Registering for science- Jr year H.S. ?

S

snowieWI3

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
34
My DD is now registering for her Jr. year. Are certain science classes better than others when it comes to practicality if she were to be accepted in to the Academy or what they would like to see on a transcript? She is planning on majoring in STEM - not sure what exactly since she excells & enjoys her past & current math & science classes. She especially enjoys solving problems and loves to fix small engines in our garage with her dad... Her choices are:

AP Bio, AP Chem, Biotechnical Engineering, Marine Biology or AP Physics 1 (algebra based).

Any thoughts?
 
Concur with the others - although I would pick AP Chemistry out of all the others if your daughter can only choose one. If she can do multiple, definitely AP Chemistry and AP Physics.

I'm going to use this as opportunity to say that she should also, at some point, take a "fun" class just for the heck of it. AP and Honors level courses are important but I've started to see this trend where (mostly from parents) posters are advised to take every single difficult class and to drop "film" or "art" because the SAs don't care as much about them. Yes, your DD should absolutely take the most rigorous courses available and do well in them. But, the SAs also like to see well-rounded applicants. For example, I took every AP offered when I was in high school. But I also took three years of a choir course and a military history course as electives. The only reason I didn't take the choir course my senior year is because I replaced it with AP Music (hardest class I've ever taken by far). But, these kids are still kids and should enjoy learning, not just kill themselves trying to show how brilliant they are. A "fun" class can provide the mental break a high school student might need to be able to maintain excellence in the other courses.

Also, keep an eye on the AIM program for next year (summer going into her senior year) - it's a great opportunity for juniors to experience what USCGA is like.
 
Junior year my DD took AP Chemistry. When she attended junior year events at the USCGA it was reinforced that they are very much a STEM school. She left AIM and went right to her guidance office and registered for AP Physics because she was told if you don't take AP Physics you need to reconsider your senior schedule and challenge yourself. Now she's taking 7 AP classes her senior year - but she is headed to the USCGA c/o 2024!
 
snowieWI3 said:
My DD is now registering for her Jr. year. Are certain science classes better than others when it comes to practicality if she were to be accepted in to the Academy or what they would like to see on a transcript? She is planning on majoring in STEM - not sure what exactly since she excells & enjoys her past & current math & science classes. She especially enjoys solving problems and loves to fix small engines in our garage with her dad... Her choices are:

AP Bio, AP Chem, Biotechnical Engineering, Marine Biology or AP Physics 1 (algebra based).

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
IMHO AP Physics or AP Chem, not both. Taking both is A LOT (along with extracurriculars) and this is the year when grades need to really shine. I would work with her to be realistic with her time commitments. My DS enjoyed AP Physics I. He did not take AP Chemistry, just regular Chemistry. He was happy that he chose AP Physics as his junior year AP science. Feedback from the other students was that the AP Chem was a beast. Also would recommend your DD talk with classmates to get the word on the street. A hardcore teacher with a reputation for "over-teaching" to the AP exam is one to be avoided. And believe me, the students will know!
 
Last edited:
My junior daughter is doing AP Chem now and AP Physics senior year, but that's standard at her school. I believe their thinking is that more kids will have the necessary math as seniors to have a better physics experience.
 
Difficult to answer without knowing her math background. The AP Chem will help at the Academy. AP Physics 1 (Algebra based) is ok, but AP Physics Mechanics (calculus based) would be a better choice if offered and if she has the Calculus background. The others, biotech and marine bio would be lower on my list.

I cannot overemphasize enough that a good background in math will help in all these subjects. In fact, during SWAB summer cadets take refresher math class at the academy to prepare them for the school year.

@trackandfield08 nailed the part about balance considerations and applying to AIM. USCGA seeks not just smart candidates, but balanced ones with leadership potential.

Agree with @tycarpen that taking AP Chem and AP Physics at the same time will be extremely challenging for most.

Unfortunately, in the warped world of college admissions, an "A" in any of the listed courses will probably be more valuable than a "C" in a challenging AP, so you have to consider the risk to the GPA. Her current science teacher could probably give you a few data points on her potential for success in the next class after spending a year with her.

Good luck!
 
ChaseMe2 said:
Junior year my DD took AP Chemistry. When she attended junior year events at the USCGA it was reinforced that they are very much a STEM school. She left AIM and went right to her guidance office and registered for AP Physics because she was told if you don't take AP Physics you need to reconsider your senior schedule and challenge yourself. Now she's taking 7 AP classes her senior year - but she is headed to the USCGA c/o 2024!
Click to expand...
Interesting! My DS1 took 7/8 ( registered Calc BC took AP exam in both Calc AB and BC) AP his senior year.. c/o 2020! Congrats to your DD!
 
In addition to all of her available classes, highly recommend an online computer science class (AP Computer Science), or another class to show broad academic interest beyond the traditional classroom.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top