AP classes

Sheaisland

Sheaisland

5-Year Member
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Dec 19, 2013
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Hey guys, I'm going to be a junior next year and AP classes will be offered, this year all I could take was honors classes. I was recommended for AP US history, and AP English. I'm, also, thinking about taking AP US Government. Does anyone have experience with these classes? Difficulty (obviously, all APs are hard)? Work load? And how USNA will view these classes? Any information at all is helpful!!!:smile:
Thank you
 
The more AP classes you take (and do well in), the better. AP Gov't is usually a senior class, isn't it? (My DS is currently taking it.) How about Math and Science classes, since Calc/Chem/Physics are classes you will take Plebe year.
 
I'm taking both of these courses as a Junior this year.
AP English isn't that challenging, it's more in depth critical reading and writing than anything else. My teacher has a very different teaching style than others in the country, but nonetheless the class gives a manageable level of work.
AP US History, on the other hand, is a whole lot of work. Be prepared to be diligent about dates, concepts, people, and how they all relate to each other on a very in depth level.
The academy says 4 years of English and World/US/European History so both of them are good classes to take and right on track with what the Academy looks for.
Also, from what I've heard AP US Gov can be used to validate out of a plebe(?) class but it's not essential.
 
Thanks for the feed back,
At my school government is available junior and senior year, and I would not be able to take AP Chem or AP pre Calc because it is not offered unless you take the honors course first (kind of weird)
Thanks for the help though
 
DS had APUSH and it was definitely a lot of work. Both of his AP English classes had a decent amount of work but not terrible. AP Gov is easy.
 
I'm a senior in AP Gov currently, and its one of my easiest classes. My teacher went to Georgetown and loves Government, but the material is pretty common knowledge. APUSH is difficult, but certainly doable and one of the most interesting classes I took my Junior year. I had a first year teacher for APUSH and we didn't come close to finishing the book. I also took AP Lang Junior year and it really prepared me for ACT and SAT Reading. I got a 4 on the Lang exam, 2 on APUSH, haven't taken Government exam yet. I recommend taking all these classes, plus some math/science (AP Stat or AP Calc maybe?) for USNA application.
 
Thanks,
I plan on taking AP Calc and AP physics my senior year, Not sure why my schools requirements for AP Chem are so weird, thanks for clearing it up, I'm just a little nervous because I've never taken an AP Class before and jumping into 3 might be hard. I'm good student though (atleast I think so ;) ) and think I can do it, just a little intimidating when none of your friends are taking them.
 
For me as a senior, one of the classes I'm taking is AP US Gov & Politics. Easiest class ever, not to mention that it is very interesting (at least to me). For this class specifically, the difficulty may depend on the school/teacher. Another poster who is a Mid said that the AP Gov test or validation is used to validate the class "US Constitution" at USNA. He also said that "US Constitution" is really boring and time-draining, so try to validate for it.
 
My DS is signed up for 5 AP classes for his senior year. His GC said that 5 was the max he would let him sign up for. All selective colleges will look favorably on this type of course load.
 
DS took AP US History (APUSH) sophomore year then AP US Government junior year and is planning on AP Comparative Government senior year. I wouldn't stress if your school doesn't offer as many options as some school districts across the country with regard to AP choices.

Sheaisland,
To answer your original question:
I think the key is to ensure you are on the most challenging track you can be on that works within your schedule.
 
Sheaisland said:
Thanks,
I plan on taking AP Calc and AP physics my senior year, Not sure why my schools requirements for AP Chem are so weird, thanks for clearing it up, I'm just a little nervous because I've never taken an AP Class before and jumping into 3 might be hard. I'm good student though (atleast I think so ;) ) and think I can do it, just a little intimidating when none of your friends are taking them.
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For many AP classes you can count on a lot of reading outside the classroom. Not saying you can't do it. Many do. But you can get a handle on it yourself by talking to the AP teachers or students and get a feel for the coursework in each of the classes you plan on taking. Take some initiative sailor! :thumb:
 
Take AP US Government, AP English (either one), and AP World History with either AP US or Euro. As a STEM major, I am of the opinion that the humanities core courses are pretty miserable.

And the more stuff you validate, the better your life will be.

If you think taking AP courses is going to be difficult for you, remember that USNA courses are just as difficult (or more difficult), paced twice as fast, and bundled together with all the fun times of plebe year and time restrictions of being a mid (Oh, you have tons of work to do tonight? Forrestal Lecture). And you will take five or six of them, along with a PE course. Challenge yourself not just because it looks good for Admissions, but because taking a bunch of difficult classes, struggling to manage your time, and never quite having enough sleep is going to be your life at USNA.
 
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Thanks for the awesome response, and your opinion from being there. It's super helpful (also thank you for your current service). I'm pretty positive I'm going to take those three classes next year, I'm very motivated. In my senior year I'll be set up to take five AP classes so hopefully it will help me get somewhat (obviously not very close) to the life there.
Thanks once again
 
I will be a Senior next year and I'm will be taking Physics, Chem II (because they don't offer AP Chemistry here), AP Economics and US Government, German IV (they also do not offer AP German) Pre-Calculus (from what I've heard is ill get put in a harder math class if I take Calculus AP) English Literature AP, and last but not least Biology AP. As you can tell yes my Senior Year will be a retribution for the lack of AP classes I have this year. So far how do I look in cases of rigor????


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kdog15g said:
I will be a Senior next year and I'm will be taking Physics, Chem II (because they don't offer AP Chemistry here), AP Economics and US Government, German IV (they also do not offer AP German) Pre-Calculus (from what I've heard is ill get put in a harder math class if I take Calculus AP) English Literature AP, and last but not least Biology AP. As you can tell yes my Senior Year will be a retribution for the lack of AP classes I have this year. So far how do I look in cases of rigor????
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Assuming that's the heaviest load you can take, and I suspect it is, you're in fine shape. You can only build upon where you have been.
 
I'm pretty sure the sheer amount of apush reading was what got me a 36 on the reading portion of the ACT... Get prepared for some long nights!
 
Sounds like it comes with some good benefits, and some tiring ones haha, LJM did you take other AP classes with it?
 
Another suggestion, ask upperclassmen about their teachers! The teachers are a big part of wether or not youll do well in the class
 
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