Academic planning

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PG#7

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Mar 28, 2020
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Hi guys, I’ve been a lurker here on the board for a while and have gained some helpful insights. I will be a 2025 graduate at a small rural school in Louisiana. My goal is to serve my country as an officer in one of our branches. I currently have a 3.9 gpa but I am concerned about class offerings at school. Due to its size, my school doesn’t offer any AP classes. The highest math offered is advanced math 2 and the highest science is chemistry. Will the lack of advanced classes put me at a disadvantage? I’ve talked to my parents about possibly taking some college level classes at a nearby community college, but I’m not sure the impact it would have. Obviously this will happen after I take the ACT.

So far, the rest of my activities are decent. I’m a 2 sport athlete (cross country and baseball) who would like to play baseball at an academy. I have made contact with the coaches at three of the academies and I am staying in touch. I’m the secretary of my class, am a member of numerous clubs, am a leader in my youth group (occasionally leading the lessons), and I am on track to receive my Mitchell in CAP. I am sorry for being long-winded, but I wanted to give an outline of where I’m at. Will the lack of AP and higher stem-related classes hurt my application?
Thanks guys, I look forward to the input..
 
As part of the review process, the SAs will have your school profile, which shows which classes are offered. You won’t be penalized for not taking classes that your school doesn’t offer. Best advice is to take the hardest classes your school has to offer — especially in STEM and English — and excel at them.
 
PG#7 said:
Hi guys, I’ve been a lurker here on the board for a while and have gained some helpful insights. I will be a 2025 graduate at a small rural school in Louisiana. My goal is to serve my country as an officer in one of our branches. I currently have a 3.9 gpa but I am concerned about class offerings at school. Due to its size, my school doesn’t offer any AP classes. The highest math offered is advanced math 2 and the highest science is chemistry. Will the lack of advanced classes put me at a disadvantage? I’ve talked to my parents about possibly taking some college level classes at a nearby community college, but I’m not sure the impact it would have. Obviously this will happen after I take the ACT.

So far, the rest of my activities are decent. I’m a 2 sport athlete (cross country and baseball) who would like to play baseball at an academy. I have made contact with the coaches at three of the academies and I am staying in touch. I’m the secretary of my class, am a member of numerous clubs, am a leader in my youth group (occasionally leading the lessons), and I am on track to receive my Mitchell in CAP. I am sorry for being long-winded, but I wanted to give an outline of where I’m at. Will the lack of AP and higher stem-related classes hurt my application?
Thanks guys, I look forward to the input..
Click to expand...
If you are taking the hardest classes your school offers, that reflects well. The SAs will receive a school profile from your guidance counselor - they know applicants attend a wide range of schools in terms of what’s available. They are looking for a well-rounded, STEM-capable, physically fit, leadership-minded individual.

Talk to your guidance counselor about any creative options there might be - remote participation with another school in a higher math? Dual enrollment in a virtual course at a community college?

There are accredited online academies many homeschoolers use to take advanced courses - do some searching there. I wouldn’t know what to recommend, but perhaps others here will have recommendations.

Khan Academy online has free self-study courses and excellent SAT prep.

My mind even ranged to is there a retired math teacher in your area who would delight in taking you on as a tutee to give you some foundation, even though it wouldn’t be accredited, but could be documented and provided to USAFA - shows drive and resourcefulness.

Show the GC the USAFA academic requirements page at link below and brainstorm.
www.academyadmissions.com

Academic Requirements | U.S. Air Force Academy

Academic requirements for admission to the Air Force Academy are based on academic record transcript and college admissions tests (SAT or ACT scores).
www.academyadmissions.com www.academyadmissions.com

During this process, you should be developing alternate plans should you need them. That may include AFROTC at college where you will get the needed math and other courses as a freshman, and re-apply to USAFA, if that is still your desire. Or a community college, and focus on excelling in the courses you might lack.

You are not limited to 1 throw of the dice. You have a few years before you age out. Many re-applicants make up each USAFA incoming class.

Keep working at figuring out how to surmount obstacles. Great essay material!

Let us know how it goes.
 
Last edited:
PG#7 said:
Hi guys, I’ve been a lurker here on the board for a while and have gained some helpful insights. I will be a 2025 graduate at a small rural school in Louisiana. My goal is to serve my country as an officer in one of our branches. I currently have a 3.9 gpa but I am concerned about class offerings at school. Due to its size, my school doesn’t offer any AP classes. The highest math offered is advanced math 2 and the highest science is chemistry. Will the lack of advanced classes put me at a disadvantage? I’ve talked to my parents about possibly taking some college level classes at a nearby community college, but I’m not sure the impact it would have. Obviously this will happen after I take the ACT.

So far, the rest of my activities are decent. I’m a 2 sport athlete (cross country and baseball) who would like to play baseball at an academy. I have made contact with the coaches at three of the academies and I am staying in touch. I’m the secretary of my class, am a member of numerous clubs, am a leader in my youth group (occasionally leading the lessons), and I am on track to receive my Mitchell in CAP. I am sorry for being long-winded, but I wanted to give an outline of where I’m at. Will the lack of AP and higher stem-related classes hurt my application?
Thanks guys, I look forward to the input..
Click to expand...
self-study
 
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