Senior Course Selection- Science!?!?!

Annapolis Bound said:
I'm not absolutely positive, but I believe the Naval Academy only looks at your Freshman-Junior years. I would take a AP Chemistry since the Naval Academy offers a very heavy dose of STEM courses your Plebe year.
Click to expand...
Just relaying our experience: My son is currently awaiting his BFE- Someone from Admissions called him last fall IN CLASS (lol) and asked if he was currently taking physics. Just an FYI!
 
Admissions Board does on occasion request first semester senior grades if there is some question regarding a candidate's academic work ethic and general academic readiness before a final vote is taken regarding academic qualification. Usually not a good sign.
Click to expand...

Asking for first semester grades isn't necessarily a bad sign. If they didn't ask, then they either thought you were qualified or not and the first semester grades would not change their mind. The first semester grades helps solidify a decision either way (i.e. the candidate might be on the fence).

I don't think one can say it is a good OR bad sign. An argument could be made for someone who has been improving from Sophomore to Senior year and the AB might want to confirm that trend by seeing the first semester grades.
 
USNA does ask for the classes you are planning to take your Senior year when you submit your initial application and may or may not request Senior transcripts. My advice, based on what I heard the Dean of Admissions tell an applicant last August, is to take AP Chem. He pretty much told this young lady that already had her senior class schedule, to drop what ever she needed to drop, even if it meant AP Bio, and replace it with AP Chem. You've already taken AP Physics, so I would do the AP Chem.
 
My DS chose to send in his first semester grades of his Senior yr because his class rank improved and he wanted that on record....as usnabgo08 said, don't look on it as a good sign or bad sign...I have always told my DS that when something is requested or suggested in these situations, look on it as a "test" a test to see if you are still interested, if you are still giving it your all and not falling into the senioritis trap. Regarding taking AP Chem vs Physics...sometimes it is all dependent upon what is available and the times they are available. For my DS, he took Honors Chem in Sophmore yr and fnished with a "B" but could not make AP Chem work for either his Junior or Senior yr because of the scheduling conflict with his other classes so in Junior yr he took AP Bio and made an "A" took the exam and scored a "5" and this yr his Senior yr he is taking AP Physics and so far has an "A" Taking the rigorous classes and doing well in them is the goal and hopefully that fits into your schedule....good luck. :)
 
I am in similar situation. At my HS, they offer both IB and AP classes. I have gone the IB route and have not looked back. My question is as I have one one slot for next year and not sure what to take. I will be taking HL English, Math, Physics and History of the Americas and SL French, ITGS and TOK. Current GPA is 3.94 UW and 26/468. Do I take AP Chem for one year or not?
 
Lots of good advice in the responses. Chemistry--required of all plebes--tends to be a tough class and taking AP Chem could result in validation or at the very least provide a strong familiarity with the material. Senior year classes are indeed considered. We had a candidate who took few challenging classes his senior year, no calc, and mostly humanities--this indicated a failure to challenge him/herself academically and didn't prepare him/her for the rigor of the STEM classes at USNA. This type of senior year schedule will be a red flag for the board when evaluating an applicant. The academy wants the mids to succeed academically, so taking AP classes as well as high level math and science classes make a significant impact in the board's decision in determining the whole person score.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top