I just want to point out that it seems like you struggle in math but want to major in a math-y subject. If you struggle now my guess is college math will be quite hard for you. Are you sure this area is what you love or is it what’s expected of you and a way to get a good job ($$$)?
Are you getting all As in your English and history classes? Maybe that area is where your talents actually lie.
The trick is that a strong background in precalculus makes calculus “logical”, whereas if your background in precalculus is weak calculus won’t make sense. Completing the Berkeley course and getting a 4 or 5 on the AP calc exam will quell any doubt colleges light have BUT CS is super competitive so make SURE you apply to a few affordable colleges that don’t admit by major.
I’ve always loved computer science. I’ve centered most of my ecs around it.
These are my junior year 1st sem grades that colleges will see:
Physics: B
H. Precalc: B-
Cybersecurity(PLTW):A
AP Computer Science A: A
English: A
H. Digital electronics(PLTW); A-
AP US History: A
AP Calc AB: A-
Calc 1: A-
Calculus 1 and AP calculus AB are mostly the same course, so having both as distinct courses may look odd.
^ if I understand properly, op is not taking calculus AB, but taking the online class + the AP test to show s/he’s able to handle calculus better than their precalculus grade would let you imagine.
I just wanted to add this for my own reference. So school is going well so far. I have an A- in Physics, B in HPC, A+ in Cybersecurity, A+ in APCS, A+ in English, A in Honors Engineering, A in APUSH, and an A+ in AP Calc AB. I applied to a couple summer camps related to computer science over the summer and got in! I acquired a job shadow with my dad’s friend starting on March 13. I got an “Academies” award for engineering from my school which states that I completed all the courses in a pathway that can help my future careers. I also plan on taking a computer science and math course at a community college, but I’m not sure which ones yet.
I forgot to add this but I’m coaching some elementary school kids in basketball as well. Also where would one go to find possible scholarships? On Instagram, I keep seeing ads like “student A won 8000 dollars for having 8 A grades,” however, I don’t really trust that and am not sure how to search for possible scholarships.
I’m also beginning to think about applying to some colleges for Data Science - I find Statistics to be captivating, and plan on taking the course next year.
The best financial aid comes from the colleges themselves. You need to run the NPC (Net Price Calculator) on lots of colleges to figure out which ones will offer the best package (lowest net price for you). Each college has their own system and their own NPC so you need to enter your numbers on each college’s npc.
Do you know if colleges will like if someone wrote a research paper? I got a research internship with a professor in SJSU for Computer Science.
I really want to write the research paper regardless, but I was just wondering if colleges like to see that a prospective student has written a paper.
Alright, almost a year ago I was scared and stuck. I’ve finally gotten into college! My senior year schedule consisted of: AP Calc BC, AP Stat, AP Government and US Politics, AP Macroeconomics, Honors Aerospace Engineering, Expository Writing, Video Production, and PE. I pulled a 4.42 GPA which brought my weighted to ~3.99. I’ve gotten into RPI for CS, Rose-Hulman for CS, ASU for CS, Colorado State for CS/DS. I was deferred by Ohio State, Purdue, and Northeastern. I was rejected by UMass Amherst. I’m now waiting for the UCs, Cal States, Case Western, and RIT!
UPDATE: I got into SJSU for Software Engineering!