mom3boys
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Well, as a matter of fact, that is true....especially if you are a non-guy non-athlete. Why not just pick up the phone and call admissions to ask?
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- Thread starter 2012Cadet
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Well, as a matter of fact, that is true....especially if you are a non-guy non-athlete. Why not just pick up the phone and call admissions to ask?
63% of men who applied got in.
63.5% of women got in.
So you're incorrect your chances are better as a girl.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation (I'm not sure this is the correct fallacy, correct me if I'm wrong)
Just because 90% of Cadets are athletes does not mean it makes play a part in admissions. Perhaps 90% of people who apply are on varsity teams. Perhaps it is because to get in you need to be physically fit to be qualified. Perhaps it is because the army is more likely to draw someone who plays a team sport in as opposed to someone who is in their art club.
63.5% of women got in.
So you're incorrect your chances are better as a girl.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation (I'm not sure this is the correct fallacy, correct me if I'm wrong)
Just because 90% of Cadets are athletes does not mean it makes play a part in admissions. Perhaps 90% of people who apply are on varsity teams. Perhaps it is because to get in you need to be physically fit to be qualified. Perhaps it is because the army is more likely to draw someone who plays a team sport in as opposed to someone who is in their art club.
mom3boys
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I am not sure I understand your math logic.
Applicant Files Started 8,938 2,169 11,107
Nominated 3,159 570 3,729
Qualified (academically
& in physical aptitude) 1,759 299 2,058
Admitted 1,109 190 1,299
How do you get those percentages from the above data? If 11,107 files are started, and 1299 are offered admission, that is about 12%.
Applicant Files Started 8,938 2,169 11,107
Nominated 3,159 570 3,729
Qualified (academically
& in physical aptitude) 1,759 299 2,058
Admitted 1,109 190 1,299
How do you get those percentages from the above data? If 11,107 files are started, and 1299 are offered admission, that is about 12%.
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I believe BAJohnson is using the numbers of those admitted versus those who were fully qualified and nominated (the applicants who were actually considered)
M
1109/1759 = 0.630
F
190/299 = 0.635
M
1109/1759 = 0.630
F
190/299 = 0.635
Qualified (academically Men Women Total
& in physical aptitude) 1,759 299 2,058
Admitted 1,109 190 1,299
I looked at the people who were qualified academically and physically. 63.5% of girls who were qualified both academically physically became cadets the following year. 63% of guys who were physically and academically qualified got in. It doesn't make a difference because my point is that without knowing the amount of people qualified you can't determine what it means if you are accepted. You don't know what the numbers say without knowing the breakdown of varsity athletes who were qualified physically and academically.
Hypothetical situation. 50 people are admitted to a college. 100 people are qualified. 90 are athletes. 45 athletes would be admitted.
USMA situation. 1300 people are admitted. 2000 are qualified. X are athletes. 1100 are athletes. Without knowing what X is you can't say that being being an athlete helps more than taking that extra AP class.
& in physical aptitude) 1,759 299 2,058
Admitted 1,109 190 1,299
I looked at the people who were qualified academically and physically. 63.5% of girls who were qualified both academically physically became cadets the following year. 63% of guys who were physically and academically qualified got in. It doesn't make a difference because my point is that without knowing the amount of people qualified you can't determine what it means if you are accepted. You don't know what the numbers say without knowing the breakdown of varsity athletes who were qualified physically and academically.
Hypothetical situation. 50 people are admitted to a college. 100 people are qualified. 90 are athletes. 45 athletes would be admitted.
USMA situation. 1300 people are admitted. 2000 are qualified. X are athletes. 1100 are athletes. Without knowing what X is you can't say that being being an athlete helps more than taking that extra AP class.
Son was given several reasons why varsity letter/captain was important:
1) Demonstrated leadership
2) Physical fitness
3) Demonstrated interest in sports. Sports are a big part of life at the USMA; if you don't play, maybe you don't like them, and if you don't like them, you might not like USMA
4) Team player. Martial arts, cycling, some other sports are somewht less favored because they're for solo athletes who may not pick up on the team ethic at USMA.
