I am finalizing my schedule for school starting in September. So far this is what I am scheduled for and I’m not sure if any changes are necessary. I am applying a computer science major to UPenn and Duke (Questbridge applicant), Carnegie Mellon, Stevens, RPI, WPI, UNC, Michigan, UIUC, NJIT, Macaulay Honors (City College of NY), and Stony Brook.
1st period: seniors typically have no classes this period
2nd period: Principles of Engineering II (college dual enrollment)
3rd period: Economics (1st semester) Political Science (2nd semester) (college dual enrollment)
4th period: AP Calculus AB
5th period: AP Language and Composition
6th period: AP Computer Science Principles
7th period: Gym (required every other day)
8th period: seniors typically have no classes this period
For comparison my previous schedule was:
11th Grade:
AP Physics 1
AP Literature
AP American History
Engineering 1*
Precalculus*
Health (required)
Gym (required)
10th Grade:
AP Chemistry
AP European History
English 10 Honors
Algebra 2 Honors
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Gym (required)
9th Grade:
Mostly honors courses, no college level or AP classes available
I also have two jobs, am involved in multiple extracirculars including president of debate and news editor for the school paper, and two credits in ASL.
I am torn for two main reasons:
Calculus BC is offered but it would conflict with AP Computer Science, which relates to my major.
Physics C but I’m not sure where I could fit it in (I believe there may be a 8th period class though) and Physics 1 was my worst subject in hs (85 compared to all 90s) and don’t want my gpa to suffer from a poor grade in C.
I already have 4 credits in math and science and senior year would be a 5th credit.
Some of the schools prefer 4 years of foreign language (U Penn is one of them). You should at least be shooting for three.
Also, have you taken bio? Most schools want to see bio, chem, and physics.
And what about US gov?
Overall, this seems pretty light to me in terms of rigor for the schools are shooting for since you don’t have classes 1st or 8th, and only gym every other for 7th.
I took Living Environment Honors in 8th grade, which counted as a high school credit (LE is typically a sophomore level class). I am not sure if that counts as a biology class or if I would need an AP/dual enrollment bio. Our school does not offer US government and we are required to take economics and political science senior year (either regular or dual enrollment like me). For language the only ASL teacher in our school retired and there are no more classes. Perhaps would it be good to continue that through a cc or other program?
As for the schedule, the way my school’s schedule is set up underclassmen take periods 1-8 and senior classes are 2-7 unless they have a specific elective or activity that period that won’t fit anywhere else in their schedule.
I agree with the above that you should ask your guidance counselor to explain to colleges that ASL was discontinued.
Ideally though, try to find another place to continue and I would add bio as well if you can.
As an aside, be sure you have taken your SAT subject tests and see what is required. CS at CMU requires two subject tests - math II and either chem, physics, or bio.
Living environment counts as biology. However, try to take another science through dual enrollment, perhaps in the Spring the period you’re taking engineering this Fall.
You need to take Asl3 if at all possible, or take level 1+2 of an actual foreign language through dual enrollment (this will match high school level 3 since it’s more intense than a high school class.) Pick a class you d like to continue in college since you’ll have more foreign language at Penn.
You have met the state’s requirement of one year of life science (living environment) and one year of physical science(chemistry) and a third year of science -either life or physical science (physics). AP bio would definitely have more depth and breadth than living environment.
Depending on how your school codes courses, engineering can be coded as a physical science (if you attend a NYC DOE school it would be coded as SD with the suffix code that it is a course for college credit). However, if it is coded as elective (along with computer science) then it is an elective and you should think about adding a science course to your schedule.
That being said, you can’t be afraid of academically stretching yourself (you are doing your self no favors by taking what you think are simple courses to protect your GPA. you run the risk of not getting that most demanding box checked off on your college app or your guidance counselor calling you out on your recommendations for being cautious and not willing to take risks). If not AP physics, what about AP Bio.
Personally, I would rather see Calc BC vs Calc AB and an AP science.
I am a little surprised that your school is not offering US government (but they are probably coding the political science course that it meets the requirement for govt).
Are you shooting for an advance regents diploma? If yes, will you need the 3rd year of language (or are you doing a CTE, where you will not have to fulfill the LOTE requirement?) If your school does not offer CTE as a mechanism for an advanced regents diploma, how to students fulfill the LOTE requirement? If your school no longer offers ASL as a foreign language, what foreign language does it offer (foreign language is a graduation requirement)?
Your counselor should definitely address the foreign language offerings (or lack thereof) in the school profile.
I have four credits in science as of now: one life, two chemistry, one physics.
8th Grade: Living Environment Honors
9th Grade: Chemistry Honors
10th Grade: AP Chemistry
11th Grade: AP Physics 1
Engineering I was coded with electives however was denoted as a college level course so it is safe to assume Engineering II will be coded the same way. I am not sure how AP Comp Sci would be coded as this will be the first year my school offers the class.
I live in upstate NY not NYC so the requirements and transcripts are somewhat different from the city. I was planning to get my advanced regents through a five-year sequence in technology (one design, one computer design, two engineering, and AP Comp Sci).
NYC and upstate grant diplomas based on the state regs and the base graduation requirements are the same.
This includes using Engineering as a science or if more that based as a math course or elective (that is part of the state regs) the course coding would be based on how your school determines what discipline the course falls under.
Thanks for the clarification on why you will not need the LOTE for an advanced regents diploma.
I still think you would and could be better served taking a 5th year of science especially because you are considering STEM.
@sybbie719 I was able to get moved from AB to BC as space was opened up in classes needed to reorganize my schedule. Science is unlikely unless I drop Comp Sci or revert back to AB. Would BC and Comp Sci be competitive compared to BC and Physics/Bio or AB, Physics/Bio, and Comp Sci? I now have 7th period filled with only 1st and 8th empty (which have few senior courses).