USAFA academic requirements

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HeonsMom1

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My son (Junior) needs to add a computer class to his schedule. Can anyone tell me what kind of computer class they are looking for admission to the Academy? Also here is what he has for math. Will this be enough? Thank you!

Algebra l
Geometry H
Algebra ll Honors
PRECALCULUS
PHYSICS Sr year
 
HeonsMom1 said:
My son (Junior) needs to add a computer class to his schedule. Can anyone tell me what kind of computer class they are looking for admission to the Academy? Also here is what he has for math. Will this be enough? Thank you!

Algebra l
Geometry H
Algebra ll Honors
PRECALCULUS
PHYSICS Sr year
Click to expand...

If he can take Calculus, I would add that to his schedule. As for 'computer class'... my son took two years of AP Computer Science. Not sure if your school offers something like that; however, it was a fun class for my son. The more rigor you have the better... especially in the STEM courses.
 
HeonsMom1 said:
My son (Junior) needs to add a computer class to his schedule. Can anyone tell me what kind of computer class they are looking for admission to the Academy? Also here is what he has for math. Will this be enough? Thank you!

Algebra l
Geometry H
Algebra ll Honors
PRECALCULUS
PHYSICS Sr year
Click to expand...
Personally, I don't think it's absolutely necessary to enroll in a computer science class. In high school, I took a Computer Aided Drafting class and I was just fine... If his school offers it maybe look into coding like python?
 
HeonsMom1 said:
We are working on his schedule for next year. Not as of now. Should he?
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This (click on "This" to go to reference) is what USAFA has on their website with regards to calculus:
Note: A solid foundation in algebra is more valuable than exposure to calculus.

Academic rigor is important, but so are many other factors taken into consideration when the WCS is calculated for each candidate. Is a C in calculus better than an A in Precalculus? No one knows because it will be a different answer for each individual candidate...the WCS is comprised of too many factors (some never known) to provide an across the board answer and if your DS is applying to multiple SAs the answer will likely differ for each SA. Good luck to your DS!
 
BravoFoxtrotEcho said:
Candidates should strive to take calculus (or the most rigorous math courses available) before entering USAFA.
However, neither the SAT nor the ACT test at the calculus level.
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I can only go with what my DS told me. His math scores went up 3 points after taking calculus, and he said it was from the class.
 
Calculus is 1 of those courses that will separate the smart and the real smart and IMOP is a benchmark
 
From what I have seen and what I have been told by my DS:

Take Calculus is you can. AP is even better. He was able to get credit for 1st semester Calculus with what he learned in AB. He has a Squad mate who got credit for both semesters of Calculus from what he learned in BC. They don't really look at the AP score, placement is done via an exam you take before you arrive on I Day. Doolie year is hard enough so any credits you can get are always plus.

You will have to take one Computer Science class as part of the Core curriculum. More if you go into any Computer Science or Engineering Major. Having a basic programming class in HS gives you a head start and may make it easier (again Doolie year is a culture shock so anything that makes it any easier is a plus). DS's High school didn't offer any AP Computer Science so he took two AP classes online offered through Rice University. His college counselor at his school had to set it up for him but the classes have helped him a lot.

As others have said. Take the hardest classes your High School has to offer, especially in Math and Science (Chemistry and Physics)

Good Luck!
 
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