Which high school classes for student planning to major in computer science

[Anonymous]

*not in the area*

DS will be in 9th grade in the fall and is likely to be a computer science major (or something similar) in college. He does not want to be an engineer and is interested in coding, AI (but not robotics), game development and cyber technology. Which classes should be take in high school to make him competitive when applying to colleges? (He is already on the highest math track).

[Anonymous]

It's hard to say without knowing what classes are available.

Any Computer Science classes, obviously.

I'd also emphasize physics, because it gives him a chance to apply math, which is important in CS. Maybe econ since that's a common area to apply CS.

[Anonymous]

What schools does he want to attend? If Ivies, he should take the hardest classes (APs or IB HL) in all 5 core subjects (English, Social Studies, Science, Math and Foreign Lsnguage), and the highest CS classes as well. That might leave less room for electives, but they want to see academic rigor. (1 AP Science - preferably Physics - as a senior is good.) senior year course load should be the highest rigor.

If MIT, definitely the highest in Science and Math, as well as English. My DC had 10 APs but we know kids with 5-6 who got in as well, although that was class of 2021 so the pandemic might have been a factor.

[Anonymous]

Math, science, English. Computer science if it’s offered, but honestly this is better as an extra curricular in some ways. Have him look for local capture the flag competitions, or mess around with game design on his own, or try out hack the box. But the interests you listed really rely on a very firm grounding in mathematics, so sticking with that is important. Both mainstream (calc, linear algebra if he gets the opportunity) and statistics focus are important.

[Anonymous]

No high school classes can prepare a student for CS.

It would help if the student was sure they wanted to do it snd had the aptitude to excel.

CS is highly mathematical thinking - my kid’s curriculum required Calculus 1 & 2. Also he needed 2 sciences and opted for Physics and Chemistry. The rest of his classes are taught and based on logic. There were no pre-requisites. My kid likes and does well at foreign languages, puzzles, following intricate instructions, being patient, ability to concentrate, attention to detail, etc.

[Anonymous]

CS majors generally have to take math through calc 3 and linear algebra, so he should take the hardest math classes he can and do well in them. If math isn't his strongest subject you may as well get a tutor now.

[Anonymous]

My kid will land up taking AP Calc and AP Physics “only” by senior year. Others in his school will have these done by Jjnior year.

Does this put my kid at a significant disadvantage or will the colleges see that my kid is also taking rigorous courses and factor that in the admissions?

Cant believe we are worried about these things but thats how it is..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid will land up taking AP Calc and AP Physics “only” by senior year. Others in his school will have these done by Jjnior year.

Does this put my kid at a significant disadvantage or will the colleges see that my kid is also taking rigorous courses and factor that in the admissions?

Cant believe we are worried about these things but thats how it is..

Should be ok. Hard to advise since we don’t know what other classes your kid has taken

[Anonymous]

OP, here. He doesn’t know what schools he wants to attend. . Glad to hear it’s mathematical thinking and based in logic. He enjoys both. Together, we have looked at the classes his HS offers and thinks he should take (before he graduates):

*AP Calculus (AB and BC)
*AP Computer Science Principles
*AP Computer Science
*AP Physics

And maybe foreign language (2 years) and Application of Finite Mathematics?

(He requested “Exploring Computer Science Principles” as his elective for 9th grade.)

[Anonymous]

kid will be taking ap comsci, ap stats, cad etc classes by junior year. looking at CS major or traditional engg ( mech, industrial)

if it were not for this admissions rat race, I would say he will be getting a great education over the next 4 yrs. But he also wants to get into a t20-30 school

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned statistics

[Anonymous]

op- ur kid is taking the right courses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised no one has mentioned statistics

Agree. My son had to take stats for his CS degree, but because he had AP stats he placed into a higher level course at university. He took AP Comp Sci A, but not AP Comp Sci principles. He also took post AP CS courses.

Might be useful to enter hacking competitions and other CS related ECs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, here. He doesn’t know what schools he wants to attend. . Glad to hear it’s mathematical thinking and based in logic. He enjoys both. Together, we have looked at the classes his HS offers and thinks he should take (before he graduates):

*AP Calculus (AB and BC)
*AP Computer Science Principles
*AP Computer Science
*AP Physics

And maybe foreign language (2 years) and Application of Finite Mathematics?

(He requested “Exploring Computer Science Principles” as his elective for 9th grade.)

Students often go straight to AP Calc BC and AP CS, and skip the easier AP versions of those subjects, which leaves room for other classes such as post AP math and CS, depending on the school. AP physics also comes in different levels of difficulty too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised no one has mentioned statistics

Stats is useful for CS. AP Stats is something different than real stats though. Real stats is a calculus based course. The AP class is often taken instead of calc, which would be a mistake for someone gunning for CS. But it's a fine extra elective if you have room.