Senior Classes

[zoesmith]

Hi everyone,
I'm soon picking my senior classes, and wanted to get some input:
Note- We're on a semester college schedule, so I can take 2 sets of classes per school year

Summer Semester:
College Chem with Lab

Semester 1:
College Stats (possibly honors)
College Public Speaking and Communications (Requirement)
HS Honors British Literature
College Basketball and College cardio/weightlifting (Coaches already agreed to help me prep for the CFA)
HS Civics Honors
HS Yearbook (elective)
College/Career planning

Semester 2:
College Calculus
College English with emphasis on writing
Computer Study/Other computer class
HS Yearbook (yearlong)
HS Economics Honors
College Basketball and College cardio/weightlifting
College/Career planning

I also have 3 years of Russian as a language, but I'll possibly do online classes to get a 4th year

Any suggested changes? I comply with the academic requirements on their website, but am a little nervous that my schedule isn't enough to put me at a good academic standpoint.

Thanks,
Zoe

 

[caernarvonkjaer]

Hi everyone,
I'm soon picking my senior classes, and wanted to get some input:
Note- We're on a semester college schedule, so I can take 2 sets of classes per school year

Summer Semester:
College Chem with Lab

Semester 1:
College Stats (possibly honors)
College Public Speaking and Communications (Requirement)
HS Honors British Literature
College Basketball and College cardio/weightlifting (Coaches already agreed to help me prep for the CFA)
HS Civics Honors
HS Yearbook (elective)
College/Career planning

Semester 2:
College Calculus
College English with emphasis on writing
Computer Study/Other computer class
HS Yearbook (yearlong)
HS Economics Honors
College Basketball and College cardio/weightlifting
College/Career planning

I also have 3 years of Russian as a language, but I'll possibly do online classes to get a 4th year

Any suggested changes? I comply with the academic requirements on their website, but am a little nervous that my schedule isn't enough to put me at a good academic standpoint.

Thanks,
Zoe

Disclaimer: no one knows for sure.

But you want suggestions? I wouldn't sweat the little stuff since much of what goes into an applicant review is speculative. Surely they'll look at the rigor of your course work, but I'd stay focused on what they say is academically important. GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT. Honors, IB or AP courses change your weighted GPA. I'd consider their value to the process from that perspective more than how advanced the courses are. Did you get through Calc BC or did you stop at pre-calc and head in the direction of descriptive stats? Advanced HS calculus might look better than stats, but I'd be more worried about the GPA and class rank. Overall, I'd prefer a 1650 SAT to a 1600. My reasoning? Because they said those are the important things that they evaluate and specifically make the point that a solid foundation in algebra is more important than exposure to calculus.

So, if you think GPA, class rank and SAT would be the same or better taking more advanced classes, then go for it. If not, you may want to focus the extra energy into a program that improves fitness or shows leadership potential.

Very best of luck!

 

[USAFA10s]

Did I miss the science classes? I see you have chem over the summer, what about physics? I'd say if your plan is to go to USAFA, you should try to take physics because it is one of the tougher freshman classes and having exposure to it would really help. Similarly, for your computer science class, make sure it is an intro to programming of some sort - that is an extremely valuable skill and I can't think of how a non programming computer class would be of any benefit. My 2 cents.

 

[zoesmith]

Did I miss the science classes? I see you have chem over the summer, what about physics? I'd say if your plan is to go to USAFA, you should try to take physics because it is one of the tougher freshman classes and having exposure to it would really help. Similarly, for your computer science class, make sure it is an intro to programming of some sort - that is an extremely valuable skill and I can't think of how a non programming computer class would be of any benefit. My 2 cents.

I took physics (with lab) sophomore year but will possibly retake it as a college class in winter session. Thank you for the computer class info!