Senior Course Schedule

usafcellist2026

usafcellist2026

MSU AFROTC '26
Joined
Mar 6, 2021
Messages
617
I know usually senior year of high school is when you're supposed to take it easy, but that's the opposite when it comes to applying to SAs. I was wondering if my senior course schedule is going to be too stressful or if it's enough when the Admissions look at my transcript for STEM classes. (If that makes any sense at all).
Math courses- I've taken Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calc H
Science- Biology H, Chemistry H, and AP Physics
Social Studies- World History H, AP U.S History
Senior year- AP Calc, AP Environmental Science, AP Gov, AP Lit, along with my double major orchestra/band courses (we're a unique high school)
Am I stressing too much over this, or are there any changes I should make? I want to be able to focus on other aspects of my application as well.
 
Drenns3 said:
Have you had any foreign language classes? My high school required at least 2 years worth to graduate.
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Yup, I took Spanish 1 sophomore year (got tricked into Music Theory freshman year), and I'm now taking Spanish 2 Honors. I had to choose between the Science course or 3rd year of Spanish. For us 2 years of a foreign language is just recommended, or required if one wants a certain diploma.
 
Don't worry about others who might be taking it easy Senior Year. If you want to go to a Service Academy and become a leader in the United States Military, you have to put in the work, take challenges, and strive for excellence. Being a cadet or midshipmen at a United States Service Academy is not about just meeting requirements. It's about seeking challenges and crushing them. As a military officer, you aren't just expected to meet standards; you are expected to exceed what others demand from you. Challenge yourself and work hard.

Here's a great motto if you need some inspiration:
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Looking solid. However, time is precious and taking so many AP classes will eat away your time. That’s a fact. Personally, I wouldn’t take AP gov and instead opt for regular gov so you have more time to complete your necessary work / other aspects of your application. I’m a senior who didn’t take AP gov and that decision allowed me to have the necessary time to focus on my co-curriculars and other AP classes. However, that is just what worked for me personally.

Hope this helps.
 
Hello,
So I am also a current Junior like you selecting my senior year classes. I've taken BC Calc this year so my advice may make your schedule too rigorous but I recommend taking AP Chem instead of AP Environmental Science. I know how difficult Calculus is since I'm taking it this year so combining it with AP Chem may be too much. In the end if you think it is too much then I recommend going with the current schedule you created. Hope this helps!
 
Jman0714 said:
Looking solid. However, time is precious and taking so many AP classes will eat away your time. That’s a fact. Personally, I wouldn’t take AP gov and instead opt for regular gov so you have more time to complete your necessary work / other aspects of your application. I’m a senior who didn’t take AP gov and that decision allowed me to have the necessary time to focus on my co-curriculars and other AP classes. However, that is just what worked for me personally.

Hope this helps.
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I respectfully disagree. AP US Government is not as challenging of an AP Course, compared to others and taking a regular government class probably won't save you that much time. In fact, many High Schools combine AP US Government and Politics with AP Comparative Government into a one-year course, with each taking half of the semester.

I am not sure what USAFA's exact AP Validation policies are, but many schools like USNA allow you to validate freshman government with a good score on the AP US Government exam, which can be valuable in clearing up your schedule when you want to reduce your load, double major, etc.
 
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Jman0714 said:
Looking solid. However, time is precious and taking so many AP classes will eat away your time. That’s a fact. Personally, I wouldn’t take AP gov and instead opt for regular gov so you have more time to complete your necessary work / other aspects of your application. I’m a senior who didn’t take AP gov and that decision allowed me to have the necessary time to focus on my co-curriculars and other AP classes. However, that is just what worked for me personally.

Hope this helps.
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Aviator25 said:
I respectfully disagree. AP US Government is not as challenging of an AP Course, compared to others and taking a regular government class probably won't save you that much time. In fact, many High Schools combine AP US Government and Politics with AP Comparative Government into a one-year course, with each taking half of the semester.

I am not sure what USAFA's exact AP Validation policies are, but many schools like USNA allow you to validate freshman government with a good score on the AP US Government exam, which can be valuable in clearing up your schedule to reduce your load, double major, etc.
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Both of you are making solid points. I've heard AP Gov is not challenging as a concept, but more work-loaded. Maybe take AP Chem instead of the AP Environmental, and switch from AP Lit to English 12 Honors?
 
Joseph1220 said:
Hello,
So I am also a current Junior like you selecting my senior year classes. I've taken BC Calc this year so my advice may make your schedule too rigorous but I recommend taking AP Chem instead of AP Environmental Science. I know how difficult Calculus is since I'm taking it this year so combining it with AP Chem may be too much. In the end if you think it is too much then I recommend going with the current schedule you created. Hope this helps!
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Wow, my school only goes up to AB Calc! I've heard AP Chem is the most difficult AP class, even more so than AP Physics. Maybe I can take on the challenge, especially since I made the unwise decision of taking AP Physics right away instead of starting from regular or honors.
 
I can't speak to switching from AP Literature to English 12 Honors, since I don't know what English 12 Honors is like at your school, but AP credit is something. If you choose to take AP Government and AP Chemistry, my advice would be to be smart about studying. Be efficient when you work and when you learn. If your school is like mine and teachers occasionally waste a few minutes every class with attendance, passing out sheets, etc., treat that as an opportunity. You can finish your 5-10 minute assignments in class and save time later on. That gives you more time during the day to take more challenging classes and be involved in extracurriculars.

Discipline = Freedom. I would recommend you check out this video if you have not yet:
 
usafacellist2026 said:
Wow, my school only goes up to AB Calc! I've heard AP Chem is the most difficult AP class, even more so than AP Physics. Maybe I can take on the challenge, especially since I made the unwise decision of taking AP Physics right away instead of starting from regular or honors.
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AP Chemistry is probably one of the harder AP Exams out there. It's hard, but not impossible. That means if you're up for a challenge, you can do it.

Nothing worth doing is easy. Out of my school of 1,500 students, only 13 students took AP Chemistry last year and I was one of them. It's a hard course that many choose not to take. Many people got their first Cs or Ds on tests. However, it turned out to be one of the best experiences and classes I ever took.
 
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usafacellist2026 said:
Wow, my school only goes up to AB Calc! I've heard AP Chem is the most difficult AP class, even more so than AP Physics. Maybe I can take on the challenge, especially since I made the unwise decision of taking AP Physics right away instead of starting from regular or honors.
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Ha ha yeah same. I am currently taking AP Physics and haven't taken any honors for it. To be honest AP Physics isn't really that bad if you know calculus.
 
usafacellist2026 said:
Wow, my school only goes up to AB Calc! I've heard AP Chem is the most difficult AP class, even more so than AP Physics. Maybe I can take on the challenge, especially since I made the unwise decision of taking AP Physics right away instead of starting from regular or honors.
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My school goes to Calc 3! Also I am taking AP Chem right now and it is not too bad. I definitely recommend studying on OWL if you want to get a good score on the AP test. I was talking with a few of my (traditional) college friends and they use OWL in (traditional) colleges too, so you know you are using a program that is not just for high school students.
 
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