USAFA Academic Majors

Can anyone chime in on which academic departments seemed to standout as exceptional at USAFA. In addition, how is the Military and Strategic Studies major?

SAshey said:

Can anyone chime in on which academic departments seemed to standout as exceptional at USAFA. In addition, how is the Military and Strategic Studies major?

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I won't comment on the actual departments because I'm not a student there. However; I know many graduates, including recently, who have had majors in behavioral science, aero, history, biology, mechanical engineering, and military studies. The question isn't: What department stand out as exceptional. This is a military academy. All are exception. The question is: What do YOU want to major in? If the Aero department is the BEST in the world and stands out the most; what does it matter if you don't want to be an Aero major?

It's ok if you don't know what you want to major in, but you'll have time to figure that out. I have 3 degrees and I've taught classes. The one thing I know to be a fact, is that the student makeup and personality of the class, have just as much of an affect on how successful and enjoyable a class is; as the teacher does. I've even seen where when I though a particular class was my favorite, someone else said it was their most miserable. Not trying to make light of your question, but Einstein's relativity is kicking in. The answer is relative to what it is you want to major in and do when you graduate.

But remember; the air force academy isn't known as the Little Engineering School of the Rockies. They didn't nickname it this because of it's history department. But then again; all military academies are very science/math/engineering emphasized. Major what you want to. The class will be what you make of it.

Christcorp said:

The question isn't: What department stand out as exceptional. This is a military academy. All are exception. The question is: What do YOU want to major in?

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But there will be some departments that give one a better experience than others, undoubtedly. For instance, here at CGA the Mechanical Engineering department has a reputation around the Corps for treating it's students poorly. Many who are interested in engineering will instead switch to Civil or NAME since they cover so much similar material. It's a pretty fair question for one to ask when they are a 4/c cadet.

Exceptional Defined?

SAshey said:

Can anyone chime in on which academic departments seemed to standout as exceptional at USAFA. In addition, how is the Military and Strategic Studies major?

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Exceptional in terms of rigor, course offerings, 'favorite' among students, best reputation within the AF, best reputation outside of the AF...etc.?

I too think it is interesting to find out the above. I agree also with another poster who said to major in what you are interested in. BUT if you have competing interests it is nice to know other things about the major and its department, courses and reputation to help you factor into your decision.

S

Major and Classes

Hi
I admit the I would also be interested in major and class selection regardless of what you are interested in. My DS is trying hard to figure out which major he is interested and some incite from students at the air force academy now would be wonderful.
Regards
John

Choosing a major

Your classes your first year (and much of your second year) will be the same regardless of your major. I think most declare their major during the first semester of their sophomore year (at least my son did). Prior to that time, everyone at the Academy will have taken calculus, chemistry, physics, history, english, engineering, a language (and more) no matter their major. So, you'll get a feel for what departments might best suit you. They also have "majors nights" (or something like that) where you go around to tables and talk to people from different departments about the available majors. And, since you (SAshy) will be on the baseball team (right?) you'll have a good chance to interact with upperclassmen who have a variety of majors and will happily fill you in on why they chose what they did. That being said - as others have mentioned, the Acadejmy is probably best known for its engineering degrees (degrees that didn't interest my son even though most of his best grades have been in his math/science/engineering-related classes).

I depends on what you like and are good at. One of my room mates was an aero major, and loved it. He was perfectly happy crunching numbers for hours at a time to find a better aircraft design. I was a mil. history major, and loved that. I thought it was cool that I could go read a bunch of war stories, figure out some influencing factors and how they related, and make an argument about how things influenced the outcomes of battles and wars.

I went to USAFA figuring I would be an aero or military strategic studies guy. I wound up doing neither of those majors. I HIGHLY recommend deciding toward the end of your 4 dig year.

My son who was an Operations Research major (after declaring Physics!), LOVED that major (especially when compared to Physics). My son who stayed in Physics did not LOVE it but stuck with it and is proud that he got through it. Said his GPA would have been a lot higher had he chosen a different major. As it was, he did fine, but could have done better with fewer time-sucking labs.

I am bringing up an old thread rather than starting a new one.

I am thinking about what I want to major in at USAFA (if I get accepted). I want to be a pilot and I know it doesn't matter as much for that. I do well in math and science but I wouldn't want to do it all the time like an engineer. I am sure I will get math and science no matter what major I do, but I would like to do something that has more to do with management or people. Any suggestions?

Have you looked here?
http://www.academyadmissions.com/the-experience/academics/majors/

Kinnem yes I have seen that. I was hoping to get some personal experiences with majors that aren't engineering.