Senior Year Advice

tlfrancis289

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2019
Messages
74
Hello all,

As my senior year approaches, we are choosing classes. I have been part of a select chorus group (it is a class at my school) since freshman year. Right now, I have to option to take that for senior year, or AP Chemistry or Physics. My overall GPA in science is a 3.857 unweighted, as I earned a B in first-semester Chemistry, but have earned all A's since then. (Biology, Chemistry, IB Biology HL, AP Environmental Science) My weighted science GPA is a 4.286. Should I continue with my chorus (I really enjoy it and the people and my teacher) or take AP Chem or Physics? Any help is accepted and want to say thanks for reading this. I'll be attending USNA Summer Seminar and USCGA AIM this summer!
-Tom
 
Not sure why those two option are mutually exclusive, maybe just a logistics issue? Chemistry and Physics are both challenging classes in year 1, the more exposure to these subjects the better. It is also important to continue to do the things you love. In terms of admissions, they would look favorably on the applicant that continues in chorus and maintains and thrives in a STEM-like schedule. So I guess the answer is "Yes". Note - please ask the moderator to change your user name - anonymous is best.
 
Do you really want to go to an elite TECHNICAL university/academy? Remind yourself of that fact and then reread your question.

I've been very involved with Service Academy admissions for decades now and have seen a lot of candidates who tried their best to be competitive.
If I'm not being clear here, taking and doing well on advanced TECHNICAL courses is a plus. Art/music/etc are nice to have IN ADDITION to the
technical courses.
 
Not sure why those two option are mutually exclusive, maybe just a logistics issue? Chemistry and Physics are both challenging classes in year 1, the more exposure to these subjects the better. It is also important to continue to do the things you love. In terms of admissions, they would look favorably on the applicant that continues in chorus and maintains and thrives in a STEM-like schedule. So I guess the answer is "Yes". Note - please ask the moderator to change your user name - anonymous is best.

Thank you very much for your advice. I am a full IB DP student, so there are a required amount of classes I must take. Choir is the only slot in my schedule to allow for an elective course.
 
Do you really want to go to an elite TECHNICAL university/academy? Remind yourself of that fact and then reread your question.

I've been very involved with Service Academy admissions for decades now and have seen a lot of candidates who tried their best to be competitive.
If I'm not being clear here, taking and doing well on advanced TECHNICAL courses is a plus. Art/music/etc are nice to have IN ADDITION to the
technical courses.

Thank you. Attending an academy has been my dream since I was very young. I am a full IB student and love stem. I have taken Biology, Chemistry, IB Biology HL, Health Science 1, Computer Sci 1, and AP Environmental Science as well as IB Environmental Systems and Society SL. I was thinking that because of my stem related curriculum, it would be OK to continue with choir. What do you think I should do?
 
https://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/the-application-process/academic-performance/

https://www.academyadmissions.com/a...plicants/all-applicants/academic-preparation/

Clearly you’re interested in many of the SAs, given your posting of the same question about your senior schedule across various SA forums.

The links above are what USAFA recommends - and they caveat that they will take into account various programs such as IB - to be “academically competitive” for appointment.

No one here has official standing to tell you what to do. While opinions offered by anonymous posters here on the internet may offer perspective and insights, don’t skip using primary resources to research answers to help you decide.

Have you considered using 19th c. tech, the telephone, asking to speak to an Admissions counselor, using thoughtfully prepared questions, with your records at your fingertips and cross-matched with USAFA recommendations, and having an adult discussion with someone who is actually in Admissions? They will not be surprised by this question - it will be common across the entire applicant pool.
 
I thought I was loosing it ...thought I had answered. Forgot about cross posting. It’s been a long day.

To OP: not sure if the advice of which class to take depends on the SA, but you best bet, again is to contact admissions.
 
Why did you take AP Env Science instead of Physics?
If I was going to a STEM college I would definitely get Physics in and not have the first time I am exposed to it be in college.

Could you take physics over the summer?
 
Take choir in the summer at the community college? It should be more complex than your high school class.
 
Take Choir. Enjoy it! Not every class has to be for transcript padding. Everyone needs a class to let of steam and release the pressure.
 
Also consider AFROTC, where you have a lot more latitude in majors, less insistence on technical coursework and still have a direct path to a commission.
 
Back
Top