AP World History

Sciencnerd

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Feb 6, 2021
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95
Guten Tag,
So I've run into a but of a predicament with AP World and (eventually) APUSH. I will be taking them online since I don't want to drop my electives and still have to take more German, but I've discussed with parents and counselors and none of them advise this as AP classes shouldn't be taken online/without an instructor. The problem is, there isn't an honors option. It's either AP or just regular world history. I'd like to take the most rigorous classes I can, but I worry that I'll end up not scoring well and it not being worth it if I take AP. What would you wonderful people recommend? How do you think admissions would view this.
Thanks again for y'all's help, God bless.
 
Guten Tag,
So I've run into a but of a predicament with AP World and (eventually) APUSH. I will be taking them online since I don't want to drop my electives and still have to take more German, but I've discussed with parents and counselors and none of them advise this as AP classes shouldn't be taken online/without an instructor. The problem is, there isn't an honors option. It's either AP or just regular world history. I'd like to take the most rigorous classes I can, but I worry that I'll end up not scoring well and it not being worth it if I take AP. What would you wonderful people recommend? How do you think admissions would view this.
Thanks again for y'all's help, God bless.
This is for your senior year? USAFA admissions will have made a decision before you even take the AP test.
 
AP classes shouldn't be taken online/without an instructor.
Then why are AP classes offered online? I'd suggest taking the AP class online. In my opinion History isn't one of the subjects closely scrutinized by USAFA admissions. It's more important than electives and less important than STEM subjects. Having taken multiple APs online I can say that online classes are not easy requiring self discipline to complete successfully. Do it as a test of your discipline to gauge if you should take more AP courses online later. Separate the class and the test in your mind. The AP test score can be left out of your USAFA application if you get a 3 or lower when self reporting. I can also say that you'll not be able to validate a history class with any AP History score at USAFA.
Don't neglect leadership opportunities Sophmore year. That is the prime time to find sports or organizations to dedicate yourself to for the remainder of HS. Viel Glück!
 
I can also say that you'll not be able to validate a history class with any AP History score at USAFA.
Things may have changed. There are various AP history validation options indicated here:


I say take as hard of an academic load as you can handle, but dont sacrifice your ability to do well in STEM classes, unless a history major is your dream.

One thing to note for any plan B with a traditional engineering school curriculum for example, history classes often aren’t even required.
 
Guten Tag,
So I've run into a but of a predicament with AP World and (eventually) APUSH. I will be taking them online since I don't want to drop my electives and still have to take more German, but I've discussed with parents and counselors and none of them advise this as AP classes shouldn't be taken online/without an instructor. The problem is, there isn't an honors option. It's either AP or just regular world history. I'd like to take the most rigorous classes I can, but I worry that I'll end up not scoring well and it not being worth it if I take AP. What would you wonderful people recommend? How do you think admissions would view this.
Thanks again for y'all's help, God bless.
I go to an online Christian high school that has excellent AP programs. I have taken several from them, as well as a Pennsylvanian online school. These two schools are known for their excellence in AP classes, and have many 5 scorers. The average is about 4, maybe even closer to 5. The two schools you could look into if you want more information are: The Potter's School and Pennsylvania Homeschoolers.
EDIT: And as a side note, AP classes themselves are not much more difficult than a regular high school class. There is just more work in general.
 
Guten Tag,
So I've run into a but of a predicament with AP World and (eventually) APUSH. I will be taking them online since I don't want to drop my electives and still have to take more German, but I've discussed with parents and counselors and none of them advise this as AP classes shouldn't be taken online/without an instructor. The problem is, there isn't an honors option. It's either AP or just regular world history. I'd like to take the most rigorous classes I can, but I worry that I'll end up not scoring well and it not being worth it if I take AP. What would you wonderful people recommend? How do you think admissions would view this.
Thanks again for y'all's help, God bless.
I acknowledge the concerns on an online vs instructor led AP class, but at the end of the day I think that at face value, excelling in an AP course is more impressive than excelling in a regular (not honors, AP) course of the same name. If you had a transcript with 10 AP courses vs 10 regular courses the difference is apparent.
 
Things may have changed. There are various AP history validation options indicated here:


I say take as hard of an academic load as you can handle, but dont sacrifice your ability to do well in STEM classes, unless a history major is your dream.

One thing to note for any plan B with a traditional engineering school curriculum for example, history classes often aren’t even required.
I stand corrected. I wasn't tracking class validation for a history major.
 
Academics. Athletics. Leadership. Do you have all three? If not, an extra online AP history course will have next to no additional value in the application process.
 
Just trying to confirm this is a self study AP option. There are several things to consider including how many AP classes you are able to/planning on taking and what is your intended major at USAFA.

APUSH is one of the easier AP tests. It's certainly possible to self study. If you do not have many or any AP classes available then taking a self study option could be a good idea. If you are planning on take 10 AP classes at your school then it is not so important. If your school doesn't have many AP classes available and there are other students who would be interested in AP history classes, you could organize a history group that would study together and seek out virtual guest speakers, go on history related outing etc to fill that need. That would show leadership and creativity.


Your German skills will likely be more relevant in general (depending on your future major). But there are too many things I don't know about your situation to give firm advice.
 
Thank you everyone for your responses. I'd like to say a few more things about my situation that might bring some clarity. Next year I will be taking honors Chem, honors LA, mastery level band, JROTC, honors German 2, and gifted pre-calculus. I will also be receiving 2 embedded credits for engineering and oral and written communication. If I take AP World, it would be my first AP class. I already do 2 sports, Scouts, and a few other extracurriculars, as well as volunteering every Sunday and some Wednesdays at my church. What I need to know is if it would actually be worth it to take what little freetime I have and make it a study session for, what y'all seem to say, a class that the Academy doesn't care much about.
 
