Do colleges look at pltw courses (5 of them) as “rigorous”? Or do they think it’s a waste of time? I’m going into engineering.
I forgot to add: at schools that don’t accept their credits
Most schools consider them to be college level similar to AP. No college will view higher level engineering classes taken in high school as a waste of time.
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If you are going into engineering it is to your benefit to take those courses. My son took them and I know they did not hurt his application. He was admitted ED to Wash U.
Where on the rigor scale are these? I presume under APs…
Rigor is comparable to AP. These are college level courses. Pass the test at the end and you receive transcripted credits from the sponsoring college. Those credits are transferable to any other college, subject to that college’s transfer credit guidelines.
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My son asked a version of this question to RPI and Case Western. Specifically he asked if he could place out of any freshman engineering classes based on PLTW. RPI indicated awareness of PLTW, said they would not give credit but might consider for placement purposes. Case Western seemed less aware, but in response to an email said that while PLTW engineering classes would not be considered for credit or placement, they would be viewed favorably by the admissions office.
Seems to me that if you are taking the classes, enjoying them, and doing well in them, you will be gaining some insight into engineering, which will make you a more informed applicant, and it will be an indication to admissions folks that you are both serious and a good candidate. FWIW my son has been accepted to a bunch of engineering programs already - still waiting on others but feeling good about PLTW at the moment!
What’s the difference between PLTW and STEM? I have attended high schools and 2 used PLTW were as the other uses STEM. All I know its robotics stuff.
PLTW is strictly engineering courses while STEM refers to the big 4: science, technology, engineering, math.