Each of these is a valid point, easy to find with a varsity letter/captaincy, but possible to find elsewhere. If you can't play on a varsity team -- you live too far away, you have to work full time, you're a military brat and you've moved five times, classes conflict with practice -- use your MALO and the extra comments section of the explanation to tell the admissions committee, and have some other way to show that you are physically fit enough and a team player enough to succeed at USMA.
1) Demonstrated leadership
2) Physical fitness
3) Demonstrated interest in sports. Sports are a big part of life at the USMA; if you don't play, maybe you don't like them, and if you don't like them, you might not like USMA
4) Team player. Martial arts, cycling, some other sports are somewht less favored because they're for solo athletes who may not pick up on the team ethic at USMA.
Each of these is a valid point, easy to find with a varsity letter/captaincy, but possible to find elsewhere. If you can't play on a varsity team -- you live too far away, you have to work full time, you're a military brat and you've moved five times, classes conflict with practice -- use your MALO and the extra comments section of the explanation to tell the admissions committee, and have some other way to show that you are physically fit enough and a team player enough to succeed at USMA.
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Just_A_Mom
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I read through this thread and - WOW - there are a lot of misconceptions out there about West Point admissions.
I am going to start at the beginning and speak to 2012Cadet.
Questions for you -
1. Are you on the West Point mailing list? If not then go here: http://admissions.usma.edu/startyoung.cfm and register.
2. Only Admissions can tell you if you are competitive or not.
3. Contact admissions and see if there is a MALO in your area or a candidate admissions forum coming near you. If so then go! You can speak to an admissions officer directly.
Your resume half way through high school, the good the bad and the ugly.....
1. Academics - your PSAT's are pretty good. I would have you go ahead and take the SAT's this spring, PSAT's again next fall, SAT winter of junior year. Then you have time to re-take in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year.
Courses - sorry but a 5 in HuGeo doesn't mean much, but that's okay. Take the highest level of courses in core subjects that you can. But don't overload on AP - you don't have to. Just make sure you are well rounded in English, Social Studies, Math and Science and at least 3 years of foreign lang. Aim to be taking Calculus in your Senior year - either AB or BC is fine, depends on how good in math you are.
Science - AP Chem is great - very very time consuming! AP Physics either B or C is okay but forget self studying C. Self studying Psyc is okay.
AP American History and World History are beneficial. AP LAng and Lit - okay. You dont need AP Econ.
Keep up your grades! All A's and B's!
2. Extra-curricular - not including athletics.
Do what you like! Get involved in something and stay involved! It is much better to belong to one club for four years than four clubs for one year each.
Dont just belong - DO! Even if you aren't an officer you can still plan. Form a committee, start a club. It's not enough to get inducted into NHS - organize a food drive or a team for Relay for Life etc...
3. Athletics -
Athletics are extremely important for admissions to West Point. I know a cadet who was sent to prep school for a year because a lack of athletics was a weakness in his application - he was stellar in academics.
There is a reason why over 90% of cadets were varisty athletes. Being an athlete at a high level helps you get qualified. Jumping from sport to sport does not help. Joining a sport to get admitted is not recommended.
mmb5 and mom3boys are correct - if you don't like sports and don't like playing sports then perhaps USMA is not for you.
That said - it's possible to get admitted without sports; but you have to be really, really excellent in the other two areas of Academics and Leadership.
2012Cadet - to be realistic, unless lacrosse is a new sport in your school and your area the likely hood of you making varisty and team captain in your second year of ever playing is not very good. If you join lacrosse this year and like it then stick with it. find a league and play over the summer and fall as well.
You are competing against a whole bunch of kids with academics like yours who play sports. They get the nod over you.
Most of all - keep at it. If you really want to go to West Point, you will probably get there.
2012 cadet, I live in Georgia too.
Going through your stats I'll tell you whats good and what isn't. GPA and Rank are good. GPA doesn't really matter, but your rank is pretty high, especially in that size of a class.
