<p>I want to take JHU CTY's Fast-Paced HS Bio this summer for 3 weeks .. I've talked to my counselor at school and I was told that I would get placement for this provided that I take a Biology course sometime in my high school career (meaning I have to take AP Bio before I graduate).</p>
<p>I'm mainly looking for people who've attended CTY, more specifically, the CTY Bio course. Was it helpful, or did they just skim through materials during the 3 weeks? With more studying, could I be able to take AP Bio later on? Thanks!</p>
<p>I went to CTY a couple years ago and took the HS Bio Course. We covered a lot of material and did a ton of labs (i.e. pig dissection) but we skipped quite a few chapters that I later learned in high school. CTY was definetely helpful but didn't go into the minute details due to lack of time. Three weeks of cramming isn't really the same as a year of high school bio.</p>
<p>If you just want to learn the basics, then go ahead. But if you really want to learn biology, then just take the high school course.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies .. but the main thing I'm wondering is, am I ready to take an AP Bio course at school if I study more after I take CTY Bio? Or should I just take Honors Bio at school before the AP?</p>
<p>I've heard AP Bio is one of the easier AP courses. The most accelerated programs in high schools around my area let students take AP Biology freshmen year without taking Honors Bio at all (and a good number get 5's on the exam). It's not really definitive information, though, so don't base your decision entirely on this.</p>
<p>I do not think it would be a good idea to just take the course, study more, and then take the AP exam, though. If you're planning to take the AP course, just take it in school, normally, or their online course. CTY's summer course is like 3 grand, and it doesn't specifically prepare for the AP.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info schrizto .. but actually, I plan on commuting to CTY and still waiting for financial aid .. I'm guessing I'll need to pay somewhere between $1,000 - $1,500 in the end. </p>
<p>But if some people take AP Bio Freshmen year, wouldn't I be in the same situation (only taking it junior yr) but I would just know a little more Bio before hand? Right now, money isn't the problem but whether or not I need to have a good background on reg. Bio BEFORE taking the AP Bio course.</p>
<p>I took CTD Bio right before taking AP Bio. Certainly it's no substitute for honors courses (and CTY courses tend to be even worse than CTD), but it's very doable since AP Bio courses seem to start over from the very beginning rather than assuming you know stuff from Bio Honors. Plus you'll know a little from the CTY course, at least enough to see how the class is structured. (Of course AP will go fast because most people have had honors before, but if you're smart and willing to work it shouldn't be a problem.)</p>
<p>Also, what you get out of a CTY course depends on how much you study while you're there. Try to resist the pressures of your counselors and actually STUDY outside of class, it can really help you with the material.</p>