Classes.

C/B Lattanzio

C/B Lattanzio

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2012
Messages
99
Hi guys.
I'm just thinking what classes I should pick for next year.
Should I take AP bio or honers physics?
Also should I take per-calc regents or honers? I'm not so sure I can Handle precalc honers and then AP calc.
 
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My two cents. If at all possible, take AP Chem, AP Physics, and AP Calc AB before you are out of HS. Add AP Calc BC if possible. Some of kids at DS's school took precal in the summer after Sophomore year at local University. This allowed them to take AP Calc AB Junior Year, and AP Calc BC and/or AP Stat Senior year. My DS did not do that but he still got AP Chem, AP Physics (switched from AP Bio), and AP Calc AB in. If you are thinking medical, you might want to add AP Bio, but otherwise I suggest you focus on Chem, Physics, and Calc - preferably AP classes for each - because I think these classes tend to be tough.

bandad
 
I'm just scared I can't Handel an AP Chem or AP Physics at this... Maturity, as in I don't study enough.
 
C/B Lattanzio said:
I'm just scared I can't Handel an AP Chem or AP Physics at this... Maturity, as in I don't study enough.
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How bad do you want this? Maybe it's time to start studying harder... even regardless of the classes you take?
 
Honestly, these AP classes are tough in HS, but I suspect that taking Calc, Physics, and Chem at USNA will be tougher with respect to the material, the speed in which it is covered and the limited time you have to study at USNA. If you cannot do it in HS, how do you think you can be successful at USNA? Also, I am guessing that the admissions folks are looking for these courses as well.

My DS has accepted his appointment for 2017 so my knowledge is minimal and from afar. Maybe some current plebes or youngsters can reply about the benefit, or lack thereof, of taking these AP classes in HS.

Lastly, within reason and given your capabilities and other activities, I would encourage you to push yourself to be the best you can be!

bandad
 
Calc
Phys
Chem
Bio

in that order of importance. If you aspire to Engineering heaven, Calc represents the Pearly Gates and you do not pass on Faith alone. Don't know about USNA, but in AROTC an Engineering major is higher on the food chain than a major in Physics or Chemistry.

You should start preparing now unless you have the math gift, which I don't have. DS spent junior year overseas where the high school did not teach calc or pre-cal. Between a free online course and a book, Calculus for Dummies, he went into AP Calc prepared and did well. This summer would be a good time to budget some study time or enroll in a class. It is very easy to get behind in Calc, so get ahead.

DS's HS Calc teacher had one piece of advice, "The only way to get better at Math is by doing Math."

Good luck!
 
I'm just scared I can't Handel an AP Chem or AP Physics at this... Maturity, as in I don't study enough.
Click to expand...

My DS had AP Calc BC, AP Chem, AP Physics C, and AP English Lit his senior year. Previously he had taken five AP courses including AP Stats and AP Bio. It was a long year for him. If you think that you will suddenly develop study skills and discipline when you show up at college in a science or engineering major, you will have a RUDE awakening; at one of the academies, a VERY RUDE awakening.

As Kinnem implies, time to step up to the plate and take a swing!
 
My studying habits were great in high school, but took a huge step backwards for college. If you don't have at least a foundation of good study habits, it may be very painful.

Time management is one of the more important skills to master at USNA or any academy.
 
Take advantage of your early start and spread out the AP courses, and drop Bio unless you are aiming for med school. It sounds as though you need to start working on your study habits as typical high school habits won't stand up in college. NAVY gives you a break plebe year by only giving you about 18 semester hours - to provide you time to keep up with plebe rates and the fact that plebe chemistry is known as one of the toughest freshman chemistry courses in the country! One of the problems you are going to encounter is that there isn't a lot of sympathy since virtually every plebe is taking the same course.
There is a lot of EI help available, but it works best if you recognize you're having trouble in any course and get with the prof early rather than later.
Start working on your study habits now and get used to doing your homework and arranging your priorities to favor academics. If you can't handle high school, you will have a terrible time getting an appointment, and an even worse time hacking the academics at any of the academies. Just the unvarnished truth - you are completing an equivalent five year program in four years.
Best wishes
 
What 1964BGO says is true for any university. My daughter is graduating with an engineering degree from UVa in May. In all her four years, she has never taken less than 18 credit hours. If you know your study habits are lacking, as others have suggested this is the time to prove to yourself and everyone else that you have what it takes. You won't suddenly the summer after your senior year develop the ability to study or have an epiphany and be able to process difficult material quicker/more easily.

I can tell you that my daughter told me that at UVa they covered the entirety of AP Calc I in about the first two weeks of college Calc I. My son (current AFA C/O 2017 appointee) is currently taking Calc II the last semester of his senior year. He took AP Chem, but not AP Bio. I don't know if that would have pleased USNA admissions, but it obviously pleased AFA admissions.
 
So far as USNA is concerned, AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Calc, AP Pre Calc will trump AP Bio or AP Stats everytime. Look at the typical curriculum for USNA and you will get an excellent insight into what is going to do you the most good - especially during the first two years. Also, reading the Admissions site should give you plenty of clues. FOCUS on what will count most for you.
 
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