PSAT is good, that'll set you up well with a bit of studying for the SAT.
EC's are not good. It will look terrible to admissions to see that you quit every single sport you started. (I didn't read the previous posts, but noticed some discussion over sports...so I'll leave this one alone)
Awards-- Being a GHP seminfinalist isn't too big of a deal, if you get nominated by your teacher then you are pretty much a semifinalist. And CSLC maybe a good program, never been...but anyone who wants to go can go, its essentially a for-profit organization. I think I've been getting letters from CSLC since 7th grade, its nothing special.
Junior classload--are you sure you're going to be able to handle a load like that? Why do you want to take this stuff over the summer? Why are you self studying AP's? Don't bother self-studying physics. Especially C. By self-studying you are missing the lab aspect. Labs are not only pretty cool, but also pretty beneficial to connecting the ideas together.
So basically this is my conclusion. Your academics are fine for now, they'll probably take a hit if you really plan on following through with your projected schedules, but who knows. You need to pickup athletics! You cant just start them then drop them! Pick up extracurriculars! The only solid one you have is JROTC. Pickup leadership! All you have is the JROTC position. Instead of taking courses over the summer, which isn't necessary...get a job or an internship, IMO so much more beneficial as far as experience goes.
Going through your stats I'll tell you whats good and what isn't. GPA and Rank are good. GPA doesn't really matter, but your rank is pretty high, especially in that size of a class.
PSAT is good, that'll set you up well with a bit of studying for the SAT.
EC's are not good. It will look terrible to admissions to see that you quit every single sport you started. (I didn't read the previous posts, but noticed some discussion over sports...so I'll leave this one alone)
Awards-- Being a GHP seminfinalist isn't too big of a deal, if you get nominated by your teacher then you are pretty much a semifinalist. And CSLC maybe a good program, never been...but anyone who wants to go can go, its essentially a for-profit organization. I think I've been getting letters from CSLC since 7th grade, its nothing special.
Junior classload--are you sure you're going to be able to handle a load like that? Why do you want to take this stuff over the summer? Why are you self studying AP's? Don't bother self-studying physics. Especially C. By self-studying you are missing the lab aspect. Labs are not only pretty cool, but also pretty beneficial to connecting the ideas together.
So basically this is my conclusion. Your academics are fine for now, they'll probably take a hit if you really plan on following through with your projected schedules, but who knows. You need to pickup athletics! You cant just start them then drop them! Pick up extracurriculars! The only solid one you have is JROTC. Pickup leadership! All you have is the JROTC position. Instead of taking courses over the summer, which isn't necessary...get a job or an internship, IMO so much more beneficial as far as experience goes.
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It's not like I don't play a varsity sport...lacrosse. And they'll probably have a letter policy by senior year, if not sooner. As for the captaincy, well, what happens, happens. As for courseload, I'm not the exception at my school...most in my class are taking 4-5 or more APs next year also and participate in at least 1 or 2 sports and more extracurriculars. Its pretty normal and I believe I can handle it. As for the tests, can you not take more than one test in the same day, as long as they are during separate time blocks...don't see any that would overlap.
Answer to first question:
1. Yes, I am signed up already for the mailing list.
I do plan on taking the SAT in spring, PSAT in fall, and SAT junior winter, so good there.
3 years of foreign lang?...thought only 2 were required.
AP HuGeo test not meaning much...yeah, pretty much what I expected, but hey, haven't been able to take others yet, so I'll see what happens.
As for lacrosse...it's in its first year and I am already on the varsity team...will probably most likely letter as soon as they straighten out policy. As far captaincy, very unsure.
I love playing sports and enjoy them. Will probably do a summer/fall/winter lacrosse league next year, so good there.
ECs response: as for quitting wrestling, was just trying it out freshman year and it wasn't for me. As for track, I was forced to quit for lacrosse, which I am better at than track. As for football, I pretty much suck really bad and the program is going downhill (was when I left) and probably won't go back up till well after I graduate. Other than that, am on varsity lacrosse and haven't quit any other ECs and have suck to them and will for my high school years.
