Question about HS Course selection

[2022]

Hi,

I am currently a sophomore in high school. Course selection for junior year is coming up, and I have a question about what I should do.

I am in a position right now where I could take AP Chem junior year and AP Physics senior year, or take AP Physics and AP Physics C both years. I really don’t know what I should do service academy wise.

Details:
In my school, if you want to be able to do 3 AP sciences, you need to take Honors Bio freshman year. Due to me not having prerequisites from 8th grade, I was unable to do this, and instead took Honors Geo Physical Science freshman year, a class that did actually cover physics a little. Additionally, I am currently taking “PLTW Principles of Engineering” right now, a class that is very, very heavy on physics. I will be giving the PLTW exam on this around June.

In case this helps, here are the Honors/AP/College classes in addition to the ones above, some are completed, some happening next year(I have more AP's planned in senior year too, but I don’t know how much of an impact those have due to the SA timeline):

AP World - 10
AP Comp Sci Principles(Independent Study) - 10
AP Comp Sci A(Independent Study) - 11
AP US - 11
AP Lang - 11
AP Precalc(hopefully school offers) - 11
Honors English - 9/10
Honors Chinese(5th year taking Chinese this year if that helps, plan on continuing till senior year) - 10/11
Honors Bio - 10
Accelerated Algebra 2 - 10
Accelerated Geometry - 9
PLTW Intro to Engineering - 9, got highest category “Distinguished” on the exam.
PLTW DE - 11


I want to in either major aerospace/aeronautical or Comp sci, and I intend on applying at USAFA too.

Thanks

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

AP Chem and AP Physics, all things being equal, would likely prepare you best. Get A's in both, if you can. Don't forget about leadership ECAs, physical fitness and sports and having some fun. Good luck!

 

[2022]

AP Chem and AP Physics, all things being equal, would likely prepare you best. Get A's in both, if you can. Don't forget about leadership ECAs, physical fitness and sports and having some fun. Good luck!

Thank you. So you think it would be best to do 1 yr of both?

 

[Capt MJ]

Go to the primary source, review and discuss a strategy with your guidance counselor.

General Advice for Grades 9-12

General Advice for Grades 9-12 page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Sat Mar 04 04:37:58 EST 2023.

www.usna.edu

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

Thank you. So you think it would be best to do 1 yr of both?

yes, 1 year of each.

 

[Jabor3]

USNA spells it out very clearly: One year of Chem and one year of Physics is what they’d like to see, over 2 years of physics.

FAQ

FAQ page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Sat Mar 18 04:29:36 EDT 2023.

www.usna.edu

I’ve never heard of AP Precalc… maybe our school just didn’t offer it though.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

USNA spells it out very clearly: One year of Chem and one year of Physics is what they’d like to see, over 2 years of physics.

FAQ

FAQ page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Sat Mar 18 04:29:36 EDT 2023.

www.usna.edu

I’ve never heard of AP Precalc… maybe our school just didn’t offer it though.

Yes, many HS have AP Precalc.

 

[FutureAcademyDad?]

The collegeboard.org site does not list such a class.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

The collegeboard.org site does not list such a class.

It may be called "Pre-AP", to be technically accurate (this has been available in Texas High Schools for some time). It may not have a higher weight, but I believe it helps prepare students better for AP Calc.

 

[THX2667]

AP Precalculus will be a new course for the 2023-1024 school year.

AP Precalculus—New for 2023-24 – AP Central | College Board

New for 2023-24, AP Precalculus will prepare a wider range of students to succeed in math they’ll encounter in college. Find info about the course for teachers and AP coordinators.

apcentral.collegeboard.org