<p>Hey guys!
I'm looking to apply into engineering or science.
I have a dilemma:</p>
<p>I love computer science, I hate to be clich</p>
<p>Here’s one example … Princeton … [Academic</a> Preparation | Princeton University](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/preparation/]Academic”>http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/preparation/). They would like you to take 4 years of an language … so I’d say stopping at two years would be very risky. In addition, I’d recommend going to the admissions pages of each of the school to which you are going to apply and check their requirements … and then you’ll know your answer.</p>
<p>One thing however, idk how course recommendations work, as a bunch of my friends stopped at 2 years and went on to Ivys.</p>
<p>It’s a little hard to comment because your graduation requirements are obviously very different from our schools (e.g. history is not optional). But I see you have AP physics listed in both junior and senior years? Why not drop the Physics B this year and take the AP computer science? In my opinion, Physics B is not a very helpful class because it tries to teach second year physics without calculus, and you really should have calculus at that point.</p>
<p>Just wanted to add, I think it’s a bad idea to drop the French. It might cause you problems with admissions and also you will most likely have to take French in college, instead of some cool science class you really wanted to take. Why not ask for permission to take a seventh class this year? 6 credits is a very light high school course load. It wouldn’t be considered at all challenging in our schools (you wouldn’t earn enough credits to graduate.)</p>
<p>One of the first things we see, on the transcript, is if you filled the language requirement. Yes, there are some STEM kids who can get by with 2 or 3 years- but the competition is fierce enough that it’s just not wise to take chances. Many of those kids have something extraordinary that overcomes the lack.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you can do summer school or, in some cases, online- and, in Addl Info, explain there was a scheduling conflict.</p>
<p>@Mathyone Physics B is required for AP Physics C</p>
<p>@lookingforward, if I were to take a course online or at summer school, or even at a university (In this case Columbia visiting students program) which should I take? In addition, my school doesn’t give their own credit for any courses taken outside of school, as apparently it is “too easy compared to our standards”.</p>
<p>@lookingforward, one more thing, how are senior year classes weighted to junior year classes?</p>
<p>Hmm. You sound like my daughter, who can’t get enough math and science, but decided on CS kind of late in her high school career. Some things you didn’t mention but should consider: </p>
<p>Personally, I think it’s worth taking the AP CS class to get a better idea of what you’re getting into. Also, some of the kids majoring in CS have pretty extensive backgrounds in CS. I think the AP CS A class may be kind of lightweight compared to many college classes, but it’s probably a lot better than nothing. CS is often in engineering schools, whereas the sciences and math are generally in arts and sciences, so the more sure you are about CS as opposed to those alternatives the better, since you may be looking at separate admissions. Having as much experience as possible with CS by that time should help in that decision. </p>
<p>I would regard all the AP classes as an opportunity to explore your interests rather than necessarily a substitute for college classes. Some colleges won’t even accept various AP credits. And some may accept it but you may be advised not to take the credit because in the college’s experience, students who take those credits often flounder, because the AP classes often really aren’t equivalent to the college ones. </p>
<p>Some engineering programs require a physics or chemistry SAT2. That might influence your choice or timing of courses.</p>
<p>IF you are at a highly rigorous private hs it’s not always wise to sorely test their recommendations. In return for some of the college planning muscle they swing for you, you need to sometimes mind their rules. In the long run, their own relationships with the Ivies and top xx schools can be affected by the consistent quality of the kids they endorse. You want a strong endorsement. We don’t know how many other kids in your class may be wanting P. </p>
<p>That said, we don’t know if you’re in the Columbia program now or were, previously. You’ve already dropped history, want to drop French- and are a B+/A-. My concern (and don’t assume I speak for P,) would be getting you back on the right track. Either you keep French and take CS elsewhere or you do what it takes to get history and French 3 done, with a grade, before Sept 2014.</p>
<p>Ivy admissions is a high stakes game. Despite all the CC talk about passions and being unique, there is a conformity in preparation expected- that’s the nature of the competition. Can you think about that?</p>
<p>Yes, grades matter- they look at the transcript. You haven’t mentioned activities, but many stem kids apply with all the goods- your school may seem like a feeder, but you compete within your area, as well. If you are solid A in your stem classes, with various experiences, the B’s in language can matter less- but, as said, we don’t know your full detail.</p>
<p>Plus 1 for passion. If you love CompSci take it.</p>
<p>@lookingforward Sorry one more thing about that: I finished French 3 my sophmore year, and my THIRD year IS French 4 honors. I’m a year ahead. I finished a “third year course” without it being the actual third year.