GHP semifinalist: not only got nominated, but passed a challenging qualifying test, made it past initial school interviews to get selected and attended county interviews (one below state finalists who selected).
Haven't shown, but am pretty involved active in projects with Beta Club (park cleanup day helper, candy for needy project on halloween, etc.) , Mu Alpha Theta (coat drive, canned food drive, etc.), and am involved well in lacrosse (show up just about every day practices, no matter the weather, am moderately good for first year player, will definitely play on varsity, etc.)
JROTC: am involved heavily in community service through (town event setup helpers, feed the vets day, raise popcorn donations for troops), as well as will join orienteering
Just_A_Mom
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2012Cadet - I am going to be honest with you. Your response is one reason why I generally don't participate in "chances" threads.
You ask for opinions and then when several people offer their outlook, you want to argue.
I understand that you are playing lacrosse and might get a varisty letter. However, you need to fully understand the importance that West Point places on athletes and who you will be competing against. The weakness in your overall package is a lack of sports and a lack of proof that you can compete at a high level. You also state that you:
This doesn't mean you won't get an appointment, but it is a weakness. So, address the weakness and accentuate your strengths.
Academics - Q. Is your school on a semester or year round schedule?
Taking 4-5 AP classes, if they are truly AP classes in one year is not the norm in most high schools. Perhaps you attend a very selective challenging private high school?
I saw 4 kids go through high school and they took AP classes. To take 4-5 or more in one year AND participate on a sport team and other EC's is very challenging.
Foreign Lang - 2 is required but at WP you are required to take a language. Proficiency in a foreign language is valued and continuing in Spanish will enhance your application.
You ask for opinions and then when several people offer their outlook, you want to argue.
I understand that you are playing lacrosse and might get a varisty letter. However, you need to fully understand the importance that West Point places on athletes and who you will be competing against. The weakness in your overall package is a lack of sports and a lack of proof that you can compete at a high level. You also state that you:
Not sure what this means but you should be showing up every day. When my kids played varsity, attendance at practice was mandatory - regardless of the weather. Lacrosse is not an easy game to pick up in a short period of time. To play well required a great deal of skill building.
This doesn't mean you won't get an appointment, but it is a weakness. So, address the weakness and accentuate your strengths.
Academics - Q. Is your school on a semester or year round schedule?
Taking 4-5 AP classes, if they are truly AP classes in one year is not the norm in most high schools. Perhaps you attend a very selective challenging private high school?
I saw 4 kids go through high school and they took AP classes. To take 4-5 or more in one year AND participate on a sport team and other EC's is very challenging.
Foreign Lang - 2 is required but at WP you are required to take a language. Proficiency in a foreign language is valued and continuing in Spanish will enhance your application.
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I don't think it's that far outside of the norm. My kids all attend a large public high school. Probably not particularly competitive - my son will be the first from the school (of about 1800 students) going to an academy since 1983. Haven't known anyone to go to an Ivy while my sons have been there. So maybe as a result of that, they NEED to take those AP classes to have any challenge. Two of my sons have never had less than 2 AP's a year. My current freshman is in AP Calc and AP Chem. Next year he'll take:
AP Calc BC
AP Stats
AP Lang & Comp
AP US History
AP Physics
along with 3 other courses - Honors Band, Honors Biology, and Spanish 4. As a sophomore. He'll also play JV soccer in the fall and tennis in the spring (unless he makes varsity). And a bunch of other activities. Is this the norm? No, but he's certainly not the only one of his classmates taking 3 or 4 AP's next year. My middle son will be a senior and is also taking 5 AP's, but knows of several classmates taking 6. That son will NOT crack the top 20 in the class, let alone the top 10 like his brothers did/can, since he didn't take AP's until this year (junior).
Strangely it seems like my kids aren't overloaded with these class schedules. I was just complaining the other day - "If I have 3 kids with 10 AP/college classes between them, why doesn't anyone ever have any homework?"
