Questions Regarding Stanford’s EPGY (Online)

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>Disclaimer: This post is long and pretty detailed, but your help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>I am currently a Junior. I am currently interested in the STEM subjects, and plan on majoring in engineering. I’m not sure exactly what type, but Civil, Enviro, Mech, BM, Chem, and Aero engineering seem the most interesting. (so many, I know) I am a pretty good student (top 5% at a decent CA public school). I am currently enrolled in AP Calc AB, AP Physics B, and AP Chem. I have A’s in all 3 of them, but my Physics grade is the lowest and I have to put in the most effort for that class. No SATI, SATII, etc. scores yet. I am aiming for schools like Northwestern, JHU, USC, UCB, UCLA but I am also applying to a few Ivy-caliber schools like Stanford, Columbia, Cornell, etc.</p>

<p>I am looking for ways to occupy my summer. My EC’s are really weak, with none in the STEM arena. I am planning on applying to summer programs/internships to gain some experience in this area. I was also considering doing Stanford’s EPGY online, either in addition to another program or as a back up (if I don’t get into any programs). I am just unsure whether or not this is a good option because it is 1) expensive and 2) time consuming. CC, I turn to you for advice and answers.</p>

<p>Courses I am considering:
C11A Introduction to C Programming (Variable-Term, 1 Quarter, $495)
M152 Number Theory (Fixed Term, 2 Quarters, $555)
M157 Introduction to Logic (Fixed Term, 2 Quarters, $740)</p>

<p>I have no prior experience in these subjects, but they seemed interesting and like the most reasonable. (C11A has no pre req’s, and M152 & M157 just require Pre Calc.)</p>

<p>Which course would be best for me? Honestly, all 3 sound interesting, but I’m not sure which would be the most useful. Any input would be helpful.</p>

<p>How would I report an EPGY course on my application? I can speak to my counselor, but I’m pretty sure my school won’t put it on my HS transcript. Would I send an official transcript from Stanford separately? Would I self-report (and in which section/how)?</p>

<p>How beneficial would taking one of these courses be? I don’t want to spend valuable time and money on one if it isn’t worth. I realize I shouldn’t take it just to pad my application (which is not the main reason I am considering it), but it’s still a consequence.</p>

<p>How much time and effort would you estimate these courses would take? I plan on completing them over the summer before my senior year. Would this be reasonable?</p>

<p>Would this be worth the price? </p>

<p>If you have experience with this program, how did you like it? Would you recommend it to others? How difficult was it?</p>

<p>Those are my main questions, but any input would be awesome. Thanks so much, CC. :)</p>

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<p>Bump10char.</p>

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<p>Bump10char.</p>

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<p>Bump10char.</p>

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<p>1) EPGY’s been discussed before; have you looked through those old threads?</p>

<p>2) If you have a local university that will do dual enrollment, that might be a less expensive (or better suited to your learning style) way to go. Or not, but it’s worth considering.</p>

<p>3) Stanford will give you a transcript. Self-report as any other class, and send in the EPGY transcript as if it were another high school.</p>

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<p>I honestly thought EPGY was the most boring class ever. Then again, I was in 4th grade taking pre-algebra. I was extremely happy when I was done, but I have to admit, it did prepare me for algebra.</p>

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<p>Agree with allyphoe. Stanford’s classes are good but expensive. You basically are given lectures to listen to and have assigned problems. When you reach a certain point in the class, you write a test. </p>

<p>It’s an okay program but probably not the best way to spend your summer. I’d focus on internships and competitions more so if I were you.</p>

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<p>@allyphoe:

  1. Yes! I have read through most of the old threads, but haven’t found most of the information I’m looking for. Also, the vast majority of threads were about taking MV Calculus during the school year, while I am considering different courses during the summer.</p>

<p>2) I wouldn’t have time to dual enroll during the school year (I believe my school does allow dual enrollment with our local CC’s, though). I may considering taking a class at a CC over the summer, but it may not be as feasible because it isn’t as convenient as an online course. (have to worry about transportation, rigid schedule which may not work with a summer program, etc.) Still something I am considering. If I don’t get into a summer program, I will probably go with this option.</p>

<p>3) This is good to know. Thank you so much for the advice/insight!</p>

<p>@EveningSwan:
An online class may be a bit boring. I’ll definitely take that if not consideration, thank you. I wish I could speak to someone who has taken one (or more than one) of the course so I could get some feedback on how interesting they are.</p>

<p>@ecouter11:
Yes, the cost is definitely a major drawback. I am definitely focusing on summer programs, internships, etc. but was just considering this in addition to one of those, or as a fallback. Thank you for the help!</p>

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<p>Have you been accepted? (I was rejected after being invited to apply. Yeah. Ouch.) I was planning on doing it had I got accepted.</p>

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<p>@1Rachel94:
Nope, I have not applied yet. Sorry about that; that is unfortunate. :frowning: I’m not familiar with how difficult it is to get admitted. Anybody know?</p>

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<p>LOL! My daughter took EPGY elementary math the summer after first grade, in preparation for skipping second. “A boring man saying blah-blah-blah,” was her review of it. I don’t know that the elementary-level classes are similar enough in nature to the university-level classes to presume that the latter would be equally boring, though.</p>

<p>CTD’s Gifted Learning Links has a self-paced Linear Algebra class, but it requires Calc BC as a prereq. They’ve also got a self-paced C++ class with no prereq beyond Algebra. Your instructor will vary, but I was quite happy with the English class my daughter took through them, and she enjoyed it, too. They’ll run you $900 each, though.</p>

<p>What about AOPS classes? [AoPS</a> School Class List](<a href=“http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/classlist.php]AoPS”>http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/classlist.php) They’re cheap ($200-300) and hugely rigorous. “Most of our students do not take our courses for grades, but we can assign grades with formal documentation if needed” makes it sound like they’d provide a transcript suitable for sending to colleges. The scheduling may not be ideal, and I’ll say again that they’re hugely rigorous. (AOPS Algebra is not an uncommon course to be taken by mathematically gifted homeschooled kids - after they’ve already completed Algebra I and sometimes II using some other curriculum.) They’ve got good diagnostic tests for each class, and the textbooks have generous excerpts, so you can get a feel for which class would be a good fit for you.</p>