<p>I want to apply to CMU SCS as an ED but I have a MAJOR issue and its my course rigor. What do you advise I do with my issue? How much does it hurt my chances of being accepted into CMU SCS?</p>
<p>I could not enroll in AP courses becuase currently I go DPHS and in 9th grade I went to another school and I was enrolled in the magnet EST (Engineering Science and Technology) but had to leave becuase my dad got a job transfer. At the other school they did not offer AP courses to Freshman they only offered Honors which I took and I took 5 of them and we are required to have 7 classes a year and the other 2 were Hope and Spanish 1, which they did not offer Honors. Then for 10th grade I came to High School but when I transfered here classes had already been chosen so it became difficult for me to enroll in AP becuase the state government passed a class size amenmandt stating only 25 kids per class and those spots were already taken. Also I was forced to take some regular courses because Honor spots had been taken. Now I am in 11th grade and I enrolled in AP classes but the spots in AP classes went to the CIS (kinda like IB but not as hard) kids first which is a magnet program offered here I would have enrolled in CIS but you have to enroll as an incoming Freshman and there were no open spots becuase if they tried to squeeze me into some of the AP classes then my school faces fines from the school district for breaking state law and now I am stuck again 5 honors classes, the non-honors are Web Design 2 and Team Sports 1. In my school district OCPS we are required to have 8 elective credits to meet graduation requirements and they dont offer AP or Honors in the electives classes offered are like Basketball, Team Sports 1, Team Sports 2, Hope, and Weightlifting, etc....</p>
<p>In addition to, my school is so underfunded they have had to remove elective teachers and are forced to teach a English, Math, or any other core based class becuase we don't have enough money to hire additional teachers.</p>
<p>Thats why I could not enroll in AP's but I have taken the most rigourous cirriculm that I could possibly take and I would have taken AP's but due to a variety of reasons as stated above, I was unable to. </p>
<p>How can I go about communicating this to the admissions personnel at CMU? I know course rigor is important to them, and this situation was clearly out of my hands. I dont want this one issue to hinder my chances of acceptance into CMU SCS. I plan on participating in sleep over weekend and giving a interview which seem like chances for me to communicate that to admissions personnel. </p>
<p>What else do you advise I do?</p>
<p>How much does it hurt my chances of being accepted into SCS?</p>
<p>P.S. Sorry if this comes off as whiny not intending for it to.</p>
<p>What state are you in that fines for class sizes over 25 students? I’m sorry, but I call BS on this story. It smells fishy. Are you telling me that it is literally impossible for a student who transferred into HS in 10th grade in your area to take AP classes? That there is NO WAY you could have taken them? That would constitute a discrimination case in court if it were true, which it probably isn’t.</p>
<p>I know a little about how state magnet programs work, having been through a few of them, and I know that they don’t force non-magnet kids out of classes to make room for magnet students. I think you’re spinning this pretty hard to make you sound like the victim.</p>
<p>As I said in my other reply to you-- if you want to be in the business of defending yourself instead of selling yourself, you aren’t a competitive applicant.
Bottom line- without those courses, you aren’t prepared academically for the rigorous CS curriculum at CMU (or MIT).
You need to seek safeties in your schools.</p>
<p>I’m with Kate- -being a victim isn’t going to give you a spot at either school- even if you are a URM. You need to be able to handle the work here.</p>
<p>I think that if the OP is really stuck, there are definitely ways to show that you can handle the rigorous curriculum and are willing to work extra hard to demonstrate this. I understand that the OP is a Junior thinking of applying next Fall. There are various options: take AP tests on your own, do very well on several SAT II tests, take community college courses or attend, this summer, a pre-college program at a good school and take very challenging course. THen, have your GC explain your situation…not you and how you have stretched yourself to demonstrate you have the ability to handle college level coursework, particularly in the sciences. It seems very unreasonable and unbelievable that you are unable to take AP calculus due to bureaucratic nonsense but you have topped out your math.</p>
<p>completelykate: OP is right class size in Florida is 25 student per class in high school mandated by the state. For the past 7 or 8 years schools have been reducing class size, and 2010-2011 was the final year for all schools to comply or they will be fined.</p>
<p>OP: have you considered online classes? Florida Virtual school offers many AP classes. You would register online and get approval from your GC and parents. Both my children took it and they actually liked it. At our district you can be exempt from taking a class in school if you are taking it online. Another options is to take classes at the community college, you won’t get the AP credit but you may be well prepared to take the AP exam. My S school always approves students that want to take classes online or at CC, mainly now that they have to comply with class size. Our school pays for all online classes and non-summer classes at CC, they also pay for the AP exams. Check with your GC the policies in your school.</p>
<p>As a Jnr and if you’re a URM, both MIT and CMU have summer programs in math/science.</p>
<p>MITES at MIT</p>
<p>SAMS or APEA at CMU</p>
<p>Deadlines fast approaching-- maybe even Feb for one or both – you should google and get an application together ASAP. Apply- they are both free, both extremely competitive. If you do well in either program a very good chance at admission.
