Opt out of AP Tests if no plans to validate?
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ekb1398
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The Academy does validation based on tests and generally without regard to AP scores. I would say the only benefit to an AP test would be in the event that nobody wants to talk about, which is a DOR or medical DQ over Swab Summer or 4/c year and he ends up going to school elsewhere.
However, I would strongly recommend to all that any classes that a Cadet can validate be validated. Almost always, you don't end up getting the "GPA boost" that many feel they'll gain by not validating classes. The more classes you can validate, the more room is in your schedule for either things that you want to do that aren't part of the major curriculum and/or allow for a cadet to slide some courses up to balance those notoriously hard semesters out a little bit or a cushion should (again, worst case scenario) some classes be failed. It can pay dividends when you are an upperclass and get to leave the Academy three times a week in civvies to take a class at Conn! Other's here may disagree, but that it my two cents. I only validated one class and it has made my Academy experience much better for it.
However, I would strongly recommend to all that any classes that a Cadet can validate be validated. Almost always, you don't end up getting the "GPA boost" that many feel they'll gain by not validating classes. The more classes you can validate, the more room is in your schedule for either things that you want to do that aren't part of the major curriculum and/or allow for a cadet to slide some courses up to balance those notoriously hard semesters out a little bit or a cushion should (again, worst case scenario) some classes be failed. It can pay dividends when you are an upperclass and get to leave the Academy three times a week in civvies to take a class at Conn! Other's here may disagree, but that it my two cents. I only validated one class and it has made my Academy experience much better for it.
This is EXACTLY the kind of insight I was hoping for. THANK YOU @ekb1398 for taking the time to share your thoughts!
My daughter is planning to request a refund on all 5 of her AP tests for this year which is now an option due to COVID-19. They made the kids register so early that she didn't know at the time whether she was accepted.
My daughter was told the opposite about validating out of classes when she had her overnight and also from a friend of hers who is there now. I wish they could validate out of English, because she would do that. But she will likely not choose to validate out of Chemistry or Calc (even though she got a 5 on her AP Calc AB Test and is in AP Calc C right now) because she'd rather be sure she really has the topics down since she will be taking additional math and science classes. I guess it might depend on the major though.
My daughter was told the opposite about validating out of classes when she had her overnight and also from a friend of hers who is there now. I wish they could validate out of English, because she would do that. But she will likely not choose to validate out of Chemistry or Calc (even though she got a 5 on her AP Calc AB Test and is in AP Calc C right now) because she'd rather be sure she really has the topics down since she will be taking additional math and science classes. I guess it might depend on the major though.
I’ve heard so many different things about validating. I’ve had cadets tell me to absolutely validate everything and some that have told me not to validate anything. I’m not really sure what I will do at this point, but I likely will only validate the subjects I’m extremely confident in. I’m sure I could use going through Chem I again especially after not taking it since sophomore year(assuming that I would even do well on the validation exam in the first place).
how did you go about getting a full refund? I also had to register early but I can’t seem to find where to get the refund. Thanks!
She hasn't gotten it yet, but it is definitely listed as an option in the recent COVID-19 AP updates. She emailed College Board and they said you had to go through your AP Coordinator. So she emailed her high school principal and he said the school would be giving instructions in the next couple weeks.
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@ekb1398 provided a fantastic response. The typical academic load for a SA Cadet exceeds the suggested maximums for most colleges. Students following the core curriculum tend to end up with what would have equated to a masters degree at a normal college (in terms of credit hours completed). In my opinion, your future self will thank you for reducing the load where possible. Some students will simply have fewer classes but others could use the schedule availability to pursue a second major.
To add data to this point:
"A standard full-time study load is usually 30 credit hours per year. Typically, in order to graduate with a degree, universities expect students to complete:
- 120-130 credit hours for a Bachelor’s degree
- 30-64 credit hours for a Master's degree"
What You Need to Know about Academic Credit Systems in the U.S. - MastersPortal.com
How does the credit system work in the United States and how are American credits different from European credits (ECTS)? What is the difference between credit
www.mastersportal.com
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I will give my opinion and it is a balance between the two schools of thought on validation and AP credit. My two kids, one a Cow at USMA and the other a Freshman at a large state school, have followed it and are happy so far.
You should look to validate and use AP credit for courses that do not build on or provide a foundation for more advanced courses that are required in your selected major. Tracks of courses in your major should be taken at the school as AP is not the same as college.
What does that look like: A student that wants to major in Engineering should probably not look to validate calculus or physics but could easily validate History or English to free up classes later in the schedule. A pre-med major should probably not validate chemistry or psychology but could skip a language or humanities.
You should look to validate and use AP credit for courses that do not build on or provide a foundation for more advanced courses that are required in your selected major. Tracks of courses in your major should be taken at the school as AP is not the same as college.
What does that look like: A student that wants to major in Engineering should probably not look to validate calculus or physics but could easily validate History or English to free up classes later in the schedule. A pre-med major should probably not validate chemistry or psychology but could skip a language or humanities.
I would agree with this. My understanding for USCGA is that the only possible classes that can be validated are Calc, Chem, and Physics. Can any current cadet verify this? We also were told if you took AP Gov and got a 5 on the test then it was an option to skip that, but unfortunately my daughter got a 4 on that particular AP test.
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There is nothing wrong with validating strategically. Validate courses you are confident in, when possible, and don't bother with those courses where you feel shaky. Calc might be a good one not to validate (for the general population).... but that's just me... Calc hurts my head although I used it pretty well in my senior year macro economics course.
ekb1398
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@ProudMom7 Current Cadet - physics, chem, and calc are the only ones they "advertise." Any class can be validated with approval of department head (I think - maybe course coordinator? Can't remember off the top of my head, but there is a process). For example, I tried to validate Mechanics of Materials, but was denied because there was no lab portion to it at my previous college.
Can you validate out of the College Composition course?
ekb1398
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I couldn't say for that particular course off the top of my head. Sorry.
brownnugen
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When does the validation process happen? Right after Swab Summer, before the academic year begins?
During swab summer. Then there is a week after swab summer but before classes where you will have a chance to talk with your advisor. You will get to discuss your scores, find out which courses you have the option to validate, and then decide which ones you choose to validate.
Haveaniceday
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Just another data point: Our kid validated Chem, Calculus 2 and Swimming and would do it again today, as it opened up so much time later on and made them eligible to exchange at another academy for a semester. Doing good on the swim test gets you out of remedial "rock" swimming which is a big time suck if assigned, so being able to swim before you report will help with your schedule and put more time in your day.
@ekb1398 gives good advice here as usual. Many cadets believe not validating and repeating will get them an easy A, often this is not the case. I recommend you take all validation tests, just because you do well, you don't automatically validate. The next step is during MAP week you meet with your academic adviser who has your high school records and your validation scores, and you discuss options. It is major and cadet dependent on the best course of action. For example, not all calculus is the same; AP Calc AB is much easier than AP Calc BC and honors Calc is basically undefined, plus when was the course taken? Did you get an A but your test average was a C and you got an A from attendance, quizzes and a project? Did you score a 3 on the AP test or a 5? This is why the academy method is the best: take the validation tests, meet with counselor who views the test scores in conjunction with your HS transcript and intended major and upcoming semester course load. Lots of factors to consider.
You must take 15 units a semester or more as an academic load. You must also take a PE class and Navigation (I think included in academic load) class each semester. You will also be assigned a Division job each semester which will take 10-15 hours a week of work like a part time job. Plus you will take a sport each semester too.
To answer the OPs question, I would definitely take all AP tests, they will let you know where you are based on nationwide scoring data, and like @ekb1398 said, they earn credits in case you don't finish swab summer or if you transfer out at the 2 year point. Unless the cost is very prohibitive for your family, recommend you take the AP exams.
Good luck, lots of good points in this thread.
@ekb1398 gives good advice here as usual. Many cadets believe not validating and repeating will get them an easy A, often this is not the case. I recommend you take all validation tests, just because you do well, you don't automatically validate. The next step is during MAP week you meet with your academic adviser who has your high school records and your validation scores, and you discuss options. It is major and cadet dependent on the best course of action. For example, not all calculus is the same; AP Calc AB is much easier than AP Calc BC and honors Calc is basically undefined, plus when was the course taken? Did you get an A but your test average was a C and you got an A from attendance, quizzes and a project? Did you score a 3 on the AP test or a 5? This is why the academy method is the best: take the validation tests, meet with counselor who views the test scores in conjunction with your HS transcript and intended major and upcoming semester course load. Lots of factors to consider.
You must take 15 units a semester or more as an academic load. You must also take a PE class and Navigation (I think included in academic load) class each semester. You will also be assigned a Division job each semester which will take 10-15 hours a week of work like a part time job. Plus you will take a sport each semester too.
To answer the OPs question, I would definitely take all AP tests, they will let you know where you are based on nationwide scoring data, and like @ekb1398 said, they earn credits in case you don't finish swab summer or if you transfer out at the 2 year point. Unless the cost is very prohibitive for your family, recommend you take the AP exams.
Good luck, lots of good points in this thread.
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Jeeplady777
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Is there a description somewhere of what the swim test entails so that incoming cadets can be working on those skills so they don’t end up in the remedial “rock” swimming as you mentioned?
DTT!FSA!
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Here is a link from the USCGA Parents Association site:
However, it is from quite a while ago, so may be out of date at this point.
However, it is from quite a while ago, so may be out of date at this point.
27BearDad
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The swim test this past swab summer was just swimming a 100 (4 lengths of the pool) using I believe 3 of the 4 competition strokes. Freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. I want to say no butterfly.
They off the high dive and tread water for like 5 minutes as well.
My daughter is on the swim team there so she was happy for the easy win. Lol