AP Classes

[JHORNET44]

A few questions:

1) Does the Academy look at your AP test scores? I believe to validate a class at the Academy you must take and pass their test. I know that the AP class does show up on your transcripts.

2) Okay, so here's where I'm stuck. I could take AP Comp as my English 11 class, and get the AP credit, take the AP test, and all that jazz. I could also take Expository Writing for my English 11 credit. It is tricky because first, the teacher of the Expository Writing class is much better than the AP Comp class. (The teacher of EW was my English 10 Honors teacher, and was great. I have not had the AP Comp teacher, but have been told the EW teacher is far better from students who have had both teachers).

Heres the other part. The EW class technically is an elective, but will count for my English 11 credit.

Should I take the AP Comp class so I can take the AP test and have the AP class on my transcripts (Show I challenged myself, etc.) or take the EW class because I know the teacher is great and I will benefit from it- but not take another AP class, and have it possibly just look like another elective on my transcripts?

3) What is the Academy's view on accelerated Juniors (i.e. graduating HS in 3 years)?


Thanks,
Jonathan

 

[AF6872]

Check the academics section. They do look at your AP scores and you can validate. Although if you want validation it is your choice. It can open up areas down the road for courses you can skip and electives you can take. Others with more experience can chime in.

 

[mademu]

I'm pretty sure one of the only reasons I got in was because of the amount of AP classes I took. I remember being told that that was the only impressive part of my resume. I recommend taking it. He wont be your professor forever, I'd recommend this sacrifice. Do well and Don worry about AP grades now.

 

[osdad]

The NA knows what an AP class is - they may not know what Expository Writing is? I don't.

 

[MJOmom]

Is this your only AP class possibility? My understanding is that they look at your entire resume, references, test scores and interviews, etc ...

Are you/will you take any AP math or science courses? Those look great on a resume ...

Our son took AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Calc and 1 year of AP English ... he took honors classes when he could, but also took "regular" US History, "Regular" senior English ...

My 2 cents (probably worth less than that!!): don't sweat 1 class ... look at the big picture ... and do well in whatever you take ...

 

[Memphis9489]

One of my sons validated Calc I & II based solely on his AP test score. He got a 5. That is automatic validation of both. First semester he took Calc III with vectors and second semester he took Differential Equations.

Plebes who validate a lot of courses are usually placed in the same class with other Plebes. They try not mixing Plebes and upperclassmen in the same class if they can avoid it - especially with required courses like Calculus and Chemistry.

 

[singaporemom]

Just got son's results on AP Calc BC test : 5! I guess he'll find out soon what he'll be able to validate. Ordered scores to be sent to USNA.
This was son's only AP class. Took alot of honors and did other things that interested him. His advice has always been to do things that interest you and venture outside the norm. That has seemed to do well for him.

 

[usna1985]

3) What is the Academy's view on accelerated Juniors (i.e. graduating HS in 3 years)?

I'll tackle this one. The answer depends on the question. If you're asking what they think about someone entering USNA directly after graduating from h.s, the answer is that USNA's view is generally not favorable.

The first issue is your age. If I remember correctly, you must be 17 on I-Day. If your birthday is in the second half of the year, you won't be old enough.

Even if you are old enough, the second issue is maturity. Entering USNA when you're barely 17 will put you behind some of your peers who are nearly 18 or, for about 1/3 of the class, 19 and older.

If you're asking how USNA looks at someone who graduates from h.s. in three years and then does a year of college before applying to USNA . . . it would depend on what you did during those four years. Did you have time/opportunity to participate in sports and demonstrate leadership or did you simply go to class?

If you are very engaged in all aspects of school and/or involved in outside activities AND happen to be so smart that you blow through h.s. in three years and start on college courses . . . that would be viewed favorably.

However, if you basically just go to class and don't do anything else . . . well, being smart isn't enough for USNA purposes.