AP or CTE? [