<p>First of all, I need to turn in my choices for my classes senior year fairly soon. So far, I have AP Bio, AP U.S. History, Calc III, Senior English, Bible, and Yearbook, all required. I have two slots left with three classes to choose from:
Strength Training/Advanced P.E.
Spanish IV
Adv. Computers (building, troubleshooting, programming, webbuilding)
I would enjoy and perform well in all three and am wondering which are the more important to the USNA? </p>
<p>The other thing I have a question about is the letters of recommendation required for congressional/senatorial nom's. Are there any sources of these letters which are preferred? My advanced chemistry/physics teacher, calc teacher, english teacher, principal/social studies teacher (who served in Vietnam), and basketball coach (also a school board member) said they could write me one, and I figure out which three I should use. Should I go by teachers who've known me the longest or whose class I get the highest grades in?</p>
<p>I would go for a teacher and a non-teacher. Someone who really knows youl The Academy and the Senators/MOC will see your transcript and know your grades. They do not need a letter telling them you got an A in underwater basket weaving! Regardless of who you choose, provide that person with a resume or some listing of your activities. Also, provide the letter writer with a summation of what the MOC or Academy is looking for (proven leadership ability, self-starter, individual who welcomes challenges, etc) so their letter will target the key points. THe more info you give letter writer, the easier for them to create a letter unique to you which really targets your strengths and goals and explains how you would fit in to Academy life.</p>
<p>Our MOC had specific teachers that they wanted the letters from. Make sure first that you follow their direction. (Math, English, Guidance Counselor and one non academic - either coach or member of the community.) </p>
<p>Go for Spanish as you will be able to validate, if you are a DivIII major that will help free up your schedule, and if you are DivI or II you may be able to pull a spanish minor with very little extra course work.</p>
<p>Alright, Thanks! I'm leaning towards Spanish and probably will take it, but what of my other class slot? The physical fitness aspects of strength training may help me at the Academy, but is a working knowledge of computers more beneficial?</p>
<p>Sounds like you have an academically-challenging full plate already. That's great! Admissions likes that as long as you don't overexted yourself and find yourself unable to maintain good grades. I wouldn't think Advanced Computing would make much difference as long as you have some basic computer skills...On the other hand, the physical strength training could help you significantly over Plebe Summer & beyond if you keep at it. You want to report "lean & mean" with a high level of all three aspects of fitness (flexibility / strength / cardiovascular endurance).</p>
<p>Keep in mind that none of us here is on the admissions committee! </p>
<p>IMO, none of those last three classes will make any difference for gaining admission, unless you bomb them. Take whichever classes interest you the most, and work hard. </p>
<p>My only other comment is about AP bio. From your comment about teacher recommendations, I am assuming that you have already taken advanced chemistry? Having a history of success in chemistry and (if possible) physics would be more important than the AP bio class (and I'm a biologist!). Bio is not required at USNA, but everyone must take or validate 2 semesters of chem and physics.</p>
<p>Take classes you enjoy and can excel in. Is it nice to take AP classes? Sure however I only took two AP classes in high school. They were both history classes because I enjoy history. I got into the academy, and graduated with no problem. Just make sure you don't overload yourself and do poorly in the courses.</p>
<p>Every Mid is definitely required to complete two semesters of chemistry. That is shown by the Plebe year curriculum listed on the USNA web site:</p>
<p>Of course, if a Mid validates two semesters of chemistry, they may not actually take additional courses in chemistry while at USNA, because they would have completed, by validation, the basic chemistry requirement. Any other course requirements would depend on their major.</p>
<p>Take whichever courses you would enjoy taking! At this point and with that schedule, it's not going to matter which of those courses you take.</p>
<p>You could possibly validate Spanish if you take a 4th year - but I know many students who have had 4 years of Spanish and didn't come close to validating. It depends upon the strength of your language program (make sure you can orally converse it -- not just take a written test).</p>
<p>For letters of recommendations -- I'd go with someone who can really attest to your strengths that can't be seen on paper. It's kind of assumed if you make a good grade in a class and also score well on standardized exams that you are strong academically. It's not who it comes from - it's what s/he says. If the person can give a really good picture of you that cannot be seen elsewhere, to make you different, go for that. Look for the teacher that can talk about you being the one they ask to help other students. Look for the coach who can say you may not have been captain, but you were the motivator on the team.... things like that.</p>
<p>Find out who your MOC wants for those letters. Many do have specific teachers that they want. Like an above poster our MOC's wanted the same as the Academy wants - English Math and guidance counselor.</p>
<p>Languages are one of the most validated subjects, especially as you can use AP scores for validation A 3 will get you both first year semester validations and a 4 will get you second year validations. If you do not take the AP course then you can sit for the validation test. Mine had only 3 years of Spanish, no AP and validated 4 semesters.</p>
<p>I validated 4 semesters of Spanish with 3 years of hs spanish (none sr. year) The validation test was not that hard. Now Physics and Chem those were hard.</p>