Ap Physics or Ap Environmental Science?

navyafgirl

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I am currently in AP Physics 1, and its super hard. I had a B first quarter, than B+ last quarter and I currently have a low A-, which I have worked my butt off for. My teacher this year is just very, very hard. He does not like to help you unless you have some sort of specific question. He also teaches AP Physics 2, so I would definitely have him again next year.
I go to school in Fairfax County, which is super competitive for the Naval Academy. I am sort of tempted to take AP Environmental Science instead of AP Physics 2 next year... I know the academies like physics a lot more. Which one would be more competitive?
Like say I could only get a B+ in AP Physics 2 but I could get an A or A- in APES? Would admissions understand that Physics is a lot easier? I'm just scared to take APES because it's known as like the stupid AP science class at my school... where the not so smart kids take it just because they want to take an ap and it is easier.
What do you guys think? thanks!
 
The answer you don't want to hear is take the harder class AND get an A. Fairfax is a beast. Competition for nominations was brutal this year from NOVA. Could you take AP physics and AP Environ as an elective? I know, great elective. Just saying, it's tough......
 
I know the academies like physics a lot more. Which one would be more competitive?

Direct from USNA admissions (three separate AO's) at recent CVW. Admissions looks for two classes on your transcript, BC Calc and AP Chem. Do well in everything else. Ranking science classes, #1 AP Chem, then AP Physics, and then AP Bio. Actually one AO indicated Bio wasn't necessary. If you have not taken AP Chem, advice from AO's was to take it (if available). If you have taken AP Chem, then take AP Physics C.
 
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AP Physics will definitely demonstrate more rigor of schedule and will help you more once you get to an academy, vs APES. FWIW, DS took both years of AP Physics but only honors (not AP) Chem, and only AB Calc. He has As in plebe chemistry and calc. We are also from NoVa (VA-08).
 
Direct from USNA admissions (three separate AO's) at recent CVW. Admissions looks for two classes on your transcript, BC Calc and AP Chem. Do well in everything else. Ranking science classes, #1 AP Chem, then AP Physics, and then AP Bio. Actually one AO indicated Bio wasn't necessary. If you have not taken AP Chem, advice from AO's was to take it (if available). If you have taken AP Chem, then take AP Physics C.
I haven't taken AP Chem... I know at my school it's very, very hard and I feel like I would not get a good grade since I am taking BC Calc next year along with several other APs.
 
AP Physics will definitely demonstrate more rigor of schedule and will help you more once you get to an academy, vs APES. FWIW, DS took both years of AP Physics but only honors (not AP) Chem, and only AB Calc. He has As in plebe chemistry and calc. We are also from NoVa (VA-08).
He took AP Chem???
 
My mid took APChem, APPhysics, APCalc, etc...he also validated all of them. Yes, it was hard, but that's kind of the point. If you don't like challenging yourself maybe you need to reconsider the NA? Your current grades look very good, btw. In my mids case, his high school teacher was also very tough but perhaps because of that, he said the AP test was pretty easy and he scored a 5. Just maybe your tough teacher is setting you up for that kind of success too.
 
Oh and yeah, AP Physics and AP Chem over AP Enviromental Science all day.
 
Wow, if USNA wants AP Chem, then a lot of people are in trouble. Not every school offers AP Chem. In my school, I was only one who wanted AP Chem but there was no way way school was going to have a 1 student class. I took both Honors Chem and Physics as a freshmen. Took AP Physics as a sophomore and IB Physics for junior and senior years ( got A's all through). Nobody is taking IB Chem at all. I have read various threads that Admissions is looking for hardest curriculum of classes taken (Im full IB). That being the case, know Im wondering if that will hurt my chances of getting in because my school did not offer AP Chem. I know of several kids in my area, MD-03, who already got in. Not sure if they took AP Chem or not though.
 
Long time reader, first time poster :)
My son is a sophomore and has been interested in USAF since elementary school. He is doing all the right things so far. I have read a lot about the importance of taking challenging science courses, how about other AP courses? Which ones to take? Is part of marching band any helpful? I feel he is burning lot of time in band but I'm not sure how much value it's going to provide, he does however play at the highest level.
Thanks
 
Long time reader, first time poster :)
I have read a lot about the importance of taking challenging science courses, how about other AP courses? Which ones to take?

If you go to the USAF admissions web site it pretty much lays out the courses that they want prospective candidates to take. Having said that, it's then a function of upping your game and taking those on an AP level (assuming your school offers them and it's doable). English, Math....of course, Chemistry and Physics and a language.
 
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