- while everyone sat around playing Super Smash Brothers on the Wii again!
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Lacrosse matter: Am I arguing...I merely added information so that you could be better informed so that you and others could better critique me. When you mean by lack of proof I can compete at a high level, does that mean I should be captaincy, all state, award winning amazing athlete. If so, I'm sorry for misunderstanding. I did compete, however on varsity football and track, although never earned a letter. If by lack of sports you mean commitment, I agree...and this is my fault for not seeing the overextenuating circumstances that caused me to not be right for the sport (football and wrestling) or allowed to play those sports (track) again. Otherwise, I'm definitely involved in (no lack) of sports. As for lacrosse in particular, I know for a fact how hard it is to learn first hand, and am definitely involve in betterment myself and the team, and definitely know that it requires great and long practice to get better (trust me, I know it does). My mentioning my attendance is merely a response to show that I'm not halfhearted with lacrosse practice/playing and show I have at least some level of commitment.
Question Answers:
1. Semester schedule, but most APs (and really core classes in general) are signed up for as year round.
2.No, not really....however, it ranks numerously as a top high school in the state for academic stuff like SAT/ACT scores, etc.
I don't think it's that far outside of the norm. My kids all attend a large public high school. Probably not particularly competitive - my son will be the first from the school (of about 1800 students) going to an academy since 1983. Haven't known anyone to go to an Ivy while my sons have been there. So maybe as a result of that, they NEED to take those AP classes to have any challenge. Two of my sons have never had less than 2 AP's a year. My current freshman is in AP Calc and AP Chem. Next year he'll take:
AP Calc BC
AP Stats
AP Lang & Comp
AP US History
AP Physics
along with 3 other courses - Honors Band, Honors Biology, and Spanish 4. As a sophomore. He'll also play JV soccer in the fall and tennis in the spring (unless he makes varsity). And a bunch of other activities. Is this the norm? No, but he's certainly not the only one of his classmates taking 3 or 4 AP's next year. My middle son will be a senior and is also taking 5 AP's, but knows of several classmates taking 6. That son will NOT crack the top 20 in the class, let alone the top 10 like his brothers did/can, since he didn't take AP's until this year (junior).
Strangely it seems like my kids aren't overloaded with these class schedules. I was just complaining the other day - "If I have 3 kids with 10 AP/college classes between them, why doesn't anyone ever have any homework?"
Pretty much the case....much of the taking APs at my public high school is also that below that there is no gifted level for many core classes as was the case in previous years, only honors (which is considered for those middle of the road, average college, not Ivy League/academy, bound students, while CP, or regular classes, are for the most, those that are lazy or who don't plan on going to college).
I give props to your son...AP Calc and Chem (very hard classes) freshman year(beast), and AP Calc, Stat, Lang, History, and Physics sophomore year (pretty advanced)...wish I could have done this.
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Thanks 2012 - I will add that although our district doesn't have a lot of the honors classes, they are fine with allowing you to take whatever you want and just seeing if it works out. My freshman has been taking classes at the high school since 6th grade (only Honors Geometry that year). In 8th grade, the only class he didn't take at the HS was gym! They always suggest you take the harder course and drop down if you want. They allowed my middle son to just skip Spanish 4 this year (into 5) and my younger son to skip junior LA to take an AP Lang & Comp instead. They even tried to talk my oldest son into skipping Spanish 1 and starting in 2 ("eh, you're a bright kid - you can do it!") - we opted not to let him do that one.
