Hey guys, currently I am a sophomore in a highly competitive high school and I am extremely interested in computer science. As you might know from my other posts, unfortunately, my tight schedule won’t allow me to take every AP class I would like to. One particular such class is AP statistics which I think would be quite useful to me if I major in computer science. This is why I was wondering what the best use of my time would be during the summers. On one hand, I could take some of my classes over the summer(and thus fit in a course like AP statistics into my schedule) or I could try and get an internship or do some other summer program related to computer science. If I were to do an internship/summer program, I could try and self-study AP stat in my junior year, but the only thing is that at least from what I have heard/read, self-studying APs does not really look as good as actually taking the class in school. However, I have also heard that the reason it might not look as good is because many students randomly self-study APs that are not really of any relevance to their major. However, given that the reason I am planning on self-studying is that I would not be able to fit it into my schedule by normal means and that I do think this would help me in the future, would this change the opinion of colleges on self-studying in this case? What is your opinion on this?
Just for further reference, I plan to have taken the following APs throughout high school:
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles(because I have to; read my other thread for more information)
AP Physics 1, 2 and maybe C
AP Calc BC(Multivariable later on but that’s not an AP)
APUSH
AP Lang(Maybe Lit but probably not)
AP Macro and Micro(self-study; I like finance quite a lot and want to keep it as a backup option for a major)
My opinion is that you’re worrying too much. If you want to self-study AP stats, do it because you’re interested in doing it and not to impress colleges. I don’t think what you do during your summer will matter, whether you’re taking classes or doing an internship, because it’ll show that you were productive either way. The rest of high school won’t be enjoyable if you keep worrying so much about what colleges will think.
@ahardboiledegg I 100% agree with what you are saying and that is one of the primary reasons I even thought of self-studying. However, as you may have seen, the number of APs I am taking are really not that high especially compared to those applying to top colleges. Although I do know that more APs does not mean better application, I just don’t want colleges to think I didn’t use my time effectively/ I didn’t take hard courses.
Actually, discrete mathematics and calculus are probably more useful to a CS applicant than AP Statistics. As for summer, go for the internship or volunteer in a CS or tech capacity. I wouldn’t bother self-studying for the AP.
Best way to spends summers is doing something productive.
That can mean:
Getting a job
Babysitting your siblings
Going to an academic camp
Taking a course
Honestly I would recommend getting a job.
You learn work place skills in a low risk environment. If you have to learn that on time really means on time, better to learn it at McDonald’s rather than in your first career job
You make money and learn the value of it
You may learn teamwork leadership skills if you keep working at the same place
You may find a place to keep working even in college
You find out about what you do and don’t like in your jobs
Doing something that interest you. My son did chess camp, accelerated pre Calc for his school. Some engineering programs. Started his own very small business. He took a 3 week stats course for AP. It covered the entire year. He is in engineering now and started engineering stats… So far every easy since it’s like the same material.
But also have fun… Go out with friends… Get a job bagging groceries, cut lawns, if you must some small companies look for people to database stuff for their company and they want cheap help doing it.
Also if you can take multivariate Calc do it. It is above the AP rank… BTW… You don’t need that many AP. See what your avg for your school is. More important is to keep your GPA up. Tons of AP with a lower grade point isn’t good either.