Urgent Help Needed Reg Junior Year Course Selection

Applying to College
1

Hello,

I’m currently a sophomore interested in pursuing Computer Science in college. These are the courses I’ve selected so far for next (junior) year:

AP U.S. History - yearlong
AP English Language & Composition - yearlong
AP Calculus AB - yearlong
AP Physics 1 - yearlong
Digital Electronics - yearlong

Could you please answer a couple of questions for me?

  1. Now, I’m aware that I currently have only 5 courses listed, but I’m planning to use the extra time to do some other course outside of school related to Computer Science. Although this won’t affect my school GPA, I’m hoping to include the transcript for this outside-course in my application. I was wondering if this sounds like a good idea, or if it would be better to take another AP offered at my school (like Macroeconomics) in junior year, to make it six classes. What would look better in my college application?

  2. Also, I’ve already taken APCSA in sophomore year, and completed the Object Oriented Programming Methodologies in Java course at a community college. So, is there any outside course you would recommend for my intended major beyond this?

Thank you so much. Your advice would mean a lot.

2

Where is your foreign language ? You will need a minimum of 2 years, but many school like to see 4 years.

3

I’ve already met the language requirement.

4

I’d add one more class - 5 classes does not seem like a lot. But not another AP - just take an elective you’re interested in

5

If your highest foreign language level is 3 or lower, it may be helpful at many of the more selective colleges to complete level 4 (or AP level).

6

Thank you for the suggestion. I do plan to take AP Spanish my senior year of high school (I just don’t think I can do it in junior year).

7

Will you be practicing Spanish during junior year (e.g. talking to others who know Spanish, reading Spanish language media)? It may otherwise be difficult to pick up Spanish again after a year off.

8

Oh, that’s a good point. In that case, do you think AP Spanish is manageable with the 4 other APs I’ve selected for junior year?

9

Assuming that AP Spanish is just the next level of Spanish from the one you are completing now, it should be similar in work, but with more advanced material building on what you previously learned (similar to comparing, for example, Spanish 3 to Spanish 2, or AP calculus to precalculus).

10

I agree with others on the break from Spanish – it will be hard to pick back up in senior year. I might just add on the language to simplify your schedule and create continuity.

Even with the 5 classes, you look like you’re in for a busy junior year. Does it make sense to try to do something outside of school, and will you really be able to include that transcript? “Hoping” is not something to hedge bets on. Is it worth the hassle? Maybe an internship makes more sense if you want to do something outside of school related to an intended major.

11

Add AP Spanish and don’t worry about taking courses outside of school. Core courses should be your priority.

12

5 aps does seem like a lot though, especially considering apush and ap lang are very time intensive. it’s important to balance your extracurriculars, sat/college prep, and most importantly your mental health