v1ctor1ous
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im a junior who got into sls just wondering wat are my chances into getting into west point:
2110 sat 640 cr 800 math 670 writing
3.6 unweighted gpa 4.3 weighted no class rank
this semester i got two c's french 3h and physics b ap
everything else is a's and b's
that i can get b's or a's on if i do good during the second semester
ehap sophmore year, apush physics junior year rest is all honors
two years jazz band
freshman and sophomore class vice president
3 year letter varsity football
4 year varsity track 3 year letter
froshsoph school record holder
really close to varsity school record in the 4x100
i've talked to the coach and he says i have to get a little faster to get recruited
and my congressman evidently writes recommendations to anyone who is qualified
volunteer with a special education school on weekends because my sister
and special olympics volunteer
does race matter? im asian
2110 sat 640 cr 800 math 670 writing
3.6 unweighted gpa 4.3 weighted no class rank
this semester i got two c's french 3h and physics b ap
everything else is a's and b's
that i can get b's or a's on if i do good during the second semester
ehap sophmore year, apush physics junior year rest is all honors
two years jazz band
freshman and sophomore class vice president
3 year letter varsity football
4 year varsity track 3 year letter
froshsoph school record holder
really close to varsity school record in the 4x100
i've talked to the coach and he says i have to get a little faster to get recruited
and my congressman evidently writes recommendations to anyone who is qualified
volunteer with a special education school on weekends because my sister
and special olympics volunteer
does race matter? im asian
tallbutshort
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Maybe my high school isn't normal, but it's a lot more like what JustAMom described. Anyone taking 5 AP classes and doing a varsity sport would probably not sleep. I only have 2 AP and 2 honors classes (this is a heavy schedule at my school) and my average homework load is about 3 hours a night. However, there's been nights where I've literally had 8 hours of homework. And no, I'm not some mediocre student who has to put a lot of extra time into assignments. And yes, I probably should be working on that homework right now instead of being on this website, but everyone needs a break every now and then 
So long story short, that's probably why people are asking you if you can handle such a large load.
So long story short, that's probably why people are asking you if you can handle such a large load.
2014-scada
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Make a difference
v1ctor1us:
it seems you have enough academic, leadership and athletic qualifications to be competitive. However you need to work on your community involvement. Volunteer at the local YMCA or hospital or even the library. Participate or join outreach programs in your school. I am sure your school has service oriented organizations that could use somebody like you...join them and make a difference.
v1ctor1us:
it seems you have enough academic, leadership and athletic qualifications to be competitive. However you need to work on your community involvement. Volunteer at the local YMCA or hospital or even the library. Participate or join outreach programs in your school. I am sure your school has service oriented organizations that could use somebody like you...join them and make a difference.
Maybe my high school isn't normal, but it's a lot more like what JustAMom described. Anyone taking 5 AP classes and doing a varsity sport would probably not sleep. I only have 2 AP and 2 honors classes (this is a heavy schedule at my school) and my average homework load is about 3 hours a night. However, there's been nights where I've literally had 8 hours of homework. And no, I'm not some mediocre student who has to put a lot of extra time into assignments. And yes, I probably should be working on that homework right now instead of being on this website, but everyone needs a break every now and then
Same holds true at my school. The only people that are able to balance a full AP schedule and a sport either skip practice, or have low grades in their classes. There are huge differences in AP classes , atleast in my state. I attend a fairly competitive public school and to pull an A in APUSH is very tough. While a private school 15 minutes away has more A's than B's and C's. I have seen their tests, quizzes and projects and find it comparable to my school's regular US history class. When it comes time for the AP exams, said private school does not usually recieve as many 4 and 5's.
This is why the academies put more emphasis on class rank than in GPA.
Just_A_Mom
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marciemi doesn't fully realize this but her son(s) are far out of range of most top high school students.
My 4 kids took anywhere between 3 and 4 AP's their senior year - just taking 4 AP tests in May is a major feat for a high school senior. It's not like college where you get study days. AP classes at our high school are far and above Honors classes. AP Chem and Physics have a double lab that must be scheduled once a week. Their History and English AP classes required a lot of reading and writing.
Being a two sport varisty athlete, taking a number of challenging AP's, had my kid running from 7 am (jazz band) to dark or later.
v1ctor1ous - I am crawling back in my hole and no longer responding to "chances" inquiries. If I were, however, I would say you have a terrific resume. You have the academics/leadership/athletics that West point is looking for. No more C's!!! Have a great year in track and if you get faster times - send them to the coach! good luck to you!
