Hi, I’m a current freshman looking into high school classes for the next three years. I will probably decide to major in either engineering or mathematics. Here is my plan, wanted to check if the High school rigor is good, courses look doable, or is there something which I should add/modify in the plan:
Our school doesn’t provide Honors Bio/Phy/Chem. So am taking regular courses and then plan to take corresponding APs. I have enrolled in BYU for Spanish 2 currently and plan to finish it before my 10th summer.
Current Freshman Courses:
English 9
Algebra II (H)
Biology
Global Studies (H)
Spanish I
Sophomore:
English 10 (H)
Pre-Calc (H)
Chem
AP World Hisotry
AP Comp Sci A
Spanish 3
Junior:
English
AP Calc BC
Physics
AP US History
AP Chem
AP Spanish
Senior:
English
Multivariable Calc
AP Physics C
AP Macroeconomics
AP Stats
Not sure about the last elective - may be CyberSecurity ?
I have also a specific question on English - other than honors English in 10th grade, am planning to take a regular English track in my Junior and Senior year - is it ok because I already have 4 APs in my junior year.
If anyone could give my advice on my courses that would be great!
If you are aiming for the most selective colleges, dropping back to regular English may not be a good look.
Also, colleges generally require English composition courses for all majors. Better preparation in high school may make these courses less difficult for you (or some colleges may accept AP English scores for part or all of such a requirement).
Some colleges also want to see a visual or performing arts course.
AP statistics will not help you get advanced placement as a CS major, since any statistics that may be required will be calculus-based statistics.
I’d avoid two science courses, presumably both lab courses, in your Junior year.
Pick your favorite science, based on the initial course, and take the AP version Senior year.
Take AP Stats only if you find the topic interesting. AP Gov or Psych are other options, depending on your interests. Don’t take Stats thinking another “AP Math class” will be a big benefit - it’s a different level than AP Calc.
I’d advise taking at least honors English all the way through and, if you can, AP Language Junior year - it adds to a rigorous schedule and is a good course to take. I’m less inclined to push AP Lit - even my D is skipping that as a Senior (but still an honors English).
AP CSP a year before AP CSA is also an option.
No arts, music, choir, Phys Ed, health?
I missed out to mention that am doing Concert Band for an year in my freshman year. Also have half year of Health Ed which is mandatory for freshman year. I will update the main post.
Do you think AP Physics C and AP chem are doable in my senior year. Based on the above feedback, I was thinking of pushing out AP Chem to my senior year and instead take AP English - that would still make 4 APs in my junior year.
I am not too sure about AP stats yet, I might think about it later. I was adding it just as an another Math class. I was thinking rather add a PLTW track - Intro to Engg in junior (instead of AP Chem), and PLTW - Hons principles of Engg in Senior year. What do you think.
Thank you so much for providing feedback. I will modify the schedule to make it AP English.
I am doing Concert Band in my 9th grade to satisfy the VAPA requirement. Sorry to miss in the original post, cant seem to edit that now.
What are some of the other courses which can be helpful for CS major placement which can be fit in Junior and Senior year. Based on the advice from RichInPitt - looks like doing Physics and AP Chem in junior year together may not be a good idea.
Why not take physics in 11th grade and an AP science of your choice in 12th grade?
CS major degree programs may or may not require non-CS science. Non-CS science is more commonly required for CS major degree programs that are engineering-based. But note that AP science acceptance to fulfill requirements of college science is variable across colleges.
In terms of other math courses, you may want to consider discrete math or linear algebra if they are available at nearby colleges, since these are more commonly required for CS major degree programs than multivariable calculus.
PLTW courses may be helpful if you are also considering engineering majors and want to get some idea of how strong your interest is.