Before I start off, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Kenneth. I am currently a Sophomore taking an honors Geo/Trig math course. I have a passion for computing/coding, and I truly want to get into Stanford.
Alright. So I have a HUGE dilemma.
Over the summer I either have the choice to advance my math class (advancing Math Analysis to take AP Calc) or I can focus my efforts during the summer to pursue coding algorithms and doing research for a possible algorithm Idea. Now, the stipulation with this is that I can’t do both at a time. The pros of pursuing mathematics is that I will have an AP course Junior year, but with the coding algorithm, it looks better for college applications (especially Stanford). So it’s either the 5.0 or the pursuing of coding. I don’t know which one Stanford will like better?
Please Help?
Do you guys think I can do both?
TL;DR Should I take AP math or do research over the summer.
Here’s the two cents of a fellow sophomore taking advanced maths:
Colleges evaluate you based off how you utilize resources available to you.
You’re already in a rigorous, accelerated math track. In my opinion having a 5.0 or another AP is neither as impressive nor so fulfilling as learning content in your area of interest!
Who knows? Maybe your pursuit of increasingly advanced algorithms will lead you deeper into math at a quicker pace. Lots of computer science utilizes calculus!
TL;DR go for it yooo