Class Selection for Senior Year

[anna.polis2024]

I have the opportunity to attend my local Police Academy for high school students, because of this I would only be at my regular high school for the first 4 periods of the day and then leave and attend the Police Academy. I have all my requirements to graduate with Academic Honors so it wouldn't affect my graduation, what I am wondering is if this would look good on an application or if I should stay in school and take more electives geared toward the curriculum of USNA?

*I know none of you have a real answer, I'm just looking for an educated opinion to help me make a decision*

 

[MidCakePa]

Would this schedule allow you to continue taking math, science, English and history classes at be highest levels your school offers, especially at the AP level? Having enough to graduate — even with honors — isn’t necessarily going to get the job done for USNA admissions. They prefer the highest achievers — those who take the hardest classes their school has to offer and excel at them. They want to know that you’ll be able to handle academy-level calculus, chemistry, physics, English and history, so make sure you can show that before committing to an unorthodox program.

 

[usna1985]

I guess I would need to understand why you want to attend the Police Academy -- what are the short-term and long-term benefits? Do you want to be a police officer? Is this just something fun to do every afternoon, such as ride around with police? What are you doing/what are you learning?

IOW, if you're giving up a substantial part of your school day, what do you get in exchange?

 

[anna.polis2024]

Would this schedule allow you to continue taking math, science, English and history classes at be highest levels your school offers, especially at the AP level? Having enough to graduate — even with honors — isn’t necessarily going to get the job done for USNA admissions. They prefer the highest achievers — those who take the hardest classes their school has to offer and excel at them. They want to know that you’ll be able to handle academy-level calculus, chemistry, physics, English and history, so make sure you can show that before committing to an unorthodox program.

The schedule will allow me to take all of the AP’s I originally planned on taking.

 

[A1Janitor]

Would this schedule allow you to continue taking math, science, English and history classes at be highest levels your school offers, especially at the AP level? Having enough to graduate — even with honors — isn’t necessarily going to get the job done for USNA admissions. They prefer the highest achievers — those who take the hardest classes their school has to offer and excel at them. They want to know that you’ll be able to handle academy-level calculus, chemistry, physics, English and history, so make sure you can show that before committing to an unorthodox program.

The schedule will allow me to take all of the AP’s I originally planned on taking.

Which AP classes could you take instead of the police training?

 

[THParent]

Do things in life because you want to do them.
Do things you love.

Don't do things because you think that they may make you look better to the USNA or anyone else for that matter.
Life is short. You get an average of 27,375 days - and if you're 16 now - you've already used 5,840 of them. Make every one count, but make sure that there's fun and humor in them.

 

[anna.polis2024]

I guess I would need to understand why you want to attend the Police Academy -- what are the short-term and long-term benefits? Do you want to be a police officer? Is this just something fun to do every afternoon, such as ride around with police? What are you doing/what are you learning?

IOW, if you're giving up a substantial part of your school day, what do you get in exchange?

I want to attend the police academy because it would give me an opportunity to gain leadership positions and to learn skills regarding to leadership as well as get me prepared for a strictly structured daily life. I do not wish to be a police officer as the end goal, but my back up plan if the academy route does not work out for me is to be a dog handler in the Marine Corps. If it was something so simple as a fun way to get out of school in the afternoon the school system would not allow it, so no it is not just being a ride along with local policemen. I do not know all the ins and outs of the academy as it is only a newly offered program and the opportunity for me to attend has just come about recently, I do know that it is a 4 hour day at the academy with physical activities as well as hands on classroom learning.

 

[anna.polis2024]

Do things in life because you want to do them.
Do things you love.

Don't do things because you think that they may make you look better to the USNA or anyone else for that matter.
Life is short. You get an average of 27,375 days - and if you're 16 now - you've already used 5,840 of them. Make every one count, but make sure that there's fun and humor in them.

Thank you for this comment, very encouraging and true!!

 

[anna.polis2024]

Which AP classes could you take instead of the police training?

Instead of the police training there aren’t many AP’s I would be missing out on, I have already taken APES, I guess I would be missing out on AP Psych and AP bio. Within the time I am at school (I would leave after 4th period in a normally 8 period day) I will be taking AP Lang, AP Gov, Advanced Strength and my math class.

 

[anna.polis2024]

Which AP classes could you take instead of the police training?

I could take AP Psych and AP bio, I didn’t qualify for AP chemistry but I could take Organic Chem as an option as well.

 

[anna.polis2024]

Instead of the police training there aren’t many AP’s I would be missing out on, I have already taken APES, I guess I would be missing out on AP Psych and AP bio. Within the time I am at school (I would leave after 4th period in a normally 8 period day) I will be taking AP Lang, AP Gov, Advanced Strength and my math class.

*DISREGARD THIS* I misread the question!!

 

[usna1985]

I want to attend the police academy because it would give me an opportunity to gain leadership positions and to learn skills regarding to leadership as well as get me prepared for a strictly structured daily life. I do not wish to be a police officer as the end goal, but my back up plan if the academy route does not work out for me is to be a dog handler in the Marine Corps. If it was something so simple as a fun way to get out of school in the afternoon the school system would not allow it, so no it is not just being a ride along with local policemen . . .

Sounds like you've given this a lot of thought. Good on you!

I agree that you should do things about which you're passionate, but generally you don't want to burn bridges in the process. So if you told me you were passionate about working at a tattoo parlor every afternoon (in place of school) because you love ink or at at a dog salon b/c you love animals, I would probably say that's not the best way to prepare yourself for a career in the military.

If this program will give you certain life skills AND you take 4 core courses during your day, and it's something about which you're passionate, then go for it. For USNA purposes, I would ensure your courses include at least calc, English (with writing), and physics, assuming you've already taken chem. There is some risk that doing Police Academy won't be viewed as favorably by USNA as a full course load, but as noted if you're excited to do it, it's probably worth the risk.