If I major in environmental geography at West Point, should I take AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, or both? I am a sophomore, and I would take these classes during my junior year. I understand they give AP credit to AP chem and not environmental science, but which would look better with my preferred major? Also, I am taking APUSH, CP Pre Calculus, Honors English 3, and NJROTC 3 Honors next year as well. Thank you.
West Point does not consider or accept AP classes for credit. USMA administers its own assessments prior to the academic year to determine placement and enable Plebes to validate courses based on the academy’s determination of your mastery of subject matter. They want to see that all candidates (regardless of what you think you might major in) are strong in math, chemistry, and physics, so take the AP chemistry course if that is the most rigorous available to you. You will choose your major during the second half of Plebe year, but you will be taking some level of calculus, chemistry, and physics that entire year. Focus on being strong in those subjects as you will not begin the sequence of courses for your major until Yuk (sophomore) year.
Don’t pick your AP classes based on what you think you would like to major in. Do something that interests you and is challenging because, as you probably know, West Point doesn’t accept AP credits. They just want to see that you are challenging yourself. When I was in high school, I took more than 10 APs and a bunch of honors classes, and while that is extreme and I died a little, it showed West Point that I took my academics seriously and was committed to doing well in school. Your grades and academic achievement are 60% of your Whole Candidate Score, so it’s really important to do well in this area.
Also, keep your mind open to new majors and possibilities when you do come here. West Point offers many interesting classes, and I came in here focused on one thing, but ended up changing my mind.
Looks like you’re on the right path, so keep it up!
@TheMoreYouKnow So they wouldn’t care whether I took AP Environmental Science compared to AP Chem?
@ryanalexander116: YOU will be the one who cares whether you took AP ES or AP Chem. AP ES will not help you at West Point; AP Chem could be a lifeline as a firm understanding of chemistry is necessary to pass freshman Chem. It’s one of the three (required) “Plebe Killer” classes, along with calc and physics. Only after you’ve taken the most rigourous courses available to you in those three subjects should you concern yourself about any others.
Nope, West point will not care. I do recommend AP Chem though because I took that as a junior in high school and I did really well in the class here. Especially if your school has a rigorous chem program, you should take AP chem because it will be a great foundation.
However, if you like environmental science more and think you would do better in that class, take it! Generally, you will do better in something you are passionate about and since you are considering majoring in environmental geography, AP environmental science may be something you relate to more.
Weigh your options, but in the end, you’ll have to take the basic classes here and many people do well with or without an AP background. Hope I answered your question @ryanalexander116 
@TheMoreYouKnow Would it be any different at the Naval Academy?
@ryanalexander116, I don’t think so. Because I’m a cadet at West Point, I don’t really know how the academic life is at Navy, but I did apply and get accepted there, so I do have that experience. From what I can tell, there is no difference. The academies are pretty similar as far as application process, considerations of a candidate, and program at the actual academy.
Basically, I think the Naval Academy would say the same thing, so what I said previously still stands. Hope this helps
No. You would take USNA’s placement courses. But, since you asked, Go Navy! Beat Army!
Good luck whichever way you decide.
Thanks guys! @TheMoreYouKnow @Sportsman88 Also, could someone explain to me how to apply to multiple service academies? Would I have to do whole different applications for each school or could I use some stuff from one on the other (CFA Scores, etc.)?
Good question!! So the basis of the application is the same. I applied to Army, Navy, and Air Force, but cose the best one of course (Go Army!). Other than the specific essay prompts and maybe some paperwork, you can use your CFA scores, DoDMERB results, all the extracurricular activities, test scores and so on for every application. Like I said, the only thing that will really be different is the essay prompts, but even then, you can sometimes use ideas from one essay in another academy’s essay. By paperwork, I mean that for example, Air Force will require a copy of your passport while Navy may not.
If you take your CFA at SLE or NASS like I did, you can email your representative to help you transfer whichever set of scores was better to the other academies so they will have your CFA scores on record. If you take it at your gym or elsewhere, you can send the same scores to all the academies since they all have the same CFA standards.