AP classes and admission to the USAFA

[SFking99]

I am interested in applying to the USAFA but I have a few questions...

1. Is my schedule enough to get into the USAFA?
-I am a High School Sophomore. I have a 3.5 GPA, 3/4 core classes are AP, I am involved in a social wellness club, Campus Ministry (I go to a Catholic HS), and I am on the track team. I am also in my 3rd year of spanish.

2. How much do AP classes matter?
-Are the counselors more interested in good grades in regular classes or ok grades in tougher classes?

 

[lightfoot]

I'm from the USMA thread, but I think I can answer your question.
It really comes down to what can you handle. You need to take the hardest classes you can that you can get a B/A in. If you think you can do that in AP classes, take them. However, don't get into an AP class and earn a D/C. That won't impress the admission people. The harder the classes the better, but don't take so many hard classes that your GPA suffers for it.

 

[USAF52]

SFKing--Here are a couple of thoughts:
1. Work hard to get your GPA up the next 2 years. Nothing wrong with a 3.5, but you want to put yourself in a good position--getting in at the AFA is harder since they've reduced the class size this year and will again next year. The bar will continue to raise as fewer kids are accepted.

2. You mentioned a few activities. Do you have leadership roles in any of them? That will be very important. Activities need to be meaningful, not just something you show up for an hour a month with no other involvement.

3. Concerning AP classes, they are impt. if you can handle them. Take them in your strongest areas, but if there is an area you struggle in, then take a regular class so you can pull an A rather than a lower grade in AP. As part of the application process, the AFA will ask your school for a profile. If they see your school offered 10 different AP classes and you only took 2 and still got B's/C's, it might raise a red flag. The AFA is a tough school, with lots of math and science requirements of all majors, so they want to know you can handle the load. But like lightfoot said, if you take a HS course load that is too difficult and your grades suffer, that won't help in the admissions process. You have to think of your strengths and weaknesses as you pick your classes.

Good luck!

 

[SFking99]

Thanks to both of you! I also have one more question... If I was not to get in to the Academy and I was to go to the Prep School, would that count as college credit? And how sure are my chances of getting in after that?

 

[flieger83]

Thanks to both of you! I also have one more question... If I was not to get in to the Academy and I was to go to the Prep School, would that count as college credit? And how sure are my chances of getting in after that?

Hi!

Okay...let's assume you're offered the USAFA Prep School. It does NOT count for college HOWEVER...unless something goes VERY wrong...your next "assignment" will be to enter the academy with the next class.

Now...assume you did NOT get USAFA P/S. You're offered a Falcon Foundation Scholarship. Where you take that scholarship will determine whether or not you receive any college credit for the year you're doing the FF. HOWEVER...again, unless something goes wrong, you have a better than 98% chance that your next "school" will be USAFA.

NOTHING is "for sure" however...typically USAFA and the FF don't just toss money away at someone on the "off chance" they might qualify for admission...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83