HS Class Rank

One thing to keep in mind though is that for the first two years, a student at USAFA might as well be an engineering major. This is where most cadets struggle at USAFA during their first two years, their ability and interests might be in areas that are not engineering related and they would do well at other schools and in different settings, but two semesters of Physics, Chem, Engineering Mechanics, Calc, Computer Science, etc, often puts a student who might excel at humanities in real jeopardy. A high school that has not prepared a student for this sort of curriculum (never mind the environment) will see that student struggle.
 
True. But it's not the high school that hasn't prepared the student. It's the student themselves and their parents. Most schools allow the students to choose their class schedule, so long as they take the minimum state required classes. So, if an individual wants to apply to the academy, and they haven't take AP/IB level math, science, etc.. then that's their own fault. If you want to go through the minimum high school required classes, apply to the state university of local community college..
 
Christcorp said:
True. But it's not the high school that hasn't prepared the student. It's the student themselves and their parents. Most schools allow the students to choose their class schedule, so long as they take the minimum state required classes. So, if an individual wants to apply to the academy, and they haven't take AP/IB level math, science, etc.. then that's their own fault. If you want to go through the minimum high school required classes, apply to the state university of local community college..
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Perhaps a bit harsh. Keep in mind that many schools do not have the resources to offer these courses. Also, some who end up attracted to this path don't become aware of it until too late to remedy their earlier poor decisions. C'est la vie I guess but still...
 
If you want to go through the minimum high school required classes, apply to the state university or local community college.
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Yep, cuz these school don't care none for readin, writin or rithmatic.
 
Christcorp said:
If you want to go through the minimum high school required classes, apply to the state university of local community college..
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Sorry, I need to weigh in on the products of these state universities....2LT Justin Sisson, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division was killed monday in Afghanistan. A graduate of Florida State University 2012, he was honor graduate(1rst out of 125 2LTs) of IBOLC Class 7-12. DS says he was the most complete 2LT he has ever known. He had also served in Iraq with the National Guard a few years ago.
 
About 4 years removed from graduating with my engineering degree, I had the opportunity to go back to campus and was invited to sit with my department faculty for lunch. One of their questions was: What would I change in the curriculum? I didn’t have to think very long before I said: “Twice as much writing and half as much math.” I went on to tell them that in my work I wrote hundreds of pages of reports, evaluations, studies, etc… but did not do any math that could not be performed with a rudimentary calculator. They agreed but said that the accreditation boards dictate the courses and they have little say in the matter.

Likewise, my suspicion is that (with few exceptions) the various branches would be better served by officers with a stronger background in the communication/humanities fields than an accredited engineering degree can offer. (My DD’s dual degrees in physics and English fit this model. :thumb: )
 
osdad said:
Likewise, my suspicion is that (with few exceptions) the various branches would be better served by officers with a stronger background in the communication/humanities fields than an accredited engineering degree can offer.
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Boom. Love it. Very true.
 
My response to preparing in high school for the academy vs civilian university was not a cut on the state university. It was an observation that the academies and certain other schools require a student to be prepared for immediate participation. A civilian university allows for the flexibility to build up to the classes required or what you want to take. The academies are similar to the IB program in high school. They give you possibly 2 electives, but your class schedule is pretty much defined for you. You need to be prepared for that.

And I am very aware that not all high schools offer advanced classes. I live in wyoming. I know of many schools that offer almost no AP classes. Students who want to apply to the academies, Harvard, etc. Take community college classes or online classes on their own. Again, not a cut on state universities. Simply stating that such schools make it possible for a student to come up to the level and expectations required compared to the academies that tell you these are the classes you will take. Good luck.
 
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