Best Class Selections?

[USAFAhopeful2025]

Hi, all. I haven’t written on here in a few months, as I’ve been busy with school and trying to buff up my grades and classes. That brings me to my question: my school, a college prep, has started allowing us to register for classes, and I have a few questions on what the Academy would rather see for my classes next year as a junior for my target major in Aerospace Engineering. A.) Should I continue to take foreign language for four years? B.) I’m planning on taking Honors physics next year, then AP physics Senior year: is this a good idea? C.) Because I’m not planning on going into the literature world, I’m planning on taking Honors third year English instead of AP, which focuses heavily on people who want English majors in college: is this a good idea? Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[MidCakePa]

All SAs want you to take the hardest classes your school has to offer. For many, that’s AP. This is especially important for the STEM subjects and English. SAs will know what classes are available to you because they’ll have a school profile.

What you plan to major in should not impact your choice of high school classes. SAs don’t even ask what you plan to major in. What they want are well-rounded scholars who excelled in the hardest classes their school has to offer.

See the specific SA’s website to go deeper on how many years of any subject that academy wants. And see those guidelines as minimums, not targets. It’s a competition — a very rigorous one — and you want to show that you truly pushed yourself in high school. Best wishes to you.

 

[FMHS-79]

< cross-posted with @MidCakePa >

From https://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/the-application-process/academic-performance/:

To be academically competitive for an appointment to the Academy, we recommend completion of the following high school courses:

• four years of English (with a college preparatory class in writing)
• four years of math (strong background in geometry, algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus)
• four years of science (lab-based and should include biology, chemistry and physics)
• three years of social studies (to include a course in U.S. History)
• two years of a modern foreign language
• one year of computer study

IMPO, make sure you are taking the highest-level courses available in the STEM and English areas and then making sure you are meeting the other recommendations. That said, do not take courses just because you think it will give you a better WCS score. If you enjoy foreign language, take it -- if you love music and want to take an advanced jazz class, take it.

 

[CVbsbl2019]

In my opinion, I think a year of Honors Physics followed by AP Physics I is slightly repetitive. At most schools, AP Physics I is an introductory course. Yes, the level of difficulty, pace, amount of homework may be slightly more than the Honors course, but if you're a pretty STEM minded student then I think you'll have no problem taking AP Physics I right off the bat. In my situation, I took Honors Chemistry sophomore year, AP Chemistry junior year (AP Chem is not an introductory course in HS like AP Physics is), and AP Physics I senior year. Received appointment January 15. Science was never my strong suit, but I managed to push through and earn As in those courses. If you set your mind to succeeding and working hard in AP Physics I, you could take that course as a junior and open your schedule for another class senior year. Just my opinion, but I think the Academy would value seeing AP Physics I and you don't necessarily need Honors. AP courses are not impossible to do well in. I'm sure you'll do great either way, just don't be afraid to push yourself!! Good luck

 

[4BravoX1]

Don't underestimate English classes. I knew from sophemore year that I also wanted to be an Aerospace engineer, but I still took the hardest english classes I could at my school, honors english sophemore year, then AP english Language and Composition my Junior year, and AP english Literature and Composition my senior year. These courses offer great skills like how to analyze what you are reading and how to communicate ideas effectively, but what I think is most important they offered chances to hone your presenting skills. You would be surprised how many people including officers in the "real Air Force" don't know how to effectively present information and brief others. These skills have given me the opertunity to brief many different people including the AFMC Surgeon General because my leadership has confidence in my ability to present and convey information.

Long story short don't write off english class just because you plan on being a STEM major they offer many skills that are just as valuable and applicable to what you do day to day as the STEM knowledge you want to major in.

 

[pooled18]

In my opinion, I think a year of Honors Physics followed by AP Physics I is slightly repetitive. At most schools, AP Physics I is an introductory course. Yes, the level of difficulty, pace, amount of homework may be slightly more than the Honors course, but if you're a pretty STEM minded student then I think you'll have no problem taking AP Physics I right off the bat. In my situation, I took Honors Chemistry sophomore year, AP Chemistry junior year (AP Chem is not an introductory course in HS like AP Physics is), and AP Physics I senior year. Received appointment January 15. Science was never my strong suit, but I managed to push through and earn As in those courses. If you set your mind to succeeding and working hard in AP Physics I, you could take that course as a junior and open your schedule for another class senior year. Just my opinion, but I think the Academy would value seeing AP Physics I and you don't necessarily need Honors. AP courses are not impossible to do well in. I'm sure you'll do great either way, just don't be afraid to push yourself!! Good luck

Many, many schools in my area, including mine, only allow a student to take AP Physics after a year of Honors Physics.

 

[CVbsbl2019]

In my opinion, I think a year of Honors Physics followed by AP Physics I is slightly repetitive. At most schools, AP Physics I is an introductory course. Yes, the level of difficulty, pace, amount of homework may be slightly more than the Honors course, but if you're a pretty STEM minded student then I think you'll have no problem taking AP Physics I right off the bat. In my situation, I took Honors Chemistry sophomore year, AP Chemistry junior year (AP Chem is not an introductory course in HS like AP Physics is), and AP Physics I senior year. Received appointment January 15. Science was never my strong suit, but I managed to push through and earn As in those courses. If you set your mind to succeeding and working hard in AP Physics I, you could take that course as a junior and open your schedule for another class senior year. Just my opinion, but I think the Academy would value seeing AP Physics I and you don't necessarily need Honors. AP courses are not impossible to do well in. I'm sure you'll do great either way, just don't be afraid to push yourself!! Good luck

Many, many schools in my area, including mine, only allow a student to take AP Physics after a year of Honors Physics.

If that's the case then I completely understand! There's no science pre-requisite at my school for AP Physics I. In the OP it didn't sound like Honors was a pre-req, rather a personal choice. If it is a requirement, then the 2-year Physics route doesn't sound like a bad idea.

 

[GCarter]

I'm also working to be accepted in the Class of 2025. All the schools in my area require an introductory course if you are planning on taking an AP. For example if you wanted to take AP Physics, you would need to take a CP or Honors Physics class first. I was faced with the same dilemma recently and I decided that I will take an Introductory Physics course over the summer of my Junior/Senior year so that I can take AP Physics my Senior Year. This is probably the best way to take all of the hardest classes and fit in the AP's you want.