<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>My school has something called a "shop" period...you pick a vocational career and stick with it for four years. So, for the past three years, I have been in Computer Science and have done fine (A or A+ each year). </p>
<p>Senior year, however, you have the option of three things: </p>
<p>A.) Computer Science
B.) AP Computer Science
C. ) Work Study (Paid Computer Science-related job)</p>
<p>Of course, I chose AP Computer Science...but I'm having a bit of difficulty in the class now. I got an 87 the first marking period, but am doing much worse this marking period.</p>
<p>I really want nothing to do with Computer Science in college and know that the class will help me very little, if not at all, in the future. </p>
<p>I cannot transfer into regular Computer Science (will interfere with my other AP classes) but can substitute the class with a work study job.</p>
<p>I want to major in Political Science and minor in Communications or Journalism. I am currently in AP History and AP English and wrote all of my college essays and political and societal issues.</p>
<p>My question is...will dropping AP Computer Science affect my chances for getting into the University of Pennsylvania?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Also…if I drop the class, it will be changed to “School to Careers/Work Study” on my transcript. The first marking period (which was already sent on my transcript to Penn) will show AP Computer Science, but the mid-year report will say School to Careers.</p>
<p>If it shows you dropped it. DO NOT.
By the way, WHY WOULD YOU GO POLITICAL. DON’T DO THAT IN COLLEGE ESSAYS. What if the adcom disagrees with your positions!?</p>
<p>I didn’t actually talk about political stances…I talked more about societal problem (racism) and the media’s significance…I just posted that to show that my interests are not in Computer Science/math/science</p>
<p>how can they change it to work/study when you didn’t do that? If you took AP comp sci. and you switch RIGHT NOW, they can change that? Dang. If your computer science track has built you up to AP comp sci, and it shows you didn’t take it, and your school reports that they offer it, your in troub troub.</p>
<p>No…it will keep the B from Computer Science in MP1 and make MP2 Work Study</p>
<p>FYI Computer Science for the first 3 years was basic, less math-related topics (HTML/CSS/Photoshop/Flash)…nothing to do with programming like this year</p>
<p>please don’t tell me you cited news stations such as FOX NEWS, CNN, or MSNBC in certain contexts. Say ing the media is biased or racist will not be good for you. Even racism, being a sensitive subject should be debated, not used for an essay. Complaining about racism will not look good. Even though your intentions are good.</p>
<p>I didn’t do that…but that’s not the point of this thread. Where I stand now is that I’m not doing well in Computer Science, I am doing very well in my AP History/English classes, and have no intention of doing anything Computer Science/math-related in college (I like Political Science/writing). Computer Science is technically not an academic course either, so I wanted to know if this will affect my chances.</p>
<p>In that case, DEFINATELY DO NOT DROP AP COMP SCI. You’ll totally look like a quitter. Also, Another B 2nd semester will not kill you if you get accepted!</p>
<p>Trust me metphant, I’m taking 7 APs, most of which I hate. I’m going into laparoscopic surgery LOL. Just perservere man!</p>
<p>AP English Lit: A
AP Calc BC:A
AP Microecon: A-
AP Macroecon: A-
AP Gov. and pol. :A-
AP Psych:A+
AP Stat:A-
Dual Enrollment Bio:A</p>
<p>I understand that…and I’m happy you’ve done so well. But Computer Science is obviously not my strong point and I will most likely be receiving a C. It’s not a “real” academic class, so I wasn’t sure if it would hurt me or not.</p>
<p>Well dude, it’s either your comp sci teacher is a d****e, or you aren’t smart enough for UPenn (I’m sure you are). You need to focus ALL your time into your studies. NO LIFE like me man!</p>
<p>I’m not really a computer guy, but I should recommend you take Comp Sci part II online via FLVS. I take all my classes online, and they are so easy because you can work at your own pace and take the test when you’re ready, but you must sign up like right now! PS, if your pace is terrible like mine, you’re screwed. I’m still in semester 1 with only 80% completion on most classes.</p>
<p>My teacher is fine, just very fast-paced.</p>
<p>I don’t understand how you could say I’m not smart enough for Penn because I’m not great at Computer Science…I’ve done well in all of my academic classes that will actually matter in college…that statement is completely illogical.</p>
<p>But I take it that you think I’m in a no-win situation here…I appreciate the honest opinion…hopefully it’s wrong!</p>
<p>No, I’m saying you ARE smart enough for UPenn! I’m just saying a C isn’t good, so there must be a reason you’re not doing well. You either blame the teacher, or yourself. If you blame yourself, you have to ask yourself, are you good enough for UPenn. I think you are, but you need to probably work harder than the hard you already do! Sorry if I offended you.</p>
<p>You completely are in a Win situation. You can score high on the upcoming SAT, and you can get an A next semseter. Case closed.</p>
<p>No wasn’t offended at all…just saying that I can’t blame my teacher. I could possibly pay another student to tutor me, but I truly don’t see the point in it since I will never use CS after high school. Maybe you’re right…maybe it will be worth it…but would stink that I’d spend my paychecks on learning something I have no desire to pursue in the future</p>
<p>Guess that’s a decision I’d have to make…</p>
<p>What is your **guidance counselor **telling you? Please remember that anyone’s chances at Penn are extremely low, acceptance rate of 12%. So I really doubt that it will make a difference either way. 
Were you stuck on this CS track even after you decided you had no interest in it?</p>
<p>You mean even before I knew I had no interest in it? If so, then yes.</p>
<p>And I am aware of Penn’s low admittance rate. Yes, my chances may not be extremely high even WITH Computer Science AP, but I wanted to know if dropping the class would HURT my chances. I thought it might have minimal affect since it’s not a true academic class and clearly not something I want to pursue but was unsure.</p>