Currently finishing up my sophomore year of high school. 1st semester I didn’t do very well and only had a 3.7 weighted gpa and I recognize that I made the mistake of slacking off after being used to things being easy. This semester I currently have a 4.0 weighted possibly soon to be a 4.2-4.4 as long as I work hard these next to weeks. I now have to decide what classes I want to take next semester. I’m currently enrolled in engineering classes here and I have the option of doing history over the summer and choosing either to do a second manufacturing engineering class or joining rotc. However my fear is that I’m ranked in the top 17% of my class and taking a non weighted summer school history class would not help me raise my class rank. What is the best thing to do here?
Sophomore Year and needing guidance
- Thread starter mariah02
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I know this is not the answer you're seeking but here it is: The next thing you should do is spend 3 hours searching this forum for threads from high school students asking about preparation. There are hundreds if not thousands of comments from very knowledgeable people about this very topic. Furthermore, the process of applying to service academies requires lots of reading, understanding, and following specific instructions so you should get in the habit now of digging through information for answers. Study hard for ACT/SAT. Be a leader in school and community. Become self sufficient in this process. I wish you the best.
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Start by taking a hard look at the USAFA class profile demographics:
Here is a link:
http://www.neoafapa.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/2020_-_Demographic_Profiles.28172549.pdf
Here is a link:
http://www.neoafapa.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/2020_-_Demographic_Profiles.28172549.pdf
KTMDad
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Can you take the History class at a local junior college which would be a weighted class?
They only consider UNWEIGHTED GPA at USAFA, and while class rank does matter, it shouldn't stop you from taking a class simply because you won't get a better weighted GPA or a better class rank. If you don't have 2 years of US History under your belt then absolutely take the summer class, because that's on their list of required courses for a competitive application.
The most important thing bar none is to not slack off junior year, no matter what classes you have.
Best of Luck
The most important thing bar none is to not slack off junior year, no matter what classes you have.
Best of Luck
KTMDad
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I respectfully disagree with this advice if I understand it correctly. As a parent of two USAFA Cadets, GPA/Class Rank is probably the heaviest weighted component of your application scoring. I would always recommend taking the most challenging classes offered (A/P, Honors, college, etc.) to bump your GPA/Class Rank. This isn't just for advice for USAFA but any college. You are competing against students who are taking the most challenging classes available and even taking community college classes when available. If you can, always opt for the weighted class (if available) and do well in them. While USAFA does convert weighted GPA's to non-weighted GPA's, class rank does not get recalculated. Good luck.
ColoradoRed
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Mariah02: Everyone is correct. The AFA asks for the unweighted GPA in the application process, so the closer to a 4.0 the better.
Do they review your transcripts and the type of classes you have taken? You betcha. Will they choose a candidate that has taken AP classes over another candidate with a higher GPA and a lighter courseload? Probably! But many factors are in play for acceptance, including your demographics.
My recommendations are:
Take the hardest Science and Math classes you are able. Get an A, not lower than a B. The rest of your courseload should be the hardest classes you are able to take without sacrificing your GPA. Meaning don't load up with all AP if you can't pull off good grades. Downscale, if you need to, on the less important classes to keep up your grades in the Math/Science classes. Start taking the ACT/SAT now. Practice helps.
You mention class rank. That is more difficult. Is the school 1000 in the graduating class or 200?
Do they review your transcripts and the type of classes you have taken? You betcha. Will they choose a candidate that has taken AP classes over another candidate with a higher GPA and a lighter courseload? Probably! But many factors are in play for acceptance, including your demographics.
My recommendations are:
Take the hardest Science and Math classes you are able. Get an A, not lower than a B. The rest of your courseload should be the hardest classes you are able to take without sacrificing your GPA. Meaning don't load up with all AP if you can't pull off good grades. Downscale, if you need to, on the less important classes to keep up your grades in the Math/Science classes. Start taking the ACT/SAT now. Practice helps.
You mention class rank. That is more difficult. Is the school 1000 in the graduating class or 200?
There are around 730 people in my graduating class and as of last semester I’m around 120 in terms of rank. I had a 3.0 unweighted GPA last semester and a 3.5 weighted but currently coming up to my last week of school I have a 3.6 unweighted and a 4.17 weighted which I’m hoping will bring my class rank up. I’m not sure if it’s possible for me to take a college class to replace my poor first semester grades but it would be something I’m interested in knowing and if there’s anyway to come back from the mistakes I made my sophomore year knowing I’m capable of doing much better.