AP Physics or a selective engineering program?

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Mittens9202

Prospective Midshipman, Class of '29
Joined
Jun 9, 2022
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So, I'm currently a freshman in hs, moving up to a sophomore after this summer. I've wanted to go to USNA since I first learned about it when I was about ten or so. Since then I've been doing as much as I can to be qualified, and now that I've been in high school I'm making my resume as competitive as I can make it. Right about now my school is allowing us to make our schedules for next year. I've been selected to be part of an invite only, rigorous engineering program melding Physics Honors, Algebra II, and Principals of Engineering. However, due to the nature of the program, I would not be able to take AP physics. I'm not quite sure whether to move forward with the program or take AP physics.
 
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Interesting I wonder how they don't allow budding engineers to track into AP physics.

I can tell you my son (class of 2026) took the same kind of rigorous engineering curriculum. They did all kinds of interesting engineering stuff from mechanical to coding to robots and so on. However, he was also able to take AP Physics as a senior as well as AP Calc.

My gut feeling is to take the engineering work as long as it is project based and you can demonstrate hands-on application of the things you learn in Honors Physics. The assumption there is that Honors Physics + projects = AP Physics. Maybe, maybe not.

You could check with your school consoler to see if there are any previous USNA appointees and what they did. You could also ask USNA admissions for an opinion.

A final thought, if you feel comfortable you could try to study up to AP Physics and take the AP test. If you get a 4 or 5 that would demonstrate to USNA that you understand the material at AP level.
 
Huursoldaat said:
🤔

Interesting I wonder how they don't allow budding engineers to track into AP physics.

I can tell you my son (class of 2026) took the same kind of rigorous engineering curriculum. They did all kinds of interesting engineering stuff from mechanical to coding to robots and so on. However, he was also able to take AP Physics as a senior as well as AP Calc.

My gut feeling is to take the engineering work as long as it is project based and you can demonstrate hands-on application of the things you learn in Honors Physics. The assumption there is that Honors Physics + projects = AP Physics. Maybe, maybe not.

You could check with your school consoler to see if there are any previous USNA appointees and what they did. You could also ask USNA admissions for an opinion.

A final thought, if you feel comfortable you could try to study up to AP Physics and take the AP test. If you get a 4 or 5 that would demonstrate to USNA that you understand the material at AP level.
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About the first part, since the engineering curriculum is based on physics H, they say I’m unable to take ap since that “slot” is already occupied by AP physics. But I’ve heard things similar to what you recommended. I’m planning on staying with the engineering program and just taking the ap test separately. Funny thing is, I had no idea you could just sign up for the test until this week. Thanks for your input!
 
Mittens9202 said:
I had no idea you could just sign up for the test until this week
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Yes they are happy to take your money. The public schools around here administer the test to all AP level classes, but the private schools leave it up to you to sign up and take it.

Good luck with it all I'm sure you'll do great.
 
1st: congratulations on working towards your USNA goal this early-that shows intent and dedication. 2nd: your goal should be to become a Naval or USMC Officer with a preference for USNA and have plans B & C to earn a commission (NROTC, OCS, etc). 3rd. Sounds like your academics are well on track-recommend you take what interests you the most. 4th. Don't forget to develop your ECAs especially leadership skills. 5th. Physical Fitness is also very important. Good luck!
 
USNA favors candidates who take the most challenging courses their school has to offer — especially in STEM and English — and excel at them. They also inspect your transcript in detail, along with your school profile, which shows the classes offered.

Therefore, presuming the engineering program is on par with AP in terms of rigor, it should matter little which one you take. More importantly, make sure USNA understands that the rigor is comparable so that you get due credit. You can do that by seeing if the program is listed in the school profile and/or having it mentioned in some other evaluation, such as the one from a teacher or counselor.

Now, if you still have doubts, go straight to the source of all accurate and timely information: USNA admissions.
 
If one of those options is calculus-based, take that one (i.e. specifically AP Physics C, not AP Physics 1 or 2). If they are both calculus-based, or are both not calculus-based, I would stick with the engineering program if that is your goal.

IMO "AP" and "IB" courses are marketing terms--the course material is what matters. The challenging course may not always be the AP course.
 
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College Physics — normally taken Sophomore fall semester — requires Vector Calculus 3 — and can be taken concurrently with Calc 3

The OP is starting Algebra 2 in the 10th grade — I will assume that he or she will have taken a year of HS Calculus in the 12th grade, since Trig and Pre-Calc would be done in the 10th thru 11th grade if the OP hasn’t taken them.

HS AP Calc is not as rigorous as College Calc 1 and 2 … and does not dive into Calc 3 …

At a minimum, try to get a year each of HS Chem, Physics, and Calculus … AP for each is Ok too.
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MidCakePa said:
Therefore, presuming the engineering program is on par with AP in terms of rigor, it should matter little which one you take. More importantly, make sure USNA understands that the rigor is comparable so that you get due credit.
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This. Go above and beyond in the most challenging / prestigious curricula available to you and you'll have no regrets.
 
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