With the end of the year just around the corner, I figured I should seek advice on what I should do for my sophomore year.
Here is my academic information:
9th Grade: 4.0 UW 4.25 W → AP Human Geography and AP Computer Science
What I was thinking for next year:
AP Bio, AP CS Prin, AP Psych My school does not offer any honors classes. Combined with honors classes at another school, this would be a bit much. However since the only advanced coursework available are AP classes at my school, virtually all input of academic work comes from those classes.
Here is my extracurricular information:
Researcher at CS Lab at Local University - 11 hrs a week - Head of my own project
FRC Robotics - 6hrs a week (Very time intensive in winter, not time intensive rest of year) - Programmer
Speech and Debate - 4 hrs a week
Programming Mentor at Middle School - 2 hrs a week - Lead Programming Mentor
What I was thinking of adding for next year:
Math Olympiad - 7hrs a week - hopefully become Captain - Probably
Non-Profit Org - 2 hrs a week - about teaching CS concepts - Maybe
AI Club - 2 hrs a week - founder - Not likely
Here are my awards/achievements so far:
Local and Regional Speech and Debate awards
International and National Robotics awards
CS Publication coming soon
What I was thinking of trying to do next year:
More CS Publications - underway
Google Science Fair - underway
Intel ISEF - underway, most likely will work with CS lab
Math Olympiad - AMC and AIME? - good at math - ??
Speech and Debate NSDA National Competition - Humorous Interpretation award
With the information that has been presented to you, please answer the following questions:
What other academic achievement or awards should I go for?
What about my extracurriculars, should I do more non-STEM activities? Or should I increase my focus in STEM?
Is being a programming mentor volunteering? If not, how should I volunteer?
Is there any other advice?
What is the normal science progression at your school?
WHy not take Chem for a science? Take AP Bio as a senior.
Does it make sense to take AP CS Principals after taking AP CS?
You seem to be throwing AP Psych in just because it is AP.
It is not “s/he who has the most APs wins”
Note that AP are college level classes…so taking 3 APs as a HS sophomore may not be a great way to go.
Why would you take AP CSP after you already took AP CS? Also, what other classes would you be taking next year? Either do Chem alone or try doing Chem and AP Bio together, if you think you can handle it.
@bopper
The normal science progression is physics, chemistry, and finally biology. I am taking physics and biology this year. I am taking Chemistry next year, as well as AP Biology. The reason I am taking AP CS Principles is because it was not offered this year at my school, in fact, I was the one who convinced the principal to bring it. As I am genuinely interested in computer science, on top of the fact that I did very well on AP CS, I believe that it should not be too big of a challenge. The reason I am taking AP Psychology is not because I am throwing it in because it is an AP, but because I am interested in it. However, if were to look to a college admission officer that was reviewing my application for the first time, based on what you said, there is a chance they might think the same way. Nevertheless, you do have a point. How can I avoid the appearance of me trying to throw in AP’s?
I understand that taking the most AP classes does not mean anything, however, it is my only source of homework. Considering that AP CS Prin and AP Psychology are relatively easy AP considered to something like AP Bio. In addition, I feel like should be on an upward trajectory in academic, extracurricular and personal rigor. However, in any situation, taking 3 AP’s will take a lot of time. **In my case, should I pursue this academic upward trajectory?""
@hudachi
I am taking AP CS Prin after AP CS because it was not offered this year, if it was, I would have likely taken AP CS Prin instead of AP Human Geography. Do you think there is any point of taking AP CS Prin if I have taken AP CS Prin?
I am planning on taking Chem and AP Bio together next year. If you have done that or other people you know have done that, how did play out for them?
Do you guys have any advice on extracurricular and achievements?
I think it’s difficult for people to give good advice without more information. What are ALL the classes you are planning to take? A balanced curriculum in high school is important, even if you’re very pointy in your interests/abilities. What are you doing for English, math, history, foreign language? Arts requirement? All are important. Sometimes AP Psych counts toward social studies credit, but it’s more important to take US History, World or European History, U.S Gov. When are you taking these?
ECs look great…and anyway, ECs are supposed to be what YOU love to do
“Do you think there is any point of taking AP CS Prin if I have taken AP CSA”
No.
AP CSP is considered the easier of the two classes. It will look like you are trying to pad your transcript with another AP. In DD’s high school there is an app development class then a senior-year CS independent study that come after AP CSA. Does your school offer anything like that instead? If not, is a CS dual enrollment class an option?
I agree with @inthegarden… your ECs look great, but it is hard to evaluate your courses without more info on your specific 3-year plan.
@Lion32 Don’t take AP CSP if you’ve already taken AP CS. It’ll look really weird in your transcript and is just going to be a waste of time, since it’s a course that precedes AP CS.
Yes I know many people who have taken AP Bio and Hon Chem together. It’s a lot of work, but if you manage your time well you should be able to do it. Some people completely flunked out and did really awful, but others did really well. It depends on how well you learn, your study habits, previous knowledge, etc.
Your achievements look pretty good atm. Just be in one or two clubs and be extremely involved in them and strive to become a leader in them.
What’s your background in biology and chemistry?
What other classes would you be taking?
How are you doing in precalculus honors right now and what’s your planned math sequence (you’ll need math classes for 11-12tg grade)?
I would be very careful about AP Biology with your other classes and ECs. Take a diagnostic test in Barron’s, or similar, to see where you stand and to get a sense of how much material is involved. AP Psychology classes have also been known to give a lot of homework. Ask around at your school to find out what other students say.
Your already doing 23 hours of ec a week - can you really handle adding 9 to 11 more hours into a weekly schedule? All I see is a person focused on academics. Being a programming mentor is volunteering but depending on the person reading it it can still stand out as academics. Some schools may be looking for some non academic ec so you don’t seem like someone who only cares about academics. Do you play sports, are you involved in music, have a part time job, etc?
Some ideas for non academic volunteer work - help out with a local election, volunteer at a food pantry, participate in a club such as key club (beyond just going to meetings), help out with a special needs program (watching kids during parent meetings, volunteering at Special Olympics etc), get involved with a multi cultural club, volunteer at a library, volunteer at a local nursing home etc.
