LaMere Academy Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 that's his goal anyway. I was going to start him in biology for 9th grade, but now I'm wondering if Physical Science, then on to Physics wouldn't be a better idea? I want him to have more math and science credits than what is required. He's going to be starting 9th grade with Alg. II, so help me line up what sciences he should do. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 If he doesn't know what he wants to major in, taking Bio, Chemistry, and Physics, 1 year of each plus a second of whatever his favorite was is probably the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 In the dark ages, when my sister went to USAFA, she had had 9th - Biology 10th - Earth Science 11th - Chemistry 12th - Physics (algebra based) and AP Chemistry When she got there, she had to take chemistry again and it was the same book! AP Physics wasn't available in our school but would probably have helped in all those engineering courses. FWIW, I strongly recommend calculus and statistics before he gets there. USMA used Freshman math to weed out the boys from the men! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 Thank you both, everyone from the AF that he meets and those in his CAP squadron are telling him "math and science" luckily he's good at both. I just want to make sure he gets the right sciences for his future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share Posted April 12, 2008 My dd had bio, chem, chem at the college, Master Gardener, anatomy, physics at the college and physics of flight. We counted MG as a science activity. I wouldn't bother with physical science--he'll get the real thing in physics. Thanks for that advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 hey, Becky! Have you talked to the AFA? They probably have a homeschool liason admissions person--the Navy does, and we asked him all about what to do for high school. It was great advice, from what outside activities to do, to what courses to take, to what to do about recommendations and letters. More and more homeschooled kids are getting accepted into the academies--so they seem to be pretty on top of how to advise. They probably have a toll-free number, or you can probably leave them a message or email and they will get back to you. Good Luck! Takes someone special to help our country like that. Congrats on raisin' him right! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share Posted April 12, 2008 hey, Becky! Have you talked to the AFA? They probably have a homeschool liason admissions person--the Navy does, and we asked him all about what to do for high school. It was great advice, from what outside activities to do, to what courses to take, to what to do about recommendations and letters. More and more homeschooled kids are getting accepted into the academies--so they seem to be pretty on top of how to advise. They probably have a toll-free number, or you can probably leave them a message or email and they will get back to you. Good Luck! Takes someone special to help our country like that. Congrats on raisin' him right! lol he's almost 14, is it too early to contact them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 They won't open a file for him yet but they can give you the name of the local liaison officer (who can answer all questions.) My sister is the liaison officer in NE Ohio. I know she would be happy to answer questions from a 9th grader. USMA has a brochure for younger students that outlines what they should do to prepare - USAFA probably does too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 I'm assuming you've seen this page, but perhaps not: http://academyadmissions.com/admissions/howtoapply/homeschool.php Remember that the suggested year of college can be done whilst still in high school--that's how we did it. Yes I've printed all that out and more, and put it all into a binder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Do you have a copy of this? http://www.amazon.com/Air-Force-Academy-Candidate-Book/dp/0979794307/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208186636&sr=8-1 This is helpful too: http://www.amazon.com/Rotc-Scholarships-Depth-Behind-Scenes/dp/1882897471/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208186712&sr=8-1 The first one is arriving today from Amazon!! The second one, no I hadn't seen or thought of it, so thank you!! I also purchased To Be a U.S. Air Force Pilot http://www.amazon.com/Be-U-S-Air-Force-Pilot/dp/0760317917/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208188706&sr=1-1 and he's already working on his physical fitness test and had already exceeded the push-ups requirement. He's working so hard, I can hardly believe it's my son! I'm confused though as to why he would need a ROTC scholarship is the USAFA is free? Can you tell me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 and he's already working on his physical fitness test and had already exceeded the push-ups requirement. He's working so hard, I can hardly believe it's my son! I'm confused though as to why he would need a ROTC scholarship is the USAFA is free? Can you tell me? Since USAFA is so competitive many people apply for ROTC as a back-up. Dh earned his pilot slot through AFROTC. Also, I'm sure you already realize this, but USAFA is at quite an altitude so your ds needs to be in better than great shape to make up for that. How exciting that he's working so hard to realize his goal. You must be so proud! Cinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Since USAFA is so competitive many people apply for ROTC as a back-up. Dh earned his pilot slot through AFROTC. Also, I'm sure you already realize this, but USAFA is at quite an altitude so your ds needs to be in better than great shape to make up for that. How exciting that he's working so hard to realize his goal. You must be so proud! Cinder Cinder, I don't think I ever would have thought of the altitude. I'll be sure to tell him that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 On the ROTC thing--as the academies are looking for someone who wants to be an OFFICER over everything else, pilot, Marine, etc. They will be asking about where you applied to ROTC. And if you didn't, why not? And btw--an academy education is NOT "free"--they are writing a check for many years of their lives, up to and possibly INCLUDING their life! Excellent points! The commissioning oath says, "I (state your name), having been appointed an officer in the United States Air Force, do solemnly swear . . . " (emphasis mine) My first job as a young AF officer was at a pilot training base where I coordinated paperwork for those who didn't make it through pilot training. The end of pilot training was not the end of their AF career. It was expected that they would continue to serve as an officer but in another capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momee Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Dredging this up from the past if I may. DS just expressed serious interest in USAFA (he mentioned this before but now he is serious...and proactive). Yahoo. I've been reading through quite a few posts, spoken to our local CAP person - he starts Tuesday - and still have a question. I was told by the CAP contact if we were pursuing CAP we would not need to be involved with JROTC. Is this true? Looks like from earlier posts ROTC is not something we should discount. Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 JROTC and ROTC are two different animals. For minors, CAP and JROTC can be pretty similar. A lot depends on the local leadership. Ds joined CAP here in Feb, has had two "introductory" flights and been to Encampment. The unit does a lot of Search and Rescue, so he will be going an a training exercise for that this month too. Other units don't get to do S & R, so they do more "urban friendly" activities, like Drill Team. JROTC also differs greatly from unit to unit. At my high school (30 years ago), JROTC was what kids took who failed everything else. I don't believe JROTC gets flight training. I know better units exist but that was my experience. Both introduce kids to the military, uniforms, discipline, etc. Neither is a guaratee to get into an academy but it can't hurt. The Mitchell Award (CAP) gets similar Brownie points with Admissions offices as an Eagle Scout. ROTC is for college students, not high school. Most ROTC students get some sort of scholarship, some a full 4 year ride. All scholarship recipients have a military service commitment. They generally only have a course or two that is military during the school year, but do have traniing during the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaMere Academy Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Dredging this up from the past if I may. DS just expressed serious interest in USAFA (he mentioned this before but now he is serious...and proactive). Yahoo. I've been reading through quite a few posts, spoken to our local CAP person - he starts Tuesday - and still have a question. I was told by the CAP contact if we were pursuing CAP we would not need to be involved with JROTC. Is this true? Looks like from earlier posts ROTC is not something we should discount. Any help would be appreciated. I think of CAP as another form of JROTC, so in my mind it takes the place of it. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. It's just an Air Force form of it if you will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momee Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Becky, that's what I am thinking. Our sons are roughly the same age. Mine was/is doing some of SL 200 also - I recognize you from the SL Core 200 forum. I go by halfsmom over there. Nice to "see ya". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.