I want to take computer science this year (my senior year of high school), but the only way I’d have room in my schedule is if I drop my other science electives (environmental and forensics). For college admissions, I know most schools prefer 4 years of science and I don’t want to do anything to reduce my chances of getting into competitive schools. Will colleges see computer science as a way to fulfill their 4-year science standard? If it depends on the school, I’m applying to Creighton, Boston College, and my state flagship.
It depends…
If your three years were biology, chemistry, and physics, then it should be ok to choose between computer science and environmental science based on interest. If not, then consider taking the “missing” one.
Colleges that like to see four years of science tend to like seeing the fourth one be an advanced course in one of the three core sciences.
2 Likes
Check your school’s course guide. At our high school, CS is categorized as mathematics.
2 Likes
At mine it’s just categorized as computer science because it’s its own department.
Also it’s AP Computer Science A if that makes any difference
At our school it’s a technology credit - definitely not science.
That said, colleges are equally as likely to want to see it on a transcript if the other sciences are already there, esp Bio and Chem.
Talk to your guidance counselor so you don’t mess up on requirements to graduate. For college this likely will not be considered science but check each college of interest to be sure.
I agree with @Creekland that it’s not science. I don’t see it as a must , even for a CS major although it can’t hurt.
Our high school requires a CS or other Tech credit to graduate now, but it doesn’t have to be AP, of course. I think it’s a good thing.
Agree with the other advice. If you’ve taken bio, chem, and physics it should be OK from the college perspective to take CS but double check with your guidance counselor to make sure that you are meeting your graduation requirements. FWIW, CS was in the math department at my D’s HS too.
The UCs consider computer science as a lab science (satisfies the ‘D’ requirement in the A-G requirements). Computer Science Now More Than an Elective for University of California Admissions | EdSurge News
There may be more schools that do the same, but most don’t consider CS as a science (IME). You can call the colleges on your list and ask, it’s a good reason to reach out to your AOs. Definitely take bio, chem, and physics first if targeting highly rejective schools.
When colleges state that they prefer applicants to have taken science courses, I’m fairly certain they mean courses in basic sciences (i.e. physics, chemistry, or biology) that can form the foundation for other college courses in sciences and engineering. Computer science, how ever a high school classified it or useful it is, isn’t a basic science, nor is it foundational.
Not exactly. CS counts as a “D” course only after the 2 year minimum has been met in courses covering 2 of bio/chem/physics. So it can count only as a 3rd or 4th year of science.
Which is not really different from what users are advising OP. If OP already has bio/chem/physics, taking CS, regardless of whether the college counts it as a science, is unlikely to impact the admissions decision.