Trigonometry?

MAINEiac

USAFA Class of 2015
5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Messages
39
I remember seeing somewhere that USAFA requires a half year of trig, but my school doesn't offer a specific trig class, instead it is worked into the three years of "core" math classes. So even though I have had the equivalent of half a year or more of trigonometry experience it doesn't show up on my transcript that way, it only lists the four math classes that I have had. The thought just crossed my mind during school today and its the cause for todays mini anxiety attack concerning the academy and the BFE haha. Will this effect my application any? Is it too late to notify my counselor, or do I even have to worry about it?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!
 
My son's high school math classes were Alg II, Pre-Calc, AP Calc, Analytic Geometry, Probability & Statistics. No Trig. The Academy is making his travel arrangements to be there for I-day.
 
my classes were geometry algebra 2 precalc and AP calc, no trig and i got a BFE. I think your good if your school doesn't offer it. the same thing goes with computer science.
 
Most schools teach a combination Trig and Pre-Calc lesson from one textbook (usually during Jr. year, but my son took it Soph. year...that depends on the district). When entering it in as a course title, the Pre-Calc is listed, but not always the Trig.
 
Pre-Calc is the "new" term for the "old fashioned" wording of Trigonometry. Some schools still go by Trig, others not. In any case, when your guidance counselor sends in your school's profile it will outline the courses available to students. I wouldn't have any worries about your high school math history ~ you've taken 4 years and that's great!
 
Hmmmmm; Ever wonder why the academy requires a "School Profile" and "Course List"?

I only bring this up because there's a lot of people who ask "WHY" certain things are required in the application process. This is one of those reasons. No 2 states are identical when it comes to education. Hell; many school districts within a state are different than others in the same state. Now you know why it's difficult to simply make appointments. The academy needs to compare apples with oranges and somehow come up with a Fuel Injector. They take this information and find the common denominator. That's why some individual's gpa is adjusted once it's submitted to the academy.

And FWIW: Similar process for home schooled applicants when it comes to academics and athletics. I.e. They look at community sports in place of varsity sports. It's a very complicated process; but when the dust settles, the academy does a pretty good job getting a highly qualified class of cadets. Best of luck..... Mike.......
 
The academy needs to compare apples with oranges and somehow come up with a Fuel Injector.

That's one way to put it. And thanks for the info everyone, I appreciate it! :thumb: Its just that going to USAFA is a dream of mine and I've worked incredibly hard to make myself the best person I can be, in the eyes of the academy and otherwise. Not quite there yet, I don't know if I ever will be, but I'm trying my best anyway! Perhaps I overreacted to something so trivial, but I would just hate to fall victim of a misunderstanding.
 
MAINEac,

i belive that Pre-Cal is Trig. also i think that the academy knows whats entailed in each course and can fiugre it out. i dont see any reason to be worrid, because (if everything i say is wrong) i dont believe they can hold against you what you were never offered
 
I took Pre-Cal, but have heard of kids taking things like Trig, Algebra 3, IB Math, etc which were essentially the same course. They were all a pre-requisite for Calculus so probably no need to freak out.
 
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Straight answer: Don't worry. Everything is OK. The Academy understands those classes you are in and what is built into them.
 
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