These are excellent programs targeting URMs in STEM fields.
Several other well known schools have similar programs.</p>
<p>So Florida is the state he’s coming from?</p>
<p>I did a little searching on the CIS program in Florida. According to the internet, it’s nothing like the IB program, which is what the OP stated. It’s a program that helps at-risk students stay in school (so we’re not talking AP students, we’re talking impoverished/bad background/apathetic students). </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Why would CIS students be completely filling 25-student AP courses for which there are no other sections offered? Doesn’t that sound even slightly suspicious? Unless there’s some kind of super secret special program at his school alone that is some unheard-of IB equivalent he’s full of ****.</p>
<p>@Kate</p>
<p>It’s usually me spotting the trolly-fishy types—I’m shocked! <3</p>
<p>I thought the OP’s posts were weird-- since this is the third thread the OP has started recently with not much research done behind things about the school-- but you beat me to the punch line!</p>
<p>At completelykate, The CIS is like IB but no way as hard as IB it is offered at Dr. Phillips High School, and the program you are reffering to is VPA which is Visual and Performing Arts. They have always given class selection priority because they feel CIS is so AMAZING. You can google class size amenmandt in Florida, and see that it is at 25 and they are considering making it even smaller in core classes. I posted in other sections because I was not getting responses and I was freaking out. Also Kate, I am in Florida and how can I have a descrimination case in court, I could have taken AP classes if I was in CIS, but you have to apply as a incoming freshman and as a Freshman I was at EST Magnet offered at Edgewater High School, but then my dad had was asked to transfer because he was offered more money he accepted and I had to transfer schools as well and when I applied to Dr. Phillips High School, they had already given out classes for next year and they have to comply with the law so AP and some Honors coureses had been filled. In 11th they have given sole priority to class selection to their CIS kids and there are many students in the same issue at my school. @lillymom I have considered online courses and I am planning on taking AP Computer Science online at FLVS.</p>
<p>Any other questions please just ask.</p>
<p>Here is a description of the CIS magnet, it is from the OCPS website.</p>
<p>In 1987, the Center for International Studies (CIS) Magnet Program was developed by Orange County Public Schools to provide students with an awareness of global issues, an understanding of other cultures, and the attainment of multilingual abilities necessary for international business and diplomacy. Recognizing the interdependency of nations and their increasing globalization, the CIS Magnet addresses the ever-growing need for cultural awareness and practical ability to succeed in a diverse and multi-ethnic world. </p>
<p>CIS is designed to help students attain much-needed competencies in global affairs so they can understand the impact of international issues and events on their daily lives. CIS students learn about cultures and peoples, exploring humanity’s similarities and differences across place and time. The program also helps to develop skills necessary for student admission to competitive universities both here and abroad. CIS students develop the skills, attain the knowledge, and cultivate an attitude of cross-cultural awareness that will assist them in whatever direction they pursue in their future.</p>
<p>Social studies and world languages form the core of the CIS experience. In addition to studying history, social studies classes provide an exciting exposure to different cultures, faiths, and international relationships. The study of world languages is an integral component of an international education, and students may choose to study one or two languages to fulfill their minimum four-year world language requirement. The college-preparatory curriculum is designed to emphasize the development of good study, research, and critical thinking skills.</p>
<p>In addition to the specialized curriculum, student education is enhanced through many stimulating international experiences, including guest speakers, hosting of international students, and participation in study-travel programs in Europe and Japan, all of which afford students direct interaction with foreign cultures.</p>
<p>Here is another…</p>
<p>The Center for International Studies (CIS) Magnet provides a strong academic curriculum with an international dimension. Students develop the skills, attain the knowledge, and cultivate an attitude of cross-cultural awareness that will assist them in whatever direction they pursue in their future. Social studies and world languages form the core of the CIS curriculum. Students are exposed to major concepts and issues in international affairs, politics, history, world religions, and humanities. As part of their commitment to international studies, students become proficient in a foreign language, while having the opportunity to develop skills in a second foreign language. The CIS magnet offers a strong Advanced Placement emphasis, enhancing student opportunities for scholarships and college entrance.</p>
<p>“The CIS magnet offers a strong Advanced Placement emphasis, enhancing student opportunities for scholarships and college entrance.”</p>
<p>There you have it the Advanced Placement emphasis is basically saying they are given priority in course selection.</p>
<p>Here is the website for the information:</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.ocps.net/cs/services/options/schoolchoice/MagnetPrograms/Pages/SeniorHighMagnetPrograms.aspx[/url]”>https://www.ocps.net/cs/services/options/schoolchoice/MagnetPrograms/Pages/SeniorHighMagnetPrograms.aspx</a></p>
<p>Just scroll down to Center for International Studies there are many other magnets on there.</p>
<p>Here is a description of the amenmandt: Came from the Florida Department of Education Website.</p>
<p>Class Size Reduction Amendment</p>
<p>Florida’s Class Size Reduction Amendment History
In 2002, citizens approved an amendment to the Florida Constitution that set limits on the number of students in core classes (such as Math, English, Science, etc.) in the state’s public schools. Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the maximum number of students in each core class would be:</p>
<p>18 students in prekindergarten through grade 3;
22 students in grades 4 through 8; and
25 students in grades 9 through 12.
