For my senior year schedule, I’ve already decided on taking AP Calculus BC, AP Psychology, AP Physics 1, AP Literature, and Honors Latin. This fills 5/8 periods of my day. Two periods are reserved for gym/lunch, so this leaves 1 more slot to fill.
To fill this slot, I was considering either AP Environmental Science, or two semesters of Computer Programming (1&2).
Pros / Cons of APES:
an AP class, thus raising my GPA and number of AP classes taken (+it’ll beef up my transcript!)
I am somewhat curious about the subject which could help make it easier to learn
however, I heard its a lot of busywork and reading on your own which, considering my already AP-heavy schedule, could become a bit of a hassle (at least in my school… I’m aware that it is one of the easier AP classes)
Pros / Cons of Computer Programming
valuable, basic skill that seems useful for real life
I’m also somewhat curious about the subject
a blow off class, meaning when I finish its work I can use it as a study hall for my other AP classes
however, non-AP and will lower my GPA, which might look worse on a transcript
So, my mom is saying that a year of computer programming (a useful life skill) looks much better on a transcript than AP Environmental Science anyways (because APES is quite a niche subject), and that I should take the year of programming. Is she correct?
Considering my course load in addition to the fact that I want my transcript to look as challenging as possible, which path do you think I should go choose?
Have you taken Bio, CHem, and Physics in some form?
I would say take Computer science as that could be useful. Don’t take APES just because it is an AP.
What is your potential major in college?
Not sure I agree that Computer Programming is useful as a life skill. I’m not on board with the drive to get as many AP courses as possible, although since colleges count some of them for credit (depending on your major), that is one reason to go that way.
You said in a previous post that you get stressed with too much work, so I guess that would be my deciding factor - go with whichever is going to make your year easier. You will have a lot to manage with college applications, ECs and all that.
I wouldn’t say that CS is a blow off class (at your school it might be, but not normally.) It will definitely require some work and might be as challenging as AP Psych or even AP Calc. I would not count on using it as a study hall.
Also keep in mind that senioritis will creep in sooner or later…
Some knowledge of CS is generally useful, no matter what you do later. However, it is far from clear whether a low level programming course is that useful in this context (CS and its relation to other subjects is not just about programming).
My d19 is having a similar debate with herself. Well, her computer science class would be a full year instead of two half year courses and they can take on the relevant AP exam if they choose in the spring. She isnt concerned from a GPA persprctive, but otherwise is similarly torn. The outside of class work /reading for computers is much less, and becoming more comfortable with computers in general does seem like a useful skill. But she is a science/math oriented person and she really enjoys her school’s APES teacher. I think she is hoping that scheduling itself will make one work and the other not work, so that the decision is out of her hands.
I think taking a CS class is useful, just to see if you like it and your mind works that way. Obviously what you learn in a first year CS class is probably not going to get you jobs. With 4 APs in the schedule already, I don’t think you need another one, unless you are particularly interested in the subject or the teacher is particularly wonderful.
Have you taken all the history you are required to take?
You don’t need another science or another AP.
Take something you enjoy. Don’t worry so much about GPA, that kind of overfocus is toxic. (I do realize that sometimes money is at stake but I have also seen the effect of that on the way people behave and the stress level they suffer.)
Computer programming is not always easy. Are you interested in it?
Just follow your interests. You get to do that now if your required courses are all set.
First of all, you already have plenty of APs. Thus, IMHO there is no need to take another.
“Some knowledge of CS is generally useful,”
I agree with this. CS is generally important in the world. This doesn’t mean that you need to take enough of it to usefully ever want to program a computer as part of a paying job. However, I think that for many fields it is at least a good idea to have some vague idea regarding what those other people who program computers actually do. Also, of course if you discover that you like it then you might want to do more of it.
Finally, I think that either would be fine, and OP you should think about what you actually want to study.
My S took an honors level engineering class instead of another AP class this year. (He’s a senior). He’s already taking BC calc, AP Physics, and AP Lang. In our HS BC calc and AP Physics are 7 periods a week each, not 5, so those 2 courses take up 3 class periods. It will affect his GPA I’m sure. His GC explained the decision in her recommendation letter but I’m still nervous about the decision. She felt it was better to take an honors level class in something he was interested than another AP class in something he didn’t care about as much.
Thank you for all of the helpful responses thus far!
To answer some questions and clarify some things ~
AP Comp Sci is offered, but it is known in my school as MUCH harder than the Computer Programming classes (which is to be expected). Plus, I have very little computer science experience, so I’m not sure how I would fare in such a rigorous computer science class.
Currently, I’m taking AP Biology … I’ve taken Honors Chem + Bio in the past. My high school requires some sort of Physics class which is why I do need to fit it into my schedule senior year!
My potential major in college … still rather undecided, but floating interests of mine include psychology, business management, and nutritional/food science. I’m quite curious about computer science. As you can probably tell, my interests are very widespread. Oops!
I acknowledge the general rigor of computer programming, however the introductory classes at my school have been known to be easy-peasy - that’s why I referred to it as a blow-off class in my original inquiry. Apologies for any alarm!
At this point, I feel as though I could really take on either option of APES or CS. What I feel it now comes down to is my decision’s potential to either hurt or augment my transcript. I understand that the prevailing sentiment is to take “whatever class I’m most interested in” and “not to focus on taking as many AP courses as possible,” but I’m truly seeking a more objective answer. As much as I desire to feed my interests and lighten my course load, I personally would not sacrifice any opportunity to make myself a more appealing candidate for competitive universities. Thus, in the least small-minded manner possible, may I ask as a final question?
Will AP Environmental Science look better to colleges, or will Computer Programming 1 & 2 (considering the rest of my schedule)?
From what you stated in your last post it seems computer programming would fit into what you our interested in than APES. As for your GPA after all the classes you have taken it would have very little effect. APES could actually have a negative effect since it may colleges curious to why you would take that. Taking the most AP’s doesn’t make your transcript more impressive in my opinion.
CS A is programming and data structures for CS majors. CS principles is an overview for both CS and non CS majors (and those undecided about majoring in CS), and should include more material about how CS relates to everything else.
http://cs10.org is the kind of college course that CS principles is based on.
The only concern I would raise would be whether or not you are close enough in class rank where this might make a financial difference.
In some states, a great class rank may mean automatic acceptance with a substantial scholarship to Flagship State.
So, the smart kids all play the game and take as many higher-weighted courses, to increase their class rank.
Some schools do not release a class rank, while others do.
So the best answer might depend not just on you, but your school and your classmates. I know my DD mentioned that she would have liked to have taken an auto repair class as an elective - but because it was weighted as level 1 it would have meant she would have fallen out of her valedictorian spot.
APES doesn’t really matter to very selective colleges because they know it’s an easier AP, so if you’re more interested in programming take that. It sounds like what you’re interested in is really CS Principles rather than programming though.
Two issues with your schedule as is:
Have you taken APUSH/honors US history? Another history class? AP Human Geography? AP psychology is a complementary class and it shouldn’t replace a history class.
Have you reached level 3 or 4 in a foreign language already?