My 4 kids took anywhere between 3 and 4 AP's their senior year - just taking 4 AP tests in May is a major feat for a high school senior. It's not like college where you get study days. AP classes at our high school are far and above Honors classes. AP Chem and Physics have a double lab that must be scheduled once a week. Their History and English AP classes required a lot of reading and writing.
Being a two sport varisty athlete, taking a number of challenging AP's, had my kid running from 7 am (jazz band) to dark or later.
v1ctor1ous - I am crawling back in my hole and no longer responding to "chances" inquiries. If I were, however, I would say you have a terrific resume. You have the academics/leadership/athletics that West point is looking for. No more C's!!! Have a great year in track and if you get faster times - send them to the coach! good luck to you!
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JAM - while I appreciate the compliment, my objective in posting that wasn't to brag about my kids (really! 
), but to point out that with schedules like that, they AREN'T far out of range or even unusual here. My oldest will graduate in the top 10 (of around 450), but all 10 are within a couple hundredths of one another (only AP's are weighted here), which means they all took a very similar number of AP classes. And they certainly all didn't get all A's - my son had a B- in Calc and several B's and B+'s along the way. Most of these kids are heavily involved in school activities as well as sports. Sounds like 2012's area is much the same - to get the challenges, they need to be in the AP's or they're struggling to stay awake in class and/or not strangle the kid next to them asking the same question for the 30th time because they didn't bother to look at the homework the night before.
I email a lot of other moms from these boards and am always amazed when they tell me their kids are up until 1am doing homework. If my kids ever stayed up until 1am doing homework, it was only because they were playing X-box until midnight first!
And I don't think taking that many exams in May has been a big issue - this year is the first time anyone's ever had a conflict - my son has his AP Gov exam the same time as his last college Organic Chem class so evidently he's missing the last review before that final exam. But they've never had an issue with the AP's themselves not working out. On a totally unrelated note though, I am paying nearly $800 in AP exam fees this May so keep that in mind!
), but to point out that with schedules like that, they AREN'T far out of range or even unusual here. My oldest will graduate in the top 10 (of around 450), but all 10 are within a couple hundredths of one another (only AP's are weighted here), which means they all took a very similar number of AP classes. And they certainly all didn't get all A's - my son had a B- in Calc and several B's and B+'s along the way. Most of these kids are heavily involved in school activities as well as sports. Sounds like 2012's area is much the same - to get the challenges, they need to be in the AP's or they're struggling to stay awake in class and/or not strangle the kid next to them asking the same question for the 30th time because they didn't bother to look at the homework the night before. I email a lot of other moms from these boards and am always amazed when they tell me their kids are up until 1am doing homework. If my kids ever stayed up until 1am doing homework, it was only because they were playing X-box until midnight first!
And I don't think taking that many exams in May has been a big issue - this year is the first time anyone's ever had a conflict - my son has his AP Gov exam the same time as his last college Organic Chem class so evidently he's missing the last review before that final exam. But they've never had an issue with the AP's themselves not working out. On a totally unrelated note though, I am paying nearly $800 in AP exam fees this May so keep that in mind!
Just_A_Mom
10-Year Member
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- Jul 9, 2006
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Certainly having a freshman in high school take AP Chem and AP Calc is far out of the ordinary.
The biggest problem we have around here with the May exams is that our spring sports are in playoffs. My daughter had the district track meet the weekend after 3 AP Exams adn the county meet the weekend before.
That meant she got home from track practice at 8 pm each night - no time to study during the day. Most other activities and EC's are winding down by AP exam time.
Even college students are not moving from 7:30 am - 8 pm with no break during exams.
The biggest problem we have around here with the May exams is that our spring sports are in playoffs. My daughter had the district track meet the weekend after 3 AP Exams adn the county meet the weekend before.
That meant she got home from track practice at 8 pm each night - no time to study during the day. Most other activities and EC's are winding down by AP exam time.
Even college students are not moving from 7:30 am - 8 pm with no break during exams.