Hi, my name is Justin and I’m going into the Computer Science field. I am going to study 4 years in Germany. I am here today to ask for scincere advice. I currently take Spanish in school and I wanted to take AP computer science and AP Spanish Lit however Calculus is getting in the way and now since Calculus is out of the question will not drop I need advice on what to do. I always loved Spanish and I probably already am more advanced than what AP Spanish could teach me but idk does it still look good to take it? I also really would like a computer science class on my transcript for my major but I’m not sure it’s exactly the right thing to do at the moment… I am stuck and I don’t know what to do. Advice can be helpful…
Don’t take a class just for your transcript. It’s your last year of high school, so you should enjoy yourself as much as possible while still making sure you are getting everything you need for college completed.
That being said, if you would rather take a Spanish class than a class in your prospective major, maybe you should reconsider what you want to go to college for. You can’t commit to a major you haven’t taken classes in, and if you don’t really want to take one, then it’s probably smart to think about changing majors and considering different careers.
I would take AP computer science but I’m a bit partial towards the class since I took it. Also, I HATE spanish.
Honestly though, its related to your intended major and you could get credits that are actually useful in college. Spnish credit could be used for an elective credit but that really depends on the college.
AP CS helps students to determine whether they like CS or not. However, it’s not a decisive factor. It’s also not required for admission to CS major. Many people don’t learn CS in high school but they do well in CS major in college. You can explore CS by taking some programming or CS class online if you are not officially enrolled in AP CS. You can also wait until you start college to explore CS (if you go a college that does not require to declare a major on the application).
Some selective colleges recommend 4 years of foreign language.
How was your experience in the class?
I also have 4 credits of language already since my school starts language in 8th grade.
I took APCS and I absolutely loved it, even though I’m not going any further with learning programming (too much theory… not my thing). If you are considering a CS field, I highly suggest you take this class! It will give you a feel for it, as well as a pretty solid introduction for the field. You’ve taken enough years of language IMO.
Thanks I’ll take CS then! I’m learning German anyway
First, why are you going to Germany? (I’d strongly advise you also apply to American colleges and Fachhochschuele).
Second, is Spanish your second foreign language after German, or your strongest foreign language and if so why not Spain?
Third, since European universities have specific prereq requirements for each major, can you even meet the requirements if you don’t take CS in high school (if it’s mandatory for the programs you’re looking at, then the point is moot, you have no choice).
Germany is my 2nd language… Spanish is weak relatively but I’m fluent in 4 languages not including English (Greek, German, French, Spanish, Russian)
Take CS. You have enough foreign language qualification.
If you want to explore both fields, you don’t have to necessarily have to give up one class entirely. You could always self-study one of the classes.
AP Computer Science is fairly easy to self-study. I studied using edhesive’s program. You can sign up for their class or just watch their youtube videos and follow along as they release them. But whatever you do is up to you - code academy is also pretty popular.
But if you feel that the only reason why you want to take AP Spanish is for the college credit/impressing admissions, you should really consider self-studying that (since you’re already pretty advanced) and taking its AP Exam. Depending on the college, a 3+ can fulfill a foreign language requirement, so you can spend more time focusing on your major and interests.
Still, check out what those programs require in advance. Maybe their requirements/AP policies will help answer this question as well.