So many choices

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
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<p>…but which ones are the best ones?</p>

<p>I’m a sophomore, almost done with the first semester, and was recently contemplating which classes I would take next year. And there in lies the problem.</p>

<p>As a Junior, I have 6 classes during the day. I MUST take Civics, English, and Physics II/Chemistry II. However, I also want to continue with Spanish III and Pre- Calculus.</p>

<p>Our school also offers a “Career Center” program. They don’t offer an ROTC program (they would if they got enough people interested), but they do have a State Police training program. The Career Center takes 3 class hours.</p>

<p>So, if I take the classes above as a Junior, I won’t have time to go to the career center.</p>

<p>BUT,
as a Senior I must only take English. But I want to get exposure to Calculus and I want to take Advanced Biology (only college prep class the school offers. They don’t offer Calculus, I have to go to the college).</p>

<p>I can also take Psychology, if it’s available (again, depending on how many people are interested).</p>

<p>If Psychology isn’t available, then I can go to the Career Center for the State Police training (para-military training, lots of running, etc.) That would make 6 class hours. Also depends on how long the Calculus class is. If it’s more than one class hour then I either have to drop it, drop another class, or drop the Career Center.
But again, if Psychology IS available then that will make 4 or 5 out of 6 class hours.</p>

<p>Bottom line: I don’t know what to do. And will State Police training at the Career Center help improve my odds at the USAFA? Which classes don’t they even look at, and should I even waste my time?</p>

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<p>I've never heard of a "Career Center" but from what you are saying, it sounds like a program meant to prepare you for a job right out of high school (I don't think that's what you want to do). I'm pretty sure it won't help you in your app. as much as a Calc/Pre-Calc class will. Leadership, grades (course rigor) and sports are what will really help you get into USAFA.</p>

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<p>I had a career center option like that as well in High School. My senior year I did an engineering internship through it (with legal, cosmetology, auto repair, etc. being in the programs also). Take what you WANT to take and enjoy. Do well and you will be fine. It sounds like you want to do the program and it could be something different USAFA might like, so go for it if you want to.</p>

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<p>I'm mostly interested in it for the fact that it's like the military. I've talked to some people who were in it and they said that the instructor will push you pretty good. Sure, the topic isn't something that I really care about (Criminal Justice) but I thought it would be a good way to get some experience with the para military. Something that could show leadership and teamwork perhaps.</p>

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<p>I really recommend at least some Calculus experience. Math is big at the academy (especially if you are looking to be a techie major). If you didn't do acceptibly (sp?) in Calc 1 here on your first go, many of the engineering majors would be difficult to complete. I don't know if you are looking for that or not. I know several people who struggled with math that had not taken Calc 1 before inprocessing. </p>

<p>I would recommend taking college-prep courses, when possible, and leaving "training" to extracurriculars (if it has to be a trade-off).</p>

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<p>Math and Chemistry are the big killers early on, without the solid foundation there you will be in trouble.</p>

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<p>Math comes into play in a lot of the physics and engineering courses, as well.</p>

<p>I think the top priorities should go something like this: math, chemistry, physics, and writing (no order). Math, Chem, and Physics are the early GPA killers here. Writing comes into play in just about every class, so the better you are at it, the easier each class becomes.</p>

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<p>Okay looking at what you are taking...here are my suggestions(then toss them I am not an admissions director)</p>

<p>You need to take the hardest classes they offer...</p>

<p>Pre-Calc, Calc or Discrete Math
AP History/English
AP Science or at least Honors Physics
Max out foreign language</p>

<p>The most important thing is to take classes to prepare you for the SAT/ACT and the highest classes they offer.</p>

<p>I will leave it to people like hornetguy and raimius to insert their opinion, they have the experience, but as a Mom, I will say the acad looks at the total package. You are young and now is the time to see if this is a fit for you. What else do you have...how is your gpa...class ranking...sports...extra curriculars...side note start getting fit for the CFA so you can hit out of the ball park :)</p>

