Senior Course Selection- Science!?!?!

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FighterPilotHopeful

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2014
Messages
54
Basic Background:
I attend a suburban mid-western public school that isn't known for its academics by any means. We operate on a 6 class school day as opposed to some 4 or 8 class days. My courses taken appear by year. Please offer any suggestions for Senior-year course selection.

Before HS:
Spanish I
Pre-AP Algebra I
Geometry
Freshman Year:
Pre-AP Biology
Pre-AP Oklahoma History (1 sem)
Personal Financial Literacy (1 sem)
Pre-AP Algebra II
Pre-AP English I
Spanish II
Golf
Leadership
Sophomore Year:
Pre-AP Spanish III (1 sem)
Golf
Leadership
Pre-AP Chemistry
Pre-AP English II
AP World History
Pre-AP Math Analysis (Precalculus + Trigonometry)
Junior Year:
AP Physics I
AP Human Geography
AP Language and Composition
United States History
AP Calculus AB
Golf
Leadership
Senior Year:
Art (To fulfill graduation requirements)
AP LITERATURE
AP GOVERNMENT
AP CALCULUS BC
GOLF
LEADERSHIP
SCIENCE!?!?!?!? AP BIO? AP CHEM? AP ENVIRO?
I've got Pre-AP Bio and Chem under my belt but is this enough? If I take chem, I'll have to drop golf.

Thanks for your advice!!! Sorry to bother you all while the BFE waiting-game is in progress...
 
I'm not absolutely positive, but I believe the Naval Academy only looks at your Freshman-Junior years. I would take a AP Chemistry since the Naval Academy offers a very heavy dose of STEM courses your Plebe year.
 
Don't over think this. Obviously AP, Honors science and math classes, high GPA and top class rank help your competitiveness; BUT there are many other factors that are considered when Admissions decides who they are going offer an appointment (leadership, outside activities, community service, athletics, SAT/ACT scores, competitiveness of candidate's high school, counselor and teacher evaluations, etc., etc.). In the past there have been extremely bright, academic rock stars who have not been selected for appointments since they were too one dimensional.
Remember, it's called a Whole Person Score for a reason.
 
^^^^^

Hmmm...how do you dislike something? :p

Don't worry, I'm certainly not about to diss the Navy! Depending on how everything turns out this spring, I will either be violently disagreeing with you or avidly supporting you! :D
 
Annapolis Bound said:
I'm not absolutely positive, but I believe the Naval Academy only looks at your Freshman-Junior years. I would take a AP Chemistry since the Naval Academy offers a very heavy dose of STEM courses your Plebe year.
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I think you're getting Navy confused with Air Force here. I'm pretty sure Navy looks at senior year as well.
 
FighterPilotHopeful said:
Should I take AP Chemistry if it means that I'll have to drop Golf?
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The decision to drop golf in favor of AP Chem, which is the course I would recommend, is certainly up to you. My opinion though would be to find a way to do both.
 
Pretty sure they look at senior year course load and grades (if necessary). They don't want you slacking off for your final year in high school
 
Annapolis Bound said:
kinnem said:
I think you're getting Navy confused with Air Force here. I'm pretty sure Navy looks at senior year as well.
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I'm almost positive that they only count your Freshman-Junior years.
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They certainly had my son provide senior year info when he was working on his application nearly 4 years ago. i suppose something might have changed. I do know with absolute certainty that USAFA does not look at senior year because Pima has drummed it into my head. :D
No big deal though. Applicants should confirm that for themselves with more authoritative sources than you or I.
 
kinnem said:
They certainly had my son provide senior year info when he was working on his application nearly 4 years ago. i suppose something might have changed. I do know with absolute certainty that USAFA does not look at senior year because Pima has drummed it into my head. :D
No big deal though. Applicants should confirm that for themselves with more authoritative sources than you or I.
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Agreed.
 
kinnem said:
The decision to drop golf in favor of AP Chem, which is the course I would recommend, is certainly up to you. My opinion though would be to find a way to do both.
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See, the AP CHEM/Golf problem arises because at my school, sports is your 6th hour and AP CHEM is only offered during 6th hour.
 
Final senior grades are always required to be sent to the Academy; and bad grades in theory could cause a candidate his or her already existing appointment although I've never heard of that actually happening - at least in the past ten years.

Admissions Board does on occasion request first semester senior grades if there is some question regarding a candidate's academic work ethic and general academic readiness before a final vote is taken regarding academic qualification. Usually not a good sign.
 
Seems to me that most military bases have golf courses. Golf might help out with the whole person score. :) Perhaps you could take AP Chem at a local tech college in the evening.
 
bubalma said:
Admissions Board does on occasion request first semester senior grades if there is some question regarding a candidate's academic work ethic and general academic readiness before a final vote is taken regarding academic qualification. Usually not a good sign.
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Wait you're kidding right? It's usually a bad sign?!
I have stellar grades and got that request this year. I mean I have a low math SAT, but that's it - all high 90's (high 80's for AP Calc). Wow haha, just when I thought waiting couldn't get any more nerve wracking.
 
I would advise AP Chemistry for this reason... According to your class list, you last took Chemistry in your sophomore year. Chemistry is one of the toughest classes the first year at any SA, and having AP Chemistry your senior year in high school will assure that the subject is fresh in your mind.
Concerning golf...is it a varsity sport? Are you (or will you be) a team captain or in a leadership role? Are you (or will you be) selected to a regional or state team? Are you being considered for recruitment to USNA (or other colleges)?
If you were my child, I would recommend AP Chemistry, and then consider what you already have accomplished/can accomplish in golf. Perhaps your goals in golf can be accomplished on a non-high school team, or on your own. However, I don't know much about golf, as my two DDs were recruited for other sports.
 
I completely agree with @alaska66 - take AP Chem unless you are a team captain/regional level player in golf and it will help you demonstrate leadership and extra commitment to an activity in which you are highly accomplished. (And in that case, take AP Bio instead - not AP Enviro.) I also agree that if you can do both (by pursuing competitive golf outside of school), by all means - do. DS chose two years of AP Physics, not AP Chem, and has an appointment, so NOT taking AP Chem won't necessarily hurt you - but Chem is a tough and required course at USNA and having just completed it could only be helpful as a plebe.

Senior year classes are definitely looked at (at least for applicants who complete their application after senior year starts) - on DS's LOA, the Dean of Admissions wrote a specific comment about continuing to work hard in AP Calc, which DS is taking as a senior.

Best of luck.
 
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