I will be taking a third year of History my Senior year, which is History of Economics</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your advice and insight, it’s greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>I have good standardized testing scores by the way, very very good actually, as my school is just so so so hard - which is why the gpa doesn’t quite match (aka history courses with an essay a night)</p>
<p>Hmm… This is tricky, but I’d be really concerned with only having 2 years of a foreign language. I know CS is your passion, but if it’s what you’re going to be studying in college anyway, why rush into it and sacrifice other important elements? </p>
<p>Most top schools view 2 years as minimal and 4 as the new norm. 4 years of good grades in a foreign language not only helps show colleges that you’re consistent and well-rounded with something but also will help you out with your language requirement. </p>
<p>What is the language requirement at Princeton? Some schools make you take it until you can pass a proficiency test, and others just want you to take 2 years. If they make you take through a certain level (say 202), you might be able to test right into 102 or 201 and get that done really quickly. </p>
<p>Also, not having it for a year will really hurt your skills. Foreign languages truly are “use it or lose it” concepts. By taking it for a third year, you’ll keep up with the grammar and the sound of the language and your college courses will be easier.</p>
<p>EDIT: saw your post and would like to add that it’s great you’re through French 3. However, French 4 will really help put things into perspective for you and will help you with the placement tests. I’ve known French 3 and French 4 friends to place into entirely different levels with the hindsight being that they wish they had had an extra year in high school to skip ahead a semester in college. </p>
<p>Just think about it. Give French a chance. :D</p>
<p>History of econ won’t make up for APush or Euro. I saw your post with the list of experiences- your challenge is to get the hs solidly on your side (that includes your relationships with/respect from LoR writers) and pull all your details together in one neat, consistent presentation. Consistent doesn’t mean all stem, all the time. It means consistent in good judgment and understanding what the basic expectations are. </p>
<p>P says, for college language: demonstrated proficiency or one to four terms of coursework depending on the language you choose and the level at which you start.</p>
<p>In general, these tests aren’t that hard- but you don’t want to be one with little language background, who has trouble with the classes and needs 3-4 semesters, impacting your freedom to take the stem courses you want. Keep this in mind.</p>
<p>Just a thought - you could take college level introductory computer science classes next summer. My son spent a summer at Ole Miss’ Summer College for High School Students and earned 12 credits, including 6 for computer science at no charge. He had a full merit scholarship and loved it. I think it’s best for you to continue your French class at least through this year but you could explore comp Sci next summer.</p>
<p>FYI:
Im a very proficent coder. I have a good knowledge of Java, C++, Obj-C, C, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, MySQL, Django, Python, Perl and JavaScript.
The AP course in my school doesn’t at all follow the college board curriculum. We do really advanced data structures and AI.
I’m honestly not looking for a camp course. In fact I could easily TA at one of those right now. But thank you so much for your advice! No help goes unappreciated :)</p>
<p>The courses at Ole Miss are the same ones the college students take. The only camp part is the optional weekend outings. It is possible that the first two introductory computer science courses would be below your level many places. Why not just self study the AP comp Sci course and take the exam?</p>
<p>It sounds to me like she already knows the AP CS A material but the class is more advanced than that and she wants to take it. I get the sense you will regret if you don’t have the opportunity to take it. So, how about if you cut out the art history and/or research half credit classes? Or, since your login name says premed, have you researched whether med schools (or CS programs) will accept those AP bio and AP physics classes? If you are just going to end up taking a first-year bio and/or physics class anyhow, to satisfy premed or engineering requirements, then maybe it’s not so important to take the AP class in high school. Unless you can get 7 (or 6.5) classes, something has to go.</p>