I’d like to go to a service academy when I go to college. Although I’ll definitely be taking classes like Physics II and Chemistry II, the way my school does scheduling I have a free spot for a semester class each year. Would it affect my chances of getting in if I were to take a class in that free semester such as ceramics or another art class? The alternative is classes like power & energy and possibly ocean engineering. Also, my school only requires one semester of art to graduate, but I’ve heard most colleges require a year of art. Is that true? Thanks
The service academies want to see that you are strong in math (calculus), chemistry, and physics as you will have some level of all three your freshman year. They want to see that you have gone as far in these subjects as your school enables you to go. Your thread says “USNA,” but you are posting on the USMA forum. Doesn’t matter, both are heavily engineering schools (USNA particularly), so those are the subjects that matter most. Art will not matter at all to the academies. If you will complete the most rigorous sequence of math-chem-physics by the time you graduate, your other classes won’t matter much but, if you are interested in engineering or science, it will help you more to take those classes. The academies also want to see that you’ve taken a language, preferably all four years, so make sure you’ve checked that box as well.
If you’re not taking the highest level of STEM that your school offers the academies are going to ask why not. My understanding is they’d rather see a B- in AP Physics than an A in ceramics or regular track Physics. It’s a tough road and they want to be sure you’ve got experience stretching yourself academically.