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<p>Also does your school offer "jump start"? If so take it for math and science...the USAFA is also commonly referred as the "little engineering school in the rockies"</p>

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<p>or the "school for wayward youth in the rockies" :)</p>

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<p>Ok, I do agree with that. The academy is, after all, based mostly on academics.</p>

<p>My stats are:
GPA: 4.0 unweighted
Class Ranking: 1/143
XC: President of Student Council and Vice President of Science Club this year.
Sports: Might do cross country or track this spring.</p>

<p>Been working on the CFA for about a year so far.</p>

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<p>Not too shabby. :)</p>

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<p>Your GPA is great (dang it, you beat mine! :))
Leadership is pretty good. Do XC or track. Sports are the only major thing I see missing.</p>

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<p>Thanks. I forgot to add volunteering in there.</p>

<p>I've been asked many times by classmates to join football (my strength is sprinting), but they have a 3 hour practice every day after school.</p>

<p>I understand that it's important, but I can't justify a 3 hour practice. Especially 5 days a week. It'd be different if it was 3 or 4 times a week, but the body needs time to rest. I can get a good workout done in about an hour. That and it lasts all summer, and I have a lot of things going on in the summer. I usually go on a salmon and trout tournament every year up north and I would like to get a job this summer as well as study for the ACT/SAT.</p>

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<p>If you look at the stats, very few people enter without a high school sports and/or varsity letter. I, myself, am one of the exceptions, but they then looked much more critically at my academics and ECs. I was told I never received an LOA because of the lack of athletics! It's that important!</p>

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<p>Hornet is being modest...in my book (I am sure that the AFA agrees) that you did have a sport, but just in an untraditional sport. </p>

<p>Overachiever, my concern is that you don't want to workout 3 hrs a day/5 days a week. If you have looked through the acad site, PT is mandatory everyday and I think, can't swear, but it is at least 2 hrs a day 5 days a week, so if you go to the academy you will have to re-think your philosophy about time management.</p>

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<p>mmm we have unit pt at most 1x a week. Some squadron have a lot of freshman training which might add up to 3x a week for 1-2 hours as a 4 dig. I don't work out that often here to be honest.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I guess I read on the AFA site a typical schedule, actually just found it from USAFA site, and I took their word as coming down from the mt...no pun intended</p>

<p>Here is what the site said:</p>

<p>Breakfast and lunch are mandatory formations and after classes you’ll participate in mandatory athletic activities. </p>

<p>I do remember somewhere in the site where they break it down by hr. i.e.<br>
7 am breakfast
9-11 class
11-12 formation and lunch
12-3 classes
3:30-5:30 PT
6-7 dinner</p>

<p>No quotes b/c that is from memory, but thank you for clarification maybe the school for wayward youth print that to scare everyone LOL</p>

<p>Can you help us ignorant people out with what the real schedule is like</p>

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<p>its pretty close, mandatory bfast and lunch still.</p>

<p>My average day:
0640 or 0700 wake-up
0725-0740 bfast
0750-1143 classes (swimming every other day for half a semester)
1200-1323 formations/lunch/PME/etc.
1330-1523 classes
1630-1730ish intermurals (start in a couple weeks every other day)
1630-1800 will sometimes be training days for 4 digs or unit PT if no intermurals
1700-1900 is dinner times
1910(1940)-2245 (TAPS) is MCQ and/or ACQ (academic or military call to quarters.
2300-2400 bedtime somewhere in there.</p>

<p>rinse and repeat.</p>

<p>While we do have a good amount of physical activities, not 3 hours every day after school. Many do for themselves though. I get my exercise now from swimming class, 4 dig training, unit PT, and Swing Club. I'll need to pick it up so that I keep my PFT/AFT scores up. Such a hassle!</p>

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<p>Alright I'll have to do something then.</p>

<p>Time management, for me, has never really been that big of a deal. I've almost never wasted time in class. Usually always have something going on, but thanks for the advice.</p>

<p>Schedule looks pretty hectic Hornet.</p>