Questions?/Concerns?

<p>anyone know about IB Chemistry or IB History?</p>

<p>IB/AP scores are CONSIDERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH DEPARTMENT PLACEMENT TESTS. My son scored a 4 on his AP Chem test last spring. During BCT ALL basic cadets took the Chem placement test. Of the 1320 basic cadets, only 32 basic cadets were allowed to validate out of Chem 141 which is a two semester course. The top scoring cadets had the choice of taking Chem 141 OR take Chem 142 which is a one semester course during their first year. </p>

<p>Validating out of classes can be a double edged sword. Your first year is going to be the toughest. Some may decide NOT to validate classes since you are learning to balance all the demands on your time. There are fewer graded assignments in the record book. One bad test score can impact your final grade. There are many cadets that got all A's in HS find themselves on Academic Probation after mid terms of the first semester.</p>

<p>Chem 141/142 is the standard 2 semester load, while chem 222 is the advanced class.</p>

<p>Unless you're a genius, validating most classes here will likely end up hurting your GPA and give you a more stressful first semester. Your freshman year here is stressful enough and its nice to have some classes that you can relax a little more in. </p>

<p>Yeah a lot of freshman do find themselves on AC Pro, but if you know Academics here are gonna be harder than High School and come in with that mindset that you need to work really hard in your classes, you shouldn't have to worry about Ac Pro.</p>

<p>Chem 222 is also a requirement for some majors, so if your intended major is gonna require it and you can get into the class, you might as well get it out of the way.</p>

<p>I have to admit that Chem 222 could keep me off the Dean's list, if I don't step it up a bit.</p>

<p>Sorry Raimius, my bad. I failed to pull my son's Appointee instruction booklet for the course numbers. This mom was up way past her bed time! :)</p>

<p>Sorry, guys, but on a different note about finances, how much is the deposit you make before BCT? I heard it's about $2,000. Also, did any of you cadets apply for other cash scholarships?</p>

<p>Not a problem. I could care less how the courses are numbered. I just don't want someone getting confused.</p>

<p>I don't even remember making a deposit. It could be that my parents did that. I didn't apply for cash scholarships. I got a couple merit-based from other colleges, but (obviously) didn't go.</p>

<p>You don't need to make a deposit becasue the AF gives you an interest free laon to cover everything. So, instead of getting about $300 per month takehome, you'lll get about $100 per month for the first two years as the loan is paid off. It's a good deal and don't even think about paying it off early. If you want to know why, you can PM me and I'll go into the gory details!</p>

<p>On the topic of validation, be careful how you look at it. I am in chem 222, japanese 221, math 253, comp sci 110h, and engineering 100. All but engineering are advanced classes, chem, math, and japn are the highest possible for freshmen. I say this to give you an idea of my workload vs my peers here. </p>

<p>I have virtually no homework. I have labs due for 222 (since it is a lab based course) every 1.5-2 weeks. No other homework so to speak. While 141/142 chem has pre-flights and other daily graded work. I see my room mates taking an average of 45 minutes for pre-flights. Chem 222 is 4000 points. 1000 for the final exam, 1500 for 3 GR's (at 500 each), 1100 for labs, and 200 for a fundamentals worksheet, 100 for a lab practical, and 100 for one pre-lab excersize. Keep in mind an A in chemistry is 80% and above. </p>

<p>For math, I have 5 webassign problems (internet answered problems) that usually take about 15 minutes to complete and 5 work outs from the book that usually take about 30-45 minutes to complete. Those are due once every 2-3 weeks usually. Math 1 and 2 have large 100 point (average) webassigns due about every other day which take well over an hour to complete. My math class is mostly based on FSE (fundamentals quiz over math 1 and 2) which are good point givers. Basically, if you score 80 or above, you get full points and that declines each time its retaken (not many have to retake it). Also on Quizzes, 2 GR's, several writing assignments, and a final group project. </p>

<p>The idea here is that if you can give yourself a solid background in the freshman classes before coming, you spend LESS time in the upper level classes. I am less stressed, more rested, and more confident in classes here than in high school. Hard work then pays off 100 fold now. That's my advice.</p>

<p>The normal classes (except engineering) have a fairly heavy workload. Some of the advanced classes have significantly less. Unfortunately, if you do poorly on a couple things, it can hurt your grade a lot.</p>

<p>Is there a Physics placement test?</p>

<p>There is a physics placement test. I think something like only 7 freshmen validated....ya, its a ridiculous test in my opinion. But go for it! Nothing to lose!</p>

<p>I have an addendum to hornetguy's post regarding his academics:
If you are a four degree, don't be surprised if your academics are nothing like that or you struggle more than that. If you're a future cadet, don't expect your academics to go just like that. Lastly, if you're a parent and your son or daughter's academics bear little resemblance to what he said, fear not. He's very smart (and no doubt works hard too, but in summary: he's wickedly smart).</p>

<p>Echo Uncynical's remarks. Hornetguy is probably the exception not the rule (IMO, based on what I've seen, but i think it's great that it's going so well for him). Still, even though my son and his roomate are working much longer hours, they are doing well -- thanks to good planning, organization and very helpful classmates and teachers!</p>

<p>Some four degrees are required to sign up for a non-credit Study Skills course. That means they will have to take one course in summer school. The academy has a fairly broad range of abilities and academic backgrounds. Much of that is because they select students on achievements that go beyond just academics.</p>

<p>I'm looking into the Air Force Academy. The problem is, I'm not in tip-top shape like so many of the other candidates. What exercises or workout plan would you suggest to help me get in the shape i need to be in.</p>

<p>Push-ups, sit-ups, and running are the basics you should work on. Work on doing pull-ups too.</p>

<p>Make sure you can do at least one pull-up, that is key for girls. Be able to run far at a slow speed. You do a lot of flutter-kicks and push-ups here, so do as best you can there. It doesn't matter how great of shape you are in, they will break you in basic. It only matters that you can do enough proper push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and well enough on the runs and jump to pass the PFT/AFT.</p>