My school doesn’t offer CS courses, but I want to pursue CS in the future. I’m currently enrolled in an online APCSA course but I find that much of the work is busywork and a waste of time because I’ve already learned pretty much everything in the course; the only problem is switching from C to Java, which isn’t that hard. This course would show up on my transcript and also boost my GPA, but perhaps I could better allocate my time. I’m sure I wouldn’t have much of an issue doing well on the exam.
Are you self-studying?
or is this an official course you will get credit for?
If the latter, then are you allowed to withdraw from it?
@bopper Yes, I am allowed to withdraw from it. It is an official course I will get credit for, but I don’t really need credit. However, I am only taking four courses at school (APUSH, AP Physics C Mech, Honors English and Honors Spanish 3). I’m taking calc 2 online because our school doesn’t offer it, and took bio over the summer, if that makes a difference. I’m still torn.
So really you are taking 5 courses + AP CSA.
I don’t think it would be a big deal if you dropped AP CSA at this early point in the semester. 5 “core” courses is normal.
I’m also preparing for USACO and self-teaching myself Data Structures from an old college textbook…I’m just mostly worried about colleges not seeing a computer science course on my transcript.
Is AP CS offered at your HS? If not, you can’t take a course not offered.
If you have learned coding on your own, can you include that in your ECs?
Across the counry, these hs level CS classes vary too much to be gold standards.
You’ve been on CC a while now, involved in a lot of threads. I think you’ve seen that rigor in cores and the right variety of ECs (and then the right self presentation in the app, itself, and the right LoRs) are more important.
Are you a junior now? Have you had a chance to self match to what your possible targets do want, done that deeper look?
The kids who have an issue with courses are those who skip the full range of what their targets do recommend. That’s primarily cores, not shorting yourself in those for random electives or just to accumulate some big number of APs, including some less meaningful ones, just for the count. Is your record properly balanced?
Knowing coding languages isn’t a tip, in itself.
@lookingforward Sorry I haven’t seen this, I’ve taken a break from the threads. My courseload is properly balanced, and I’m not missing anything. I don’t take any electives, actually, if CS isn’t counted as one. I’ve decided to carry on with the course.
I’m not sure whether or not colleges want to see an online AP class…it’s in between the real class and the self study. I’m sure I’ll get a 5.
And I’m a sophomore.
@bopper Of course I will include learning coding on my own in ECs. It takes up quite a bit of my time. APCS is offered through an online school which can give credit to students at my school. It also shows up on our transcript and is calculated in our GPA.