<p>My son only has one block open for either AP Physics or AP Chemistry. Anyone have any input on which would serve him best if he did manage to get into AFA? Docfrance? Thanks.</p>
<p>Well at both academies, the freshmne science class is chem. HOWEVER, unlike other classes I don't think you can validate any college credits. For example getting a 5 on the AP chem test, won't get you out of chem freshmen year. </p>
<p>but during BCT you take a series of test, covering your ability in pretty much every subject. and depending on how you do on those test, determins your schedule for the 1st 2 years at the academies</p>
<p>Personally, I took AP physics, b/c I would like to pursue engineering and it would give me a good background. However, word around the street is that AP chem is easier, B/C AP physics is 2 parts, Mechanics + E/M (electricity and magnitism) so it's like studying for 2 classes at once</p>
<p>I decided to take AP Chemistry to prepare for the Academy's freshman chem classes since I had a fairly strong physics background from my junior year and I had gotten a little rusty since sophomore chemistry :p... I wouldnt call AP Chemistry "easier" necessarily but it depends on what youre good at and what you enjoy. When it all comes down to it, Id tell your son to take the class that he thinks he will do the best in and will learn the most from. Another thing, tibby2, you can indeed validate chemistry (along with a host of other classes) at the air force academy with a three or higher on the AP Chem test. You can check out the exact scores that you need to validate other classes at this Air Force Academy web page: <a href="http://www.academyadmissions.com/academics/curriculum/%5B/url%5D">http://www.academyadmissions.com/academics/curriculum/</a>.</p>
<p>academyguy - He's in the same spot since chemistry was a sophomore class. Thanks to all for the advice!</p>
<p>Given the choice, I'd do Physics. USAFA is more likely to grant credit for a 4 or 5 on an AP Physics Test (calculus based C test, I think). I know one current cadet (very well) who validated ALL of the core physics (2 three-hour courses) for getting 5's on the mechanics and EM tests. Chem places more emphasis on the summer in-processing placement exam. You validate one or both semesters if you do well on this test. Long ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Terrazzo and the glaciers didn't melt until May, I tested out of a semester with just regular ol' HS chem.</p>
<p>If you validate a core course do you then take a higher level course in its place or an elective? </p>
<p>For senior year he is registering for:</p>
<p>German V
AP German
AP Calculus
AP Physics
Honors English
AP Economics
AP American Govt
Computer Programming - PASCAL (?)</p>
<p>Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>wow, didn't know that, thanks for clearing everything up</p>
<p>If you validate a course in the CORE CURRICULUM at USAFA, then higher level courses in the core just move up sooner in your schedule. If there's two chem courses or two physics courses required in the core (as currently) and you validate them, then you DO NOT have to take higher level physics or chem unless those courses would be part of your major.</p>
<p>The core takes up about 75% of a cadet's schedule over four years and includes courses EVERY semester. It's really EVERY course when they're freshmen and maybe only one or two per semester when they're seniors. Validating courses, just moves the core to the left and either makes more advanced options a possibility (e.g., double major or minor) or results in a lighter load later in cadet life. Both are good things.</p>
<p>One of the beauties of the USAFA scheduling system is that your four-year schedule is already loaded. When you declare your major, they "slot" the major's courses into the 4-year schedule and you're done. You don't have to register EVER AGAIN--unless you'd like to make a change. You will get the courses you sign up for and your schedule is set for you. Cadets do not pick their daily schedule or professor for specific classes--that's handed to them at the beginning of each semester. They lse some freedom there, but it's made up for by never really having to worry about getting into a class they want or need to graduate on time with their major.</p>
<p>Docfrance - that's a HUGE advantage for a cadet at AFA. It seems students are always complaining about availability and scheduling of classes at civilian colleges and that in return can cause them to take longer to graduate. </p>
<p>Is the major declared before or after 4th class year? I noticed for AF ROTC a major must be picked during the application process.</p>
<p>USAFA cadets declare whether they intend to go "tech" or "fuzzy" (non-tech) during BCT. the primary difference is that fuzzy majors must take 4-sems of foreign language, while techies have no foreign language req't. If they change their mind, they can resequence and catch up after freshman year. Majors don't have to be declared now until sometime in the Fall of Sophomore year. It really doesn't matter until then anyway.</p>
<p>Did your son register for Physics B or Physics C?</p>
<p>If it's B, I might suggest AP Chemistry instead, since USAFA won't even look at your score on the Physics B exam.</p>
<p>Yes it's Physics C. The economics class is actually AP Macroeconomics. It's a far cry from the senioritis schedule I had in those dazed and confused 70's...</p>
<p>Alright, I realize this is a bit off topic...but it's the best place I could see for it without starting a new thread. I have a bit of a decision to take on in the next week or two, and I'm trying to gather as much advice as possible. Track season starts in one week, and i am considering joining. I've been a runner all my life, but haven't really participated in any school running sport besides cross country this fall. On the other hand though, I've started working out every day after school for about 2 hours in preparation for summer seminar and my PAE. I can't really do both right now, because I have science bowl team or robotics team later in the night. My question is about what one would be better on my academy application. Aceing + the PAE, or gaining another sport on my resume (I likely won't letter though...theres too many people faster than me at distance). Any thoughts/comments??</p>
<p>I think it all depends on how intent you are on going to a service academy. If you're strongly considering civilian colleges, it might be better to have another sport just because they emphasize that whole "well rounded" thing so much. Also, since the PAE doesn't count at SS and is just for your practice, you really don't need to get good at it until you take it for real, which would probably be sometime between late August and early November of your senior year. As you can see, there's a heck of a lot of time to prep for it, so if you wanted to just run track now, you probably could. Actually, I found that just staying in really good shape helped me most on the PAE, not necessarily prepping for the specific exercizes.</p>
<p>However, also definately keep up with science bowl and robotics team. Both those ECs are great for USAFA and other colleges too.</p>
<p>Either way, I think you should do what you want to do. Don't do track simply because it "looks good." Do it because it's fun and you want to get in shape. It sounds like you're on top of things though, so honestly I don't think either choice will hurt you.</p>
<p>But no matter what, ace the PAE anyway. :D</p>
<p>So my main question to everyone is...how much do you think adding one more sport where I wouldn't be varsity would affect my chances of admission to the academy?</p>
<p>hmmm I'd say what would probably help you out is, maybe just doing one varsity sport but try to hold a leadership position - as in try to be captain.. easier said then done, but that's alot better then adding another V.sport (personal opinion)</p>