<p>Hey guys. Lately, I've been considering dropping my AP Comp Sci class. I feel that I don't connect with CS all that well...the way we do things is so different compared to AP sciences or maths (I'm a math/science guy). What do you guys think?</p>
<p>So far, it's hard to make a connection with CS. On top of that, my teacher is horrible, no lie. The way he teaches us is giving us power points and then sleeping. I don't know if you guys understand what I mean when I say that the thinking behind CS is different from science/math, or any class for that matter. </p>
<p>However, I'm a junior right now, and if I do go on with CS and get A's, it's a GPA booster. If I were to drop CS, I'd pretty much have to be a TA. Will having TA on a transcript as a junior work against my application? I'd be applying to USC // UCs if that helps.</p>
<p>THANKS!</p>
<p>CS is related to science and math, yet we go about it a different way. We think computationally. We have a problem, and we think of a way to solve it using our knowledge of programming.</p>
<p>You have to approach it differently from how you go about other math problems.</p>
<p>If you drop it, it won’t look that well, but do what you must.</p>
<p>Would it have any significant impact on my college admissions? "/</p>
<p>I mean you are dropping an AP course, but is your schedule still rigorous?</p>
<p>Well, compared to most CCers, my schedule would be easy. But in my school, it’s considered decently challenging.</p>
<p>AP calc AB
AP Physics C M + E/M
AP Comp Sci (as of now)
Regular english 11
Spanish 3
US History Honors</p>
<p>Well, AP Physics C M + E/M is no joke. </p>
<p>AP Calc AB’s a good course.
I mean a solid schedule, where are you aiming for?
And what’s the problem with not having the CS thinking mind?</p>
<p>Since you’re not taking Honors English or APUSH you might want to stick with AP CS, unless the issue is that it’s too hard. If the schedule is too demanding, you’re better off dropping something.</p>
<p>I actually thought that my thinking process for CS was often fundamentally similar to that for math, physics, and chem. It’s basically just following the flow of logic and using an array of tools to handle different situations (similar to following changing molecules in a reaction or resorting to a systematic method for solving, say, a simple optimization problem). </p>
<p>However, I’m of the opinion that learning CS on your own for the first time would probably be pretty difficult, so in the end it’s up to you.</p>
<p>While I agree that it is a much different FORM of a math or science, I wouldn’t necessarily count it out as not being worth a try.</p>
<p>Computer science has to do with logic, algorithm, and how they are processed in a computer. It’s not a mind-numbingly difficult class, but you do have to think a bit at times. You learn to make inferences, analyze data, and most importantly learn to make the steps with which the computer will carry out actions.</p>
<p>To tell you the truth, my teacher was pretty awful as well. It was his first year teaching at our school, there were a ton of errors and mistakes throughout his lectures and tests, and it was just a bit too unorganized at times for an AP class. But the textbook, which I believe was Cayman, is rather straightforward and easily understood by reading it yourself. I’d say my teacher was only really helpful when that rare segment of information was confusing.</p>
<p>So, don’t give up yet! You may find that CS is much more fun, easy, and rewarding than you feel. That class is sort of what determined what I would like to major in - Electrical Engineering - and so you never know when it might turn out to be more than you expect.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input everyone. I’ve decided to give it at least a week more before I consider dropping!</p>