Dropped out of AP

Hello, I recently dropped out of AP Physics because of many factors (teacher, it not being right for me, not getting a solid A, etc.). I dropped out in the middle of the 2nd quarter and I'm wondering if USNA would hold it against me. Will dropping out look poorly for my admission chances or would it look the same as if i took the regular class from the get-go? Thanks

It depends on what your transcript shows. They will see the transcript and nothing else.

They will probably not know, unless your Math / English teacher include a comment in their Recommendations. That being said, dropping a class because you aren't getting a solid A, you don't like the teacher, or any of myriad of other excuses is not the best way to prepare for college level academics.

If you were struggling in the class, its best to drop it and protect your GPA. AP classes are not recognized by the SAs, however you need them to boost your class ranking.

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AP classes are not recognized by the SAs

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They certainly are looked at by USNA. First, USNA stresses that they don't look at GPA...it is a combination of class rank AND rigor (i.e. how many challenging courses were taken -- honors, AP, IB, etc.). Second, the guidance counselors are asked if more challenging courses were attempted by the candidate in their online form. Third, certain AP scores do qualify for validation at USNA. Bottom line, AP courses ARE recognized by USNA.

As DrMom mentioned...if it shows on the transcript as attempted but dropped/not completed...that might draw some lingering questions. tellonator...I assume you are a junior? If so, I would be prepared to talk about it at the BGO interview or potentially have that addressed when the guidance counselor submits his/her form (if it is reported on the transcript). Are you enrolling in honors or regular physics?

tug_boat said:

AP classes are not recognized by the SAs,

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I am not sure where you found this information but I can tell you that it is false. If you look at the Naval Academy website you can find this.

I can also validate that as of the Class of 2020 they are taking AP and College credits into consideration. DS is currently, a plebe that came out of high school with a large amount of AP and Dual Credit classes (enough to earn an Associates Degree) and while he still has to do 4 years like everyone else he was able to skip numerous classes. He is working with his counselors to manage his schedule and at the moment it is looking like he will be double majoring but even with a double major he is able to take a lighter course load than most his plebe year which is very helpful.

As stated above not only do AP classes help with admissions but if you take the right ones they can impact your overall academy experience.

Navy Dad said:

AP and College credits into consideration.
As stated above not only do AP classes help with admissions but if you take the right ones they can impact your overall academy experience.

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Yes, and no. They may be taken into "consideration", depending on how you are defining that, but AP and college credits do not transfer which is what tugboat was referring to.

While AP classes enhance a candidate's application on the academic side and in that sense are "taken into consideration" and "help with admissions" along with subsequently allowing for the potential opportunity to validate classes they nevertheless are not recognized. Yes, they may impact the academic experience in terms of hours taken or advancing faster in a major etc. much like a candidate who has taken a year's worth of college credits who may be permitted to attempt validation on some courses or repeat them.

Navy Dad said:

I am not sure where you found this information but I can tell you that it is false. If you look at the Naval Academy website you can find this.

I can also validate that as of the Class of 2020 they are taking AP and College credits into consideration. DS is currently, a plebe that came out of high school with a large amount of AP and Dual Credit classes (enough to earn an Associates Degree) and while he still has to do 4 years like everyone else he was able to skip numerous classes. He is working with his counselors to manage his schedule and at the moment it is looking like he will be double majoring but even with a double major he is able to take a lighter course load than most his plebe year which is very helpful.

As stated above not only do AP classes help with admissions but if you take the right ones they can impact your overall academy experience.

Click to expand...

IB/AP classes are a double edge sword. Most high schools across our great nation do not offer IB/AP classes. In the schools that do not offer these courses, the highest GPA a student can acquire is a 4.0. The more competitive high schools do offer IB/AP courses and a student GPA (theoretically) can reach a 5.0.

This is the purpose of of the ACT/SAT standardized testing. It gauges how "likely" a student will graduate a college when they attend the collage of their choosing. (This is why college standardized testing varies)

So if a high school offers IB/AP courses, (technically college basic levels courses), a student can get a higher GPA and higher class ranking than a student who does not in the same school. If a student is accepted into a college that accepts these credits from the high school accreditation then they apply the credits. If a student has a sound foundation in the hard sciences and math in high school then they should have a higher success ability.

SA accepts applications from all corners our country and rely heavily on GPA, class rank and ACT/SAT results. A first year, midi like other SA can challenge/validate the courses and climb the ladder faster than those who must take "dumbbell english 101". All accredited college have a class curriculum that must be followed to fulfill minimum qualification in order to graduate in the major there are seeking and SA are not exempt. If a student from an SA decides to leave after the two year mark, they may apply their college credits to another college if they continue. I have never heard of SA accepting college credits from another school unless they are cross branching, as example a USMMA crossing into USNA.

For our readers, if your school offers IB/AP classes, take them! You will build a strong foundation for the college you are seeking to attend. Remember, this will also open many doors for your Plan B!

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