Recently, our HS introduced some PLTW courses, the courses seem interesting, but I wonder whether it is worth replacing the core science courses, such as Physics and Chemistry for the PLTW courses. How will college admission officer view those courses? As colleges, in general, look for 4 years of science, will college consider PLTW course as a science course?
I noticed another thread mentioned them as “easy” but the final may cover material that students have not learned…Is it common? how useful are those courses as college credits from RTI?
My D took PLTW Biomed this year. She loved it! She is not a science kid and had no interest in physics or AP Bio. While Biomed was an easy A for her, she learned a ton. If Biomed 2 would have fit into next year’s schedule she would have loved to take it. As to whether colleges will frown upon her lack of other science classes, only time will tell.
If the courses are PTLW engineering, they should supplement physics and chemistry, not replace them. The courses are good, but very differently focused.
My second kid (currently a CS/Engin major in college) had that choice. We as a family decided that replacing the standard core courses was not a good idea (and he couldn’t fit them in as a supplement). I still believe that was the right decision for the highly selective colleges he applied to (he’s at Swarthmore). I have no doubt the courses are interesting and valuable, but I don’t think they should replace the science core (at least for a STEM focused kid and selective schools).
I would NOT replace core science courses. The PLTW courses have been great electives and have helped my d19 figure out what areas of engineering she does and doesn’t like. She has enjoyed them overall. They have helped her apply some concepts and been a nice different kind of elective for a kid not super into music or art, etc.
Many colleges we have looked at will only count these credits as electives in college, not a replacement for the same or similar classes an engineering major would have to take. Even the case at RIT and University at Buffalo.
Additionally, since you are mentioning RIT, I’m guessing you are in NY. These courses won’t count as Regents level, and if your child wants mastery in science on their diploma, these won’t replace the 3rd (I think it’s 3 required) regents science.
No, I am not from NY, but I noticed another thread mentioned college credit and RIT. I looked into the curriculum from RIT for some courses, I doubt it can easily followed in a HS curriculum.
DS17 took three years of PLTW engineering courses. When we toured different colleges, the answers to the question of how the credits would transfer ranged from 1-1 for a required intro to engineering course to counting as gen ed credit, to counting toward requirements for graduation but not replacing any required or elective class, to “never heard of it – you’d have to ask the registrar.” He eventually decided that wasn’t really a factor in his college decision.
In S’s case, the classes didn’t replace any core science HS classes, and we never asked if they would satisfy entrance requirements for science.
I would say that if your student has room in his/her schedule and has the desire to take them, I would treat them as exploratory without counting on anything other than gen ed transfer credit. Then you’ll be happily surprised if the college your child attends accepts them straight up for a class required for the chosen major.
S found the engineering courses to be very helpful in confirming his interest in engineering, and he found that he was well prepared for the tests, which he was required to achieve a high score on to receive the college credit. He was really glad he took them.
Hope that helps a little.
My S will be a senior in the fall and will be taking his 4th PLTW course. He has really enjoyed them and they have been instrumental in his decision to pursue engineering in college. As has been mentioned they are supplemental electives and definitely not intended to be taken in lieu of science courses. Don’t even consider skipping Chemistry and Physics.
Freshman year the teacher pointed out that the biggest advantage of taking the courses is that a student will get an understanding of what engineering is and whether it is a good fit as a career, rather than wasting time and money in college only to discover that it is not.
As far as the course credit, I looked into it and it didn’t seem worth the price to me for the dubious future value.
What are PLTW courses? Never heard of this. Thanks!
It is best for a high school student interested in engineering to take the usual core sciences (biology, chemistry, and (especially) physics) and consider PLTW courses as academic electives to help him/her determine how interested s/he really is in engineering.
Note that UC/CSU considers PLTW courses as academic electives (category “g”) rather than science courses (category “d”). For example: https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/details/923/ . It is likely that many other colleges take a similar viewpoint on them.
Hi @mom2and PLTW stands for Project Lead the Way… Unfortunately I can’t tell you too much about it except from googling. I am trying to find out more about it myself.
Don’t replace Bio/Chem/Physics with PLTW…it should be considered an academic elective.
We did pay RIT for the credits ($200 or so at the time) and my DD was able to use those credits in college. I recall for RIT it was a trimester course so my DD only got 2 credits for it.