets, so if you need ANY clarification, keep asking. More people NEED and SHOULD be educated on these topics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by me!
felt like jumping helped deal with the burdens. When my room mates had to spend 30-45 minutes each night on calc or chem and couldn't do everything else, I felt better not having to spend that same time daily due to the nature of the courses ahead of them.

I know so many people are coming on here and think that not validating will lead to an easy A, that is NOT an accurate thought. Freshman chem and calc are the PRIMARY reason 4 digs and 3 digs are on academic probation. Remember, MOST of these people came in with AP chem and calc under their belts, and so many still ended up on probation or doing very worse than they thought. I won't point out people, and won't expect them to identify themselves, but some CCers on here on on ac pro or not doing as well as they thought despite the credentials that most CCers have! PEOPLE, I REALLY AND TRULY FEEL STRONGER AND MORE SURE ON THIS THAN ANYTHING ELSE I CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK HERE ON CC.

Also, validating will not mean you are stuck in classes with upperclassmen. I took calc 3 and chem 222 with fellow freshman. We all knew each other and it was easy to find help among us when we needed it.

It also says something to me when my old room mates would curse their decision not to attempt to validate and go to advanced classes as they compared what I had to do to what they had to do. Even cadets here wished they would have tried to advance quicker.
Quote:
Originally Posted by me!
pima- I agree, you would think that common thought would dictate taking a second time would help. To be honest, half the stuff that 2010 did in calc/chem looked about as familiar as Chinese to me. They have dumbed down chem for 2011 and got them a better book, but I still think the material is worthless.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bulletandpima
So you are suggesting that if you get a 4/5 on AP you should validate and go one level higher? Out of curiosity, why are they having problems if they took AP and passed?
IRONICALLY, it is for the reason you stated above. The time needed to do well in those classes is not readily available to a 4 dig, unless you are REALLY good at time management, which most are not (I learned once I got here).

The head guy for UC told me when I had him for physical development that I should validate both with my credentials (again, hoping he lives up to his statement).

I am a 3rd degree blackbelt, 2x state champ, ranked 6th in world, won a national competition in Orlando (not national title per se, but at the nationals competition [singaporemom might kill me for not qualifying that ]). Been doing TKD since 1998.[/quote
Biology 215 (AP bio)
Physics 110/215 (AP Physics C, both exams respectively)
Not sure on this, but I think they might (check the site):
Economics (macro and micro i believe)

Require a validation test here (chem requires test and AP test):
Chemistry
Calculus one and two
Foreign languages

Any other current cadets feel free to edit my list if necessary. If you don't have AP physics, there is a validation test offered for that as well (very difficult though).
Quote:
Originally Posted by me!
pima- I agree, you would think that common thought would dictate taking a second time would help. To be honest, half the stuff that 2010 did in calc/chem looked about as familiar as Chinese to me. They have dumbed down chem for 2011 and got them a better book, but I still think the material is worthless.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bulletandpima
So you are suggesting that if you get a 4/5 on AP you should validate and go one level higher? Out of curiosity, why are they having problems if they took AP and passed?
IRONICALLY, it is for the reason you stated above. The time needed to do well in those classes is not readily available to a 4 dig, unless you are REALLY good at time management, which most are not (I learned once I got here).
 
^^Yep!

Validate what you can.

I validated into Calc 3, but decided to take Calc 2 because I hadn't learned a few things (Taylor series, etc). WHAT A MISTAKE! I barely learned anything new, had a fairly miserable time doing it, and it dropped my GPA a little too!

Chem 222 was a rough class for me, but it was only 1 semester of a rough class (when everyone else had 2 semesters).
 
TexasRocks - of course it's not. I was merely trying to get the point across that it's not like some community college that a lot of high schoolers have been used to.

Raimius- agreed. try to validate everything. What's it going to hurt if they say no?
 
4th degrees aren't exactly supposed to listen to music, but is KAFA (the AFA radio station for those who don't know) an exception?
 
4th degrees aren't exactly supposed to listen to music, but is KAFA (the AFA radio station for those who don't know) an exception?

Sure, you can listen to all the 'Character Matters' that your heart desires.
 
Jezzie, what were the workouts like during basic? Were they more difficult to accomplish then you thought they would be? Thanks!
 
How about you just wait and see? I'm assuming you're not going to base your decision to attend USAFA on whether beatings during BCT are challenging but if I'm wrong that's definitely the wrong attitude to start inprocessing with.
 
Sure, you can listen to all the 'Character Matters' that your heart desires.

Maybe it's just my timezone, but I've only ran into that show once out of the many times I feel like listening to kafa on my browser. If that's the only part of it 4*s can listen to though, I guess humming to myself will have to suffice :biggrin:
 
How about you just wait and see? I'm assuming you're not going to base your decision to attend USAFA on whether beatings during BCT are challenging but if I'm wrong that's definitely the wrong attitude to start inprocessing with.
I believe that asko847 directed his question to Jezzie. You may recall that Jezzie offered to answer questions about the "freshman" year at USAFA? Hopefully the questions on this thread don't have to be approved by an anonymous 2nd year USAFA cadet. Otherwise everyone can just "wait and see". :eek:
 
Do first year cadets have time to join a club? Especially the sports ones? And what do you usually do on weekends?

By the way thanks for making this topic!:biggrin:
 
I am a female awaiting appointment. One of my concerns is about my weakness in doing the pullups/flexed arm hang. I've been working on it with only slight improvement. Would I get any help during BCT/1st year in strengthening/improving in this area?
 
Back
Top