Ok. So I wanted to get into Stanford, if not, CAL Poly SLO. I want to have a Computer Science major.
I took Algebra II and Chemistry over the summer. So this allowed me to take more advanced classes.
For my junior and senior year, I’m able to take 5 periods. However, there is this program called “AP Capstone” and it deal with researching given subjects and presenting your research. This is a two year program. I’m a bit apprehensive on taking this class because from what I hear, it is a rigorous class and because of it’s obscurity as a new program, I fear this would ultimately be a waste of my time because the colleges don’t know too much about it. Basically, I would not be taking this class if I don’t need to.
How much would I be affected if I only take 5 periods for my next two years? I will be taking 4 AP’s my Junior year and 5 AP’s my Senior year. I am taking 3 AP’s currently.
Since I’m going to be in the STEM field, do I need to take 4 years of Spanish or can I stop at the second year? What class could replace that?
So next year I’m doing AP Capstone, too (as a sophomore). And every college will know about it. Since it’s an AP Program through the college board, they will totally know it. However, if you don’t take it, that’s totally fine. I’m actually FORCED to take it, even though I don’t want to (If I didn’t take it I would be put in the lower track).
So for Stanford you will want to take Spanish 3, and you should probably take spanish 4, too. It doesn’t matter what field you’re going into, foreign language is considered a core class by colleges like stanford. However, if you think Stanford is a bit unrealistic anyway, Spanish 2 would be fine for an easy state college, and 3 would be fine for an upper level state college.
So basically, I would suggest not taking AP Capstone next year unless you’re interested in it, and you really should take spanish if you want to get into Stanford.
I’m a little bit confused though, you’re saying you’re taking 5 periods, but do you mean that you COULD take more, but you’re not going to. Honestly, if you could take more, I would go for it.
Thanks for replying! I could take more classes actually. I can take AP Chem, but that’s the only AP class left. I don’t want to take any Prep class as I feel that not only would it be a waste of time, it would lower my overall GPA. However, I’m taking AP Physics, AP Calc BC, and APUSH next year and I feel that taking AP Chem with it would be too much for me :/. (P.S. Do you know difficult it is to get into Cal Poly SLO in the Engineering department?)