PHS global

[Anonymous]

Hi, for phs global program,there are 3 pathways, any insights/experience in each of he category?which one would be good fo challenging pathway?

[Anonymous]

kid should pick whichever is most interesting to them

[Anonymous]

Yes it is kids choice but getting others experience for guidance/idea

[Anonymous]

What did your child pick and are they happy? How difficult are the PLTW classes?

[Anonymous]

Track selection is really not a big deal. Just pick the one of most interest to the student.

My recollection is that PLTW requires 5 semester electives. Not sure when they start, maybe sophomore year? Have to do your research on that. Have to like engineering to do that track.

If choose internship or AP Research, both classes happen during senior year (but course selection junior year). Main difference is internship track takes one semester class (Research B) during fall senior year to analyze data from summer internship. AP Research is a full year class, going through full research process. AP Research is also a complement to the AP Seminar class taken during freshman year. If take AP exams for both, get some title called AP Capstone (if of interest). But for my DC, figured out that the colleges of interest don't accept credit for those AP exams, so didn't bother.

DC chose internship track, but by process of elimination. Not wanted PLTW and not wanted AP Research, mostly because there were so many other electives that were far more interesting, so didn't want to "waste" elective options on the track requirements.

The only caveat I offer for internship track is that searching for an internship during junior year was a real bear. Learning to put together a resume and cover letters for the first time and then identify who/where you want to work -- all of that was a lot on top of the junior year courseload. My impression was that Global did provide some support in the job hunt, but I had the impression that SMCS had more rigorous support through a class built into their curriculum (Research A). However, the upside compared to SMCS is that the summer internship did NOT have to be original scientific research or anything like that. The Global research had more latitude for what would be acceptable as a summer internship.

Lastly, please don't fret over things like this. PHS really is a nice school - DC has loved it immensely. When your student begins school, your student should meet some of the older students and ask their perspectives on tracks, requirements, classes, good or bad teachers, electives, etc. DC's friends are in all the different tracks and have really tailored each of their experiences to their own interests, whether leaning towards SMCS or Humanities or Global. It's all possible.

[Anonymous]

Thank you,it is really helpful,appreciate your time taking to post it