Schedule Senior Year?

hardknock96

5-Year Member
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Jan 28, 2013
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:confused:I am scheduling my classes for senior year. I wanted to ask a few questions and see what the forum thinks. I am debating on not taking a math next year and taking AICE(college progam like IB or AP) Environmental Science for the science category. Would this have a negative perspective from a ROTC scolarship board or a Service academy admission officer? I need to make the right decision concerning my chances to be accepted.

Gpa: 3.3uw 3.7w rank:top 20%

my schedule:
AICE european hisory or(probaly)AICE global perspectives
AICE Psychology
AICE spanish
AICE environmental science
AICE general paper
AICE literature 2
JROTC 3

I havent planned anything yet its just coming up. If need be I can take biology(AICE) instead of environmental science. I can also take AP stat (forget calculus). What are your reccomendations for my best shot at an academy nomination. I dont want to have too much of a "fluffy" schedule despite the fact im not a math person.:confused:
 
I would recommend taking math (unless you've already completed the equivalent of College Calc 2), and as for the choice between Biology and Env. Sci; if you can handle and do well in Bio - take that.

The rigor of your senior year schedule is definitely a factor in getting admission, so maybe even talk to someone from WP admissions to make sure you're making the right choices.
 
In order to be academically qualified, you must have 4 years of math on your transcript and at least complete through Pre-calculus/trigonometry. If your transcripts include something like 8th grade algebra, you may still make that 4 year requirement; however:
1) not taking calculus will hurt you in a head to head competition with another candidate
2) you will have to take calculus at West Point. Why would you substitute taking a class that you are not required to take? Seeing the material for the first time at West Point where you have to teach yourself will make it that much more difficult.
3) math skills atrophy when you don't use them, so not taking a math course will hurt you when taking the SAT or ACT this fall.
 
Ditto what 845 says....PLUS I would take a chemistry or physics class instead of that environmental science.
 
Senior Year Schedule

Do NOT let up your senior year. Take the math. Take a second math or science. STEM classes are your best friends. Make a full schedule with your only break being a senior privileges or study period, in which you actually make sure you're doing work.
 
Low GPA and no math your Sr. year will hurt your chances.
My DS is taking pre-calc this summer so that he can take AP Calc his senior year.
 
do a lot of candidates finish calc 2 in high school? or do most of them complete just calc 1?
 
do a lot of candidates finish calc 2 in high school? or do most of them complete just calc 1?

It probably varies depending on what's offered at individual high schools and how well a candidate has done in math from jr high on. My DS doubled up on math in jr high and ended up 2 yrs ahead as a freshman. He's in Calc 3 now, and AP Stats (did AP Calc BC as a jr). But there's no way you could do that many math classes taking the regular math path.
 
DS could only get through AP Calc 1. There was room in the schedule for AP Calc 2 (BC) but it did not mesh with his schedule. He too doubled up on math sophomore year to get to that point.
 
However concerning the SAT aCT i plan to take multuple prep courses over the summer and take the tests at the beginning of the year.
 
However concerning the SAT aCT i plan to take multuple prep courses over the summer and take the tests at the beginning of the year.

If you only start taking the SAT/ACT in the Fall of your senior year, you are limiting the number of times you can take each test and have it count. Everyone should start taking the tests at least in their junior year if not earlier, to get a feel for the test(s), get a baseline score and see where you need improvement.

As those above have said, you will need Chemistry, Physics and ideally Calculus classes to be competitive. Those are the core classes Plebe year. If you have had no exposure to these classes in high school, it will be tougher for you at USMA should you get an appointment. If your high school doesn't offer these classes, you can try to take them at a community college. But skipping Calc, Chem or Physics to take Environmental Science or Biology instead, or just because you don't like them/are not good in them, will not help your application -- it will make you less competitive.
 
However concerning the SAT aCT i plan to take multuple prep courses over the summer and take the tests at the beginning of the year.

You need to take one of the tests before summer is over... Most congressional noms have a due date at the end of September, and you won't get a nom without test scores...
 
Good reminder Iowa73! I forgot about the nom process/deadlines. Hopefully most high school students are not waiting until the Fall of their senior year to start taking the ACT/SAT, whether they are applying to a SA, ROTC scholarship or civilian college. That's really late to the game.
 
Update

I am taking four AICE classes for my senior year. AICE is a program by Cambridge that is usually found in the south. They are the same as AP's or so im told.

I made a compromise off the information I found here and other sources to not take a math based science but take math as a class. For physics this year I have a B, but that B was all hustle and by no means am I a hotshot at math. Im taking AICE environmental science. I am taking a math, MCR,to strengthen my base that was developed so poorly. Me and my guidance counseler decided it was good as math is not my strong point. The other two classes I will take is Journalism honors and JROTC 3.

From the information on this forum I concluded my average math performance can be overcome with a solid test scores. There will be ALOT of studying this summer to assure the ACT is under my foot.

I am taking two writing/english classes and the highest level of spanish. Though I understand math on test scores and for GPA is important. I do not want the STEM route for a career but instead to be a translator dealing with languages and writing. This is my strong point, math is not. Thanks for the help in deciding what I want and need.
 
So are you saying you have not taken the ACT or SAT yet, you may really pushing the deadline if you have not.
 
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