My DS will be a Junior in HS next year and is having to register for his classes this month. His options are AP Chemistry, AP English- Language and Composition or AP U.S. History. He can only take 2 of these - all his other classes are college-prep, and the one course he does not choose from the list above will also be a college prep. Does anyone have any insight as to which 2 would be of most benefit to him? Thank you!
High School Jr. Class Schedule Question
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LodgeChief2011
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Because of the academy's heavy emphasis on math and science (they want you to have a strong background in chemistry,physics, and higher maths) he should definitely take AP Chemistry. The other two are also great courses to have, either one would be fine. I am not an academy expert, but I am sure many more people will give you their input.
LodgeChief2011
LodgeChief2011
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I would def. do AP Chem.
The fact is they will look at the rigor of their course load and the school profile too. If he takes the most rigorous course load available it will help him. I would probably take APUSH with it, because it is one of the easier AP classes.
That being stated remember not to get tunnel vision. It is great to have the AFA as a goal, but keep your mind open to all options, so also look at what is good for their plan B.
2 yrs ago none of these cadets as a rising junior knew that their class size would be reduced by @20%. You don't know the future, and so much more goes into the equation than just academics.
You can be valedictorian, but no EC's and you will not be sitting pretty.
It is a WHOLE student approach. That means taking a rigorous course load and having ECs. Too many times on this forum do we read, I never played a sport, and they are rising srs. That hurts them.
Academics is 60%, you can score 100% on that, but only 20% on the remaining 40. In the end, that would make you non-competitive.
Also, the one thing candidates and parents forget is that medical is an issue. The DoDMERB forum doesn't exist for any other reason than it is highly needed. Make sure, that you are prepared for them to go through a rigorous medical eval. This is not a sports or yrly physical where you are out in 30 minutes. This is their entire medical history, and everything from their ears to their toes are checked.
Let's be honest you need a waiver for braces (always granted, but still a waiver).
As a realtor I always say don't be too busy jumping over the nickels to pick up the pennies. In other words everything matters.
The fact is they will look at the rigor of their course load and the school profile too. If he takes the most rigorous course load available it will help him. I would probably take APUSH with it, because it is one of the easier AP classes.
That being stated remember not to get tunnel vision. It is great to have the AFA as a goal, but keep your mind open to all options, so also look at what is good for their plan B.
2 yrs ago none of these cadets as a rising junior knew that their class size would be reduced by @20%. You don't know the future, and so much more goes into the equation than just academics.
You can be valedictorian, but no EC's and you will not be sitting pretty.
It is a WHOLE student approach. That means taking a rigorous course load and having ECs. Too many times on this forum do we read, I never played a sport, and they are rising srs. That hurts them.
Academics is 60%, you can score 100% on that, but only 20% on the remaining 40. In the end, that would make you non-competitive.
Also, the one thing candidates and parents forget is that medical is an issue. The DoDMERB forum doesn't exist for any other reason than it is highly needed. Make sure, that you are prepared for them to go through a rigorous medical eval. This is not a sports or yrly physical where you are out in 30 minutes. This is their entire medical history, and everything from their ears to their toes are checked.
Let's be honest you need a waiver for braces (always granted, but still a waiver).
As a realtor I always say don't be too busy jumping over the nickels to pick up the pennies. In other words everything matters.
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I would go with the AP Chemistry and the AP English - Language and Composition. APUSH is a good thing to have, too, but if you have to make a decision, I think the Language and Composition will help more at USAFA. You will write papers in every class, including mathematics classes. Having a good background in writing skills will be helpful.
Stealth_81
Stealth_81
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I agree about AP English, but as someone who worked in the school system, they are a rising jr. which means they can also take it as a sr.
Taking APUSH or APGOVT as a jr will allow them to take the other as a Sr. This would than allow them to take APENG as a sr.
My opinion would be different if they were a rising SR., but rising JR., still gives them that time to take more APs.
Additionally, unless your child is strong in writing, taking both APENG and APUSH can turn out to be a negative as a jr. The reason why is most require a lot of essays and term papers. Add that on top of Honors Foreign language, and they can spend a large portion of their life writing papers every week as a jr.
Honestly, talk to the GC. They know the teachers. They know the curriculum that the school will adhere by regarding AP classes. They know your child. If they don't know the SA's explain to them that they are IVY league caliber engineering schools, where candidates not only apply to them, but schools like HYSPPM.
They will get the AHA moment and be able to direct you from there.
AGAIN, remember getting into the AFA or any SA is not just academics.
Taking APUSH or APGOVT as a jr will allow them to take the other as a Sr. This would than allow them to take APENG as a sr.
My opinion would be different if they were a rising SR., but rising JR., still gives them that time to take more APs.
Additionally, unless your child is strong in writing, taking both APENG and APUSH can turn out to be a negative as a jr. The reason why is most require a lot of essays and term papers. Add that on top of Honors Foreign language, and they can spend a large portion of their life writing papers every week as a jr.
Honestly, talk to the GC. They know the teachers. They know the curriculum that the school will adhere by regarding AP classes. They know your child. If they don't know the SA's explain to them that they are IVY league caliber engineering schools, where candidates not only apply to them, but schools like HYSPPM.
They will get the AHA moment and be able to direct you from there.
AGAIN, remember getting into the AFA or any SA is not just academics.
Thank you ALL! AP Chem it is! As for the other..he can (and probably will) take AP Eng senior year but then it's Lit and Composition vs Language/Composition, not sure if that matters. Also he will take AP CAlculus as a Sr. The AP Chem takes the place of 2 classes so DS will have to drop Concert Band- although I hate to see an EC go by the wayside. I see both sides with the Eng vs USHis. Will have him also talk to counselor.
Funny you mentioned Honors Foreign Lang, Pima. He'll be taking Coll Prep German 3 as well... You are so right abt his life being devoted to writing papers!
Thank you for not letting me lose sight of ALL the other criteria needed to be competitive. He seems to be doing ok with EC and leadership, but that's coming from a mom not an admissions counselor 
Will continue to monitor it. The medical you talk about certainly gets my attention. He currently wears braces, so at least 1 waiver is in our future.
Funny you mentioned Honors Foreign Lang, Pima. He'll be taking Coll Prep German 3 as well... You are so right abt his life being devoted to writing papers!
Thank you for not letting me lose sight of ALL the other criteria needed to be competitive. He seems to be doing ok with EC and leadership, but that's coming from a mom not an admissions counselor Will continue to monitor it. The medical you talk about certainly gets my attention. He currently wears braces, so at least 1 waiver is in our future.captaintexas
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Would an AP Biology II class look better than Advanced Anatomy & Physiology? My school doesn't offer a Physics class or a second level Chemistry class.
And if I already have a government class would an AP Government class look good or would that be too much?
Also on a quick unrelated note- I don't play sports in school, but I am a Red Belt in Tae Kwon Do. And I compete in tournaments in that. I should rise to an even further belt by the time I attend the Academy. I'm in Marching Band, and will be Drum Major next year. Will my lack of real sports be a terrible thing, even if I can keep up physically on the tests and such?
And if I already have a government class would an AP Government class look good or would that be too much?
Also on a quick unrelated note- I don't play sports in school, but I am a Red Belt in Tae Kwon Do. And I compete in tournaments in that. I should rise to an even further belt by the time I attend the Academy. I'm in Marching Band, and will be Drum Major next year. Will my lack of real sports be a terrible thing, even if I can keep up physically on the tests and such?