Class Issue/Acceptance

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maymay22

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I just received a nomination for the Air Force Academy, but I still do not know if I have been admitted. If I am admitted, would they "take away" my letter of acceptance if I were to drop a class?

To give some background info: I am a senior taking 9 classes (4 classes more than other seniors at my school) and am getting all A's and one B. The B is in 'AP Computer Science', the class I would like to drop. Since my school is doing only virtual learning, I am not learning anything in this class and I am really struggling. I know a B doesn't sound like a bad grade, but I am worried about next semester because I don't know anything regarding computer science.

My plan would be to finish this semester, take my B in 'AP Computer Science', and then drop it for next semester. I will HAVE to alert the Academy about dropping this class. So, my question is: Will dropping "AP Computer Science" take away my chance of getting an acceptance letter to the Air Force Academy?

Thanks!
 
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First, a nomination is a vital step toward, but not the same thing as, an offer of appointment. If you’re not familiar with the admissions process (which would surprise me, frankly, since you’re an applicant), then go to the SA website and the stickies posted here to familiarize yourself.

Second, no one here can tell you with any certainty how USAFA will react to you dropping a class. For one, we don’t know what your package looks like and whether you’ll receive offer of appointment to begin with. And it’s a very weird year, so how things happened in the past may not apply now. Some will offer you their opinion, but only USAFA knows.

Do some soul-searching about whether it makes sense to drop the class. And ask yourself whether it’s worth calling USAFA to inform them. From there, weigh your options.
 
Will dropping one class (with an otherwise amazing application) get you a TWE? No one on these forums knows. However, I would warn you against doing this. When you drop this class it may throw up some red flags at USAFA and they will probably want to know why you decided that this was the best course of action. Remember that you will be taking even tougher classes at USAFA and this may signal to them that you don't have what it takes to push through a challenging course. I think it would be better to work extremely hard, reach out to the teacher to let them know your concern, and try talking to classmates to see if you can work together. Think of this as a test run for your time at USAFA. Good luck!
 
A similar question:
I indicated to USAFA when filing my application that I'll be taking AP Comp science in senior year. At the time of filling application, this course was available at my school. But this has been dropped since then from our school due to teacher shortage.

What should be my course of action, given that I didn't drop the class ( since I was not enrolled when filling application and has not enrolled as well)?
 
From a counselor's point of view, I'm going to put my 2 cents in, for what's its worth. You are using the term drop, I assume because it's a course that goes over two semesters and is one course, but oftentimes at the high school level these courses are labeled as separate courses, meaning you get one credit for the first semester and an additional credit for the next semester. If that's the case, then you aren't really "dropping" the course, you are just choosing not to take that course/earn that credit.

I don't know of specifics with the SAs but I know colleges ask you to predict your courses for the Spring, and then submit transcripts either mid-year or end of the year. I don't think they put those two together and make sure they match exactly unless you changed your courses completed or failed them all. The general idea is to assure that you continue to take courses that are challenging and do well, but I don't think finishing AP Computer Science is really going to make or break you.

I would advise that you contact the source (admissions counselors or advisor) and ask if you need to report a change to your Spring courses. High school courses and availability change all the time, and I personally have never seen a student have to jump through this hoop, but again, I don't know as much about SAs.

And again, that's all assuming you are finishing the credit in the fall and starting a new credit in the spring. If the credits are all tied to the course of the year, meaning you don't earn any credit until Spring, I think you have a different situation. Hope that helps.
 
First, make sure you have enough credits to graduate. Two, don't stop taking Physics or Math. As milmomsomeday said, you are dropping a class in the sense of a college transcript where you get a W or DROP showing. You complete the semester and then your schedule next semester is up to you. I would be surprised if USAFA cares.

That being said, you do have to take Comp Sci as a Doolie so it may be worth working through it to make next year easier for yourself if you attend. It appears to be an easy class if you have had some coding experience in python btw.
 
USAFA will only really review your first semester grades, and that would likely occur prior to any offer of Appointment. They reserve the right to rescind an offer of Appointment based on second semester performance, but that would be an extreme circumstance. The course in question is not required by USAFA, and considering the totality of your current course load, I do not think this would be of any consequence to your chances of admission.
 
maymay22 said:
I just received a nomination for the Air Force Academy, but I still do not know if I have been admitted. If I am admitted, would they "take away" my letter of acceptance if I were to drop a class?

To give some background info: I am a senior taking 9 classes (4 classes more than other seniors at my school) and am getting all A's and one B. The B is in 'AP Computer Science', the class I would like to drop. Since my school is doing only virtual learning, I am not learning anything in this class and I am really struggling. I know a B doesn't sound like a bad grade, but I am worried about next semester because I don't know anything regarding computer science.

My plan would be to finish this semester, take my B in 'AP Computer Science', and then drop it for next semester. I will HAVE to alert the Academy about dropping this class. So, my question is: Will dropping "AP Computer Science" take away my chance of getting an acceptance letter to the Air Force Academy?

Thanks!
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You are taking 9 classes? how do you even fit that in your schedule? If you are going to drop a class, it probably shouldn't be AP Comp Sci. You've got to have a couple fluff classes in that schedule you could drop instead. Unless your biggest worry is your GPA, which is the wrong way to go about making this decision.
 
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