Lack of AP Classes Offered

Navy2023

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2018
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11
Hello,

How does USNA evaluate candidates that come from smaller schools that do not offer many AP classes? My school has around 500 students but only offers three AP classes (AP Psychology, Calculus AB, and Literature/Composition). I have taken the most challenging classes that are offered (all honors), but instead of offering more AP classes my school has dual-enrollment classes with a nearby state university that from my understanding won't transfer. My school is not falling behind by any means academically as around 25% of the graduating class scores 30 or above on the ACT. The main question is will my school's lack of nationally recognized courses hurt my admissions packet?
 
No, it will not. USNA recognizes that all schools are not created equally. This is not something you can control, but here’s something you can: Take the hardest classes your school does offer, starting with those three AP courses. Ace each and every one of them. Explore more thoroughly the ability to take college courses. There...that’s the best you can do and USNA will know it. They’ll use your school’s profile, your transcript and your class rank to score your academic record. Best wishes to you.
 
Hello,

How does USNA evaluate candidates that come from smaller schools that do not offer many AP classes? My school has around 500 students but only offers three AP classes (AP Psychology, Calculus AB, and Literature/Composition). I have taken the most challenging classes that are offered (all honors), but instead of offering more AP classes my school has dual-enrollment classes with a nearby state university that from my understanding won't transfer. My school is not falling behind by any means academically as around 25% of the graduating class scores 30 or above on the ACT. The main question is will my school's lack of nationally recognized courses hurt my admissions packet?

Your guidance counselor will probably also have to send them a school profile. This will tell them exactly what your school offers, so they cannot hold that against you if the option isn’t there.
 
Yep, not a problem. Our school consortium offers no AP classes or no dual-enrollment classes at all, but offers a high caliber honors program. They send kids to all of the service academies every year. DS even got an LOA to USNA, so it was a non-issue.
 
Not a problem at all... I am a BGO in a largely rural state, where many Candidates come from rural school with limited opportunities for AP, and they get admitted and do well at USNA. Take the most rigorous curriculum your school has to offer, continue to cross enroll, and get good ACT/SAT scores.
 
Thank you all for the fast responses.
This is slightly off topic, but will only being able to validate two of the AP courses place me behind classmates that are able to validate many APs? It is my understanding that validating courses takes off a lot of academic load. Will most plebes from large schools validate many courses?
 
Thank you all for the fast responses.
This is slightly off topic, but will only being able to validate two of the AP courses place me behind classmates that are able to validate many APs? It is my understanding that validating courses takes off a lot of academic load. Will most plebes from large schools validate many courses?
Many plebes validate nothing and do just fine. USNA does not take APs in every subject so lots of plebes who did take APs don't get any schedule reduction.
 
School size has little to do with whether one validates a course at USNA. And as @OldRetSWO noted, most plebes don’t validate courses.

AP test score is only one way to validate a course. Validation test during plebe summer is the other way. While validating does open up options down the road, validating too many courses can make for a torturous plebe year. The regular sequence is hard enough; now think about taking the second or even the third course in a sequence for Calculus or Chemistry or English. Ouch! It’s done...just not necessarily a pleasant experience.

By the way, you’re putting the cart way ahead of the horse. Receiving offer of appointment is a long and complex process. Take it one step at a time.
 
Thank you all for the fast responses.
This is slightly off topic, but will only being able to validate two of the AP courses place me behind classmates that are able to validate many APs? It is my understanding that validating courses takes off a lot of academic load. Will most plebes from large schools validate many courses?

+1 @OldRetSWO - this is the time to stop worrying about how other plebes may have scored on validation tests - these tests are to make sure that each plebe is placed in the correct course to help increase their chance of success at the academy. All midshipmen, regardless of how many courses they validate, have the same opportunity for success at USNA - just embrace the opportunity and strive to do your best.
 
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