In 2003, the Florida Legislature enacted Senate Bill 30-A that implemented the amendment by requiring the number of students in each classroom be reduced by at least two students per year beginning in the 2003-04 school year, until the maximum number of students per classroom did not exceed the requirements in law. The amendment would be calculated as follows: </p>
<p>2003-2004, 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 at the district level
2006-2007 and 2008-2009 at the school level
The 2009 Legislature extended the calculation at the school level for an additional year to include 2009-2010.
2010-2011 at the classroom level </p>
<p>Here is the website for you to verify.</p>
<p>[Class</a> Size Reduction Amendment](<a href=“Class Size”>Class Size)</p>
<p>OP
You are missing the point. You basically asked if the rigor of your curriculum will hurt your chances.
We all replied-- yes it will.
Admissions committees aren’t going to admit you based on this elaborate explanation.
You need to make yourself more competitive and several posters have given you a few options, including my suggestion you apply to SAMS or MITEs.</p>
<p>Take the focus off explaining the limits and focus on why you are a strong applicant and make yourself one - you have lots of time remaining in your HS career to do so.</p>
<p>Okay, I’ll grant you that it IS that “super secret” one-district program that I called a possible exception. However, you’re still a liar.</p>
<p>It also says on that same site:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>But you said:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Additionally, according to that legislature you just posted, the restriction is only on CORE classes. AP classes are not in a CORE category.</p>
<p>Isn’t it funny how there are hundreds of applicants on CC from Florida, yet not a single one has mentioned that they couldn’t take AP classes before you?</p>
<p>Fail.</p>
<p>Well it would appear this forum has certainly taken a (semi) nosedive from past years. Kinda sad, but at least it is still a resource…</p>
<p>to OP: don’t be too concerned with what others have said, apply if you want to apply. Have someone in your admin office at your school type up a letter explaining your situation re:AP classes (or a teacher) and have it sent with your transcript. Reference this letter in your application if you wish. Doing this plus getting high grades in the hardest classes you can take will maximize your chances. Also, don’t get too hung up on going to CMU SCS. It is just one school in a fairly cold and cloudy city :D. You’ve got berkeley, stanford, MIT, georgia tech, etc etc etc and those are just the “elites” in CS. A CMU SCS admit is never guaranteed, even with “800 math” and a great transcript. Do your best, apply, and hope for the best.</p>
<p>completelykate: I don’t know about the OP school district, but in my district AP classes are considered core classes and are capped at 25 students. In our school student were register in AP classes according to their class rank. Unfortunately, Florida in general has a bad school system, combined with budget cuts and class size reduction, the task to accommodate students in their desired class is very difficult.
I don’t believe the OP is lying, he is in a difficult situation; having changed schools and not having preference for class registration. But if he really wants to show colleges that he is capable, he need to take classes outside high school or self study for AP exams.</p>
<p>Whether or not he’s lying, I agree with the last two posters that ultimately he needs to decide</p>
<p>A) to not whine about it, and
B) to get off his butt and do something. Take some self-study APs. Go online through that Florida online system lilymom mentioned earlier. Seriously, just do something, OP. You have two more years.</p>
<p>AP classes are core classes, and they are capped to 25 kids, I can take AP classes at FLVS but it kinda seems stupid to be taking Honors English in school and then AP English online I was thinking about taking AP classes my school does not offer such as AP Computer Science and other courses in the same relm. Would that suffice?</p>