Just trying to confirm this is a self study AP option. There are several things to consider including how many AP classes you are able to/planning on taking and what is your intended major at USAFA.

APUSH is one of the easier AP tests. It's certainly possible to self study. If you do not have many or any AP classes available then taking a self study option could be a good idea. If you are planning on take 10 AP classes at your school then it is not so important. If your school doesn't have many AP classes available and there are other students who would be interested in AP history classes, you could organize a history group that would study together and seek out virtual guest speakers, go on history related outing etc to fill that need. That would show leadership and creativity.


Your German skills will likely be more relevant in general (depending on your future major). But there are too many things I don't know about your situation to give firm advice.
It's essentially self study. From what I understand, I will be doing classwork whenever I can, and it just has to be done at a certain deadline. That's great, but my concern is that I may not have enough time in my day to throw an advanced level class in addition to everything else.
 
It's essentially self study. From what I understand, I will be doing classwork whenever I can, and it just has to be done at a certain deadline. That's great, but my concern is that I may not have enough time in my day to throw an advanced level class in addition to everything else.
Then take regular world history. Focus on things most important to you. You can always reevaluate for APUSH. How many AP classes do you plan on taking?
 
Take regular world history. AP Chemistry and AP Calculus are two of the more useful options if you can take those. 5-7 is great. Language skills also important
 
Thank you everyone for your responses. I'd like to say a few more things about my situation that might bring some clarity. Next year I will be taking honors Chem, honors LA, mastery level band, JROTC, honors German 2, and gifted pre-calculus. I will also be receiving 2 embedded credits for engineering and oral and written communication. If I take AP World, it would be my first AP class. I already do 2 sports, Scouts, and a few other extracurriculars, as well as volunteering every Sunday and some Wednesdays at my church. What I need to know is if it would actually be worth it to take what little freetime I have and make it a study session for, what y'all seem to say, a class that the Academy doesn't care much about.
I'm changing my advice. Don't take The AP history class.

Is this the only shot you'll have at Chem? AP Chem is one of the key classes you'll want to take, but during jr or sr year. It's brutal! Same with AP Physics of all flavors. These are worth doing online if your school doesn't offer them.

JROTC is important to dedicate time to and take throughout HS. Talk to your senior instructor this year about your SA goals if you haven't already. Your goal should be a command/leadership role ASAP. JROTC is a possible nomination source.

Deutsch ist gut, aber nicht entscheidend, um fortgeschrittene Kurse zu belegen, die viel Zeit in Anspruch nehmen können.

Gifted pre calc? Interesting. Anyways, dedicate time here as well. Track AP Calc AB as a Jr, and BC as a Sr. Based on your user name, your future options will ride on these math classes.

If you continue Scouts, Eagle Scout is a huge SA bump. If it's not possible, I'm not sure this is worth keeping on your busy schedule.

Make sure you letter in sports and work towards captain.

Last bit of advice, plan on going to Boy's State in summer between Jr & Sr year.

You're on a good path. Thanks for the specific question and expanding on your inquiry rather then posting a 'chance-me' early senior year.
 
I did some self-study courses online during high school, and I learned a lot from those classes and wouldn't necessarily dismiss the notion purely because there isn't an instructor. History classes(APUSH/AP World) can both help you validate courses at the academy, which can be helpful especially since there isn't a "flow-through"(i.e. Calc 1-2) with history courses. I'd encourage you to check out the USAFA Course of Instruction(I'm aware this isn't the most up-to-date one, but this is the publically accessible one). Page 14 has the validation requirements, and classes validated. As always feel free to send a pm for more specific guidance to your particular situation.
 
Complete Eagle scout. SPL, NYLT. Boys State, team captain, drum major/band president. Look up The Congressional Award. You look to ebe on a great trajectory.
 
I'm changing my advice. Don't take The AP history class.

Is this the only shot you'll have at Chem? AP Chem is one of the key classes you'll want to take, but during jr or sr year. It's brutal! Same with AP Physics of all flavors. These are worth doing online if your school doesn't offer them.

JROTC is important to dedicate time to and take throughout HS. Talk to your senior instructor this year about your SA goals if you haven't already. Your goal should be a command/leadership role ASAP. JROTC is a possible nomination source.

Deutsch ist gut, aber nicht entscheidend, um fortgeschrittene Kurse zu belegen, die viel Zeit in Anspruch nehmen können.

Gifted pre calc? Interesting. Anyways, dedicate time here as well. Track AP Calc AB as a Jr, and BC as a Sr. Based on your user name, your future options will ride on these math classes.

If you continue Scouts, Eagle Scout is a huge SA bump. If it's not possible, I'm not sure this is worth keeping on your busy schedule.

Make sure you letter in sports and work towards captain.

Last bit of advice, plan on going to Boy's State in summer between Jr & Sr year.

You're on a good path. Thanks for the specific question and expanding on your inquiry rather then posting a 'chance-me' early senior year.
Thanks for the advice. I'm working on my eagle scout right now, and I'm currently SPL for my troop. Next year I will be Varsity for XC, and then Junior year I will probably make varsity for track and be team captain for XC. I will most likely take AP Chem in my senior as a 4th science option, if not that then I'll take AP Computer Science Principles. Definitely doing AP Physics because I'm pretty solid at science and passed HS physical science with flying colors in middle school.
 
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