Potomac for STEM

[Anonymous]

How was Potomac for your STEM-focused student who graduated, but did NOT get into their special STEM HS program ?
What are Potomac’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential pitfalls for a STEM-focused student ?

Thanks !

[Anonymous]

My student didn't apply to SERC, but went on to major in science.

Pro: There are opportunities to take lots of science courses. Junior year my student doubled up on science and senior year took 5 semesters of science. Organic Chemistry in high school was very helpful when they encountered it in college

Weakness: The advanced and honors courses are difficult. Getting an A is tough. There will be lots of kids who get a 5 on AP science exams who don't get As in the class.

Consideration: Not doing SERC also opens up a nice series of computer science courses.

Pitfall: SERC students have access to the best teachers for their core science classes, while the non-SERC Honors students have some of the lesser regarded science faculty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My student didn't apply to SERC, but went on to major in science.

Pro: There are opportunities to take lots of science courses. Junior year my student doubled up on science and senior year took 5 semesters of science. Organic Chemistry in high school was very helpful when they encountered it in college

Weakness: The advanced and honors courses are difficult. Getting an A is tough. There will be lots of kids who get a 5 on AP science exams who don't get As in the class.

Consideration: Not doing SERC also opens up a nice series of computer science courses.

Pitfall: SERC students have access to the best teachers for their core science classes, while the non-SERC Honors students have some of the lesser regarded science faculty.

Very helpful. thank you so much…

[Anonymous]

I’ll add that I’m a Potomac grad and didn’t do SERC but did take a lot of science. I went to a top liberal arts college and took a few science classes as I had found them interesting at Potomac. Well it turned out I was overly prepared in them from Potomac, and they were easy A’s whereas I had not received As in them at Potomac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My student didn't apply to SERC, but went on to major in science.

Pro: There are opportunities to take lots of science courses. Junior year my student doubled up on science and senior year took 5 semesters of science. Organic Chemistry in high school was very helpful when they encountered it in college

Weakness: The advanced and honors courses are difficult. Getting an A is tough. There will be lots of kids who get a 5 on AP science exams who don't get As in the class.

Consideration: Not doing SERC also opens up a nice series of computer science courses.

Pitfall: SERC students have access to the best teachers for their core science classes, while the non-SERC Honors students have some of the lesser regarded science faculty.

Agree with all of this-Orgo in particular is a bonus offering for a high school student. Neither of my kids did SERC but went on to STEM majors in elite colleges and are doing well.