i_like_planes
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- Jan 29, 2021
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- 200
Are they required?
No, but they can be helpful to validate courses. I also included the AP Scholar Awards on my applications so that could help.Are they required?
From what I understand about hopefulmom182, her DS didn't send in scores so he started back at Calc 1 to focus more on the topics he didn't understand. I was thinking about doing that for AP Physics, I'm not overly confident about my knowledge of it so (assuming I'm accepted), I'll start at Physics 1.I'm a Senior in HS and an appointee for USAFA '25. I'm currently in Calc AB, I'll be taking the AP test in a few weeks and I'm feeling pretty confident. That said, I was told by my ALO that it might be a good idea to start back at Calc 1 to make first year a bit easier. Is this something that is commonly done by students or is it frowned upon?
I think your ALO think it's a good idea since USAFA might teach calculus different from your HS. I know from my school they teach things like integration by parts in AB, and expect you know it in BC, but some other school teach it in BC.I'm a Senior in HS and an appointee for USAFA '25. I'm currently in Calc AB, I'll be taking the AP test in a few weeks and I'm feeling pretty confident. That said, I was told by my ALO that it might be a good idea to start back at Calc 1 to make first year a bit easier. Is this something that is commonly done by students or is it frowned upon?
Ok that makes sense. I’ll probably not submit my AP Physics test score then, at least not to try to get out of taking that class in college. I don’t feel that confident in the class yet. But it doesn’t look bad on the application if I don’t send them, right?My DS took the calc AP tests. He scored a 5 on Calc AB and a 3 on Calc BC. He's an astro major. He opted to start back at calc 1 and not provide any scores. He took Calc BC as a junior in HS, and was a little rusty. He's gotten A's in Calc classes so far. He is paying more attention to what he was a little "iffy" on in HS calc. He thinks this strong understanding of calc will only help him through his engineering major.
I do not think it makes you look bad. However, if they are ok you might think about sending them in anyway. You can always refuse to be put in a higher level class.Ok that makes sense. I’ll probably not submit my AP Physics test score then, at least not to try to get out of taking that class in college. I don’t feel that confident in the class yet. But it doesn’t look bad on the application if I don’t send them, right?
This is the advice I have heard in the past. Basically you should do the best you can and allow yourself as many options as possible. You can always validate classes and then choose to take them anyway.I do not think it makes you look bad. However, if they are ok you might think about sending them in anyway. You can always refuse to be put in a higher level class.
Thanks a lot, this was very helpful. But by, "it often results in an unsatisfactory outcome", do you mean they don't get the grade they wanted or something else?While AP classes on your transcript likely inform the admissions board, I do not believe the AP score impacts the admissions process.
AP scores obviously impact your ability to validate classes. For your reference, my DS scored a 5 on Calc AB and BC. He took the USAFA placement tests and was encouraged to take Calc III. He did and got an A+. Not much to do with that info since your high school teacher was different, your study habits different, and he took Calc III during COVID restrictions so I think his study habits were probably great because he couldn't do much of anything else and they had less military training going on.
As far as math goes, I would lean heavily on the placement test results you get from USAFA. They have been doing it for a while and have every hope of placing people correctly and gain nothing from pushing you too hard only to see you on academic probation. You can always choose to not validate if you really want. (My other son at a civilian school had a third option, the school has accelerated Calculus where they cover Calc I, II and III in two semesters - so he gets to pick up room in his schedule, but still make sure his foundation in Calc is solid - maybe USAFA has this too?)
Validating other classes again is up to you. One argument is to validate anything you can and free up your schedule - this is what my son did and it made a double major more practical for him. Another argument is to not validate classes - you repeat material you already had so it should be easier and should get you an A. This works for some, but as many find out, it often results in an unsatisfactory outcome. Another approach is to validate classes that are not in your major and retake classes that are. So if you are an engineering major, validate English, History, Pysch, etc if you can but take Calc and Physics again to build your foundation.
USAFA doesn't really care about your choice - the final outcome is all they really care about it.
I do encourage new cadets to examine the Curriculum handbook with a parent or mentor before BCT. Testing, placement and scheduling occurs during and at the end of BCT. Your head is in a different place and you are prone to doing whatever someone tells you to do. However, you really need to own your academic career and schedule so try to have your academic goals and wish list figured out for first semester. My son got placed in a couple of things that he did not want and was hesitant to speak up/out initially coming out of BCT. Eventually he did though and got the classes he wanted ,but had he been prepared for it, it would have been smoother and less stressful for a few days.
Thanks a lot, this was very helpful. But by, "it often results in an unsatisfactory outcome", do you mean they don't get the grade they wanted or something else?