Physics and Calc

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usnahopeful2014

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
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Something that has been increasingly bothersome to me is the importance of taking physics and calc. I am NOT a math/science person, I'm decently good at the subjects but I hatee them :biggrin: it's not that I'm taking easy classes, I'm taking AP Environmental and AP Stats, but will my not taking those two classes kill my chances at admission or if I did get in would I be ok in completing them freshman year?
 
Probably not the best plan ever, not taking them, but I dropped physics my senior year because I hated it and knew I'd probably be taking it over again anyways. Getting ahead in calculus is nice, but only if you understand it enough to validate and not junk the next semester at the Academy. Take what you and enjoy and will do well in.
 
USNA is a science, engineering and technology school that must graduate the majority of its mids with a degree in a 'technology' major.

If you were to compare the schedules of most 4/c and many 3/c you will see that whether you are a History major or an Electrical Engineering major you must take Calculus, Physics and Chemistry.

Will it hurt you that you haven't taken these classes, statistically, maybe, maybe not.

USNA doesn't have much use for seeing AP Stats or AP Environmental (I'm assuming Science). Are they good classed to take, sure! They've given you another subject base and both are challenging.

It may be questioned that IF your hs offers Physics and Calculus why you wouldn't choose to take them, any exposure to these subjects is beneficial to you no matter what university program you enter.

At this point in the year there is nothing you can do regarding your scheduling choices. Live with them and do your BEST work this year! :thumb:
 
On the USNA website, they clearly state that they recommend taking a year of Physics with a lab and Calculus. Everyone has to take these courses their freshman year, unless you can exempt them. For me, I took them so that i would not be totally lost plebe year, because i am not a math or science kid either. I dont know if it will hurt you a lot, but it def wont help you.
 
Listen to SteveHolt. He is wise. Good to see you made it to your new home.
 
Don't worry to much about physics, I don't know anyone who really had that much trouble with it at the academy, as for Calc I agree with SteveHolt.
 
I definitely would rec'd taking the calc if you can. My son took regular physics (not AP) last year and he has been in the honor track for math all 4 years- received his first "C" last year in Honors pre-calc. His admissions officer from USNA called him a couple of months ago and told him that they were a little concerned about that C- if he could get a B this first quarter in AP Calc, he would have a pretty good chance. We hired a tutor and he has spent every day after school in his calc teacher's room for an hour a day and he did earn that B! He called his admissions ofcr. as soon as he found out and we received his LOA from USNA the other day (dated 3 days after he spoke to his admissions officer) and then an LOA from USAFA as well. So- I do think they take it seriously and want you to have that solid foundation in calc....
 
Chemistry hasn't been mentioned yet. Three current mids from my area recommended Chemistry. They said it was the class that helped prepare them the most for Navy. So I took AP Chem. instead of AP Physics.
 
I scored high A's in Honors Chem so I'm not to worried about that, but now even if I wanted to take calc and/or physics (which I do) it's too late unfortunately. I'll have to wait for freshman year...somewhere.
 
USNAHopeful,

I have seen posts here that state that a high school student that wasn't taking Chem or Calc, found a way to take on these classes via a continuing ed program at a community college. Maybe that is an option you can consider.

Good Luck.

GoNavyMom
 
GoNavyMom said:
USNAHopeful,

I have seen posts here that state that a high school student that wasn't taking Chem or Calc, found a way to take on these classes via a continuing ed program at a community college. Maybe that is an option you can consider.

Good Luck.

GoNavyMom
Click to expand...

Yeah I considered that, but I'm in a sports all year that meet every day. I don't get home every day until anywhere from 5:30-9:00 pm...then do homework. I'm sure everyone else is in the same boat though so maybe there's a way?
 
Some continuing education programs meet on weekends. Look for an online program.

Where there's a will there's a way.

GoNavyMom
 
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