I’m a sophmore in highschool right now, picking my schedule for junior year. I’m not sure whether I should go with AP Computer Science A or AP Computer Science Principles.
I’ve had experience with coding, because I’m taking a Computer Science with Programming Emphasis class right now using JavaScript, and I taught myself HTML and CSS. So learning Java wouldn’t be that big of a deal.
I want to major in Computer Science when I get to college. Which one would look more impressive to colleges?
AP Computer Science A probably looks more impressive to colleges. But you should take both if possible, ideally one in junior year and one in senior year. If you have to, it might not be a bad idea to take both in the same year. CS Principles is less technical and more about the way the internet works and the implications of technology in society. APCSA is programming.
I only have one free spot in my schedule, so I can’t fit both into the same year. I was thinking I could do APCSA during junior year, and then do Computer Science Principles during senior year, so I’d have an easy class during college applications. Would that be a good idea?
Good idea
Principles is an overview of the field of CS, suitable for both prospective CS majors, non-CS majors, and those who may consider CS as a major. http://cs10.org is the kind of college course that AP CS principles should be like.
A is Java and data structures which may give advanced placement in CS if the college’s frosh/soph level CS courses have a similar course (but many colleges’ CS departments structure their frosh/soph level CS courses differently).