<p>My S has a couple of questions if there are any Stanford CS students (or knowledgeable others) reading and posting. Given a year of programming at the community college (all Java) followed by a year of advanced placement CS (the AB course), what class or classes in 12th grade will best prepare a student for a top-level CS program like Stanford's?</p>
<p>As a second question, what is the best next language to learn after Java?</p>
<p>The four mainstream CS freshman year classes are 106A, 106B, 106X and 107. the first two are intro... 106A is taught in Java, 106B is taught in C++. A 4 or 5 on the AB test places one out of 106A. 106X is an accelerated version of 106A and B, taught in C++. Therefore, C++ would be a good language to start learning (gotta get started on that, I want to take 106B or X next fall). 107 is taught in Java, which an aquaintance of mine took first quarter because she's a really advanced programmer... but I think most take it after a 106 class. (she really struggled in it, too). At my school, the kids who take AP CS junior year often TA the next year, just for the sake of programming exposure. There really aren't any official classes to recommend... but doing his own projects would be an awesome way to show experience and dedication to the subject. Good luck to him. :-)</p>
<p>If you are experienced already, take CS 106X. </p>
<p>P.S. I am starting a company with a group of my friends and we are recruiting computer programmers. Would anyone be interested in coding search algorithms? You'll get shares in company stock, which may or may not be worth a lot later on :)
That depends on whether we're the next booming Google or a bust Excite.</p>
<p>Thank you both! And Rooster08, I'll pass on the opportunity to my son if that's OK?</p>
<p>Does anyone else have suggestions for making the freshman year more manageable in a top CS program?</p>