So I am taking AP Computer Science A this year and I was thinking about taking AP Computer Science Principles next year.
I wanted to take it because I wanted to take four years of coding experience, the GPA boost, and the sake of taking another AP. However, I want a free period (which I do not have because I am taking the class.) What should I do?
AP CS principles is more of an overview of CS and how it relates to everything else. It could be useful in terms of that type of knowledge gained, but probably less so as “coding experience”.
http://cs10.org is a college course on which AP CS principles was modeled.
You should find a community college class(es) or maybe online classes to get your coding fix in. If you’ve already taken APCSA, taking P seems like an unnecessary backwards step.
So you’re telling us the choice is “the GPA boost, and the sake of taking another AP” versus a study period?
In DD’s HS, AP CSP is a prerequisite to AP CSA. So as valuable as I think AP CSP is (some on these boards disagree), I completely agree that it is a step backward after AP CSA, and colleges will recognize that. Just take the free period you seem to desire, or look into taking a CS DE class at a local college.
CS DE would be the best option if you can manage to pursue such a thing, but if not, I wouldn’t say CSP is a bad option. I see a lot of people here saying CSP is a step backwards from CSA, and while this is true in terms of the programming portion of CSP, there is a fair amount of material in CSP that isn’t present in the CSA curriculum. Even the college board deems CSP and CSA to be complementary courses; neither is a prerequisite of the other. As someone who has taken CSP after CSA, I would say go for it if you can’t find a dual enrollment option.
Edit: Also, I don’t think colleges see this as a step backwards either. (Attending a T20 school in the fall)
hey @zbrown01 - did you make into Harvard? Just curious.
@PhysicsIsNotPhun DE Data Structures.
CSP is a very good intro course to the fundamentals of technology in today’s world. It’s not a coding class. If you’re truly looking for a coding class after AP CS A, you should look elsewhere.
But if you want a good understanding of technology principles, internet mechanics, cybersecurity, etc., it’s a good course. And after CS A, it should be relatively easy.
At the CC very close to my house, the following CS classes offered would all be useful for someone like you - Java (beginning and advanced), C++ (beginning and advanced), Python (beginning and advanced), Data Structures, Linux Shell scripting (beginning and advanced), Matlab (meh). I’m guessing most community colleges offer similar classes. Increasingly, CS majors are expected to already know one or more programming languages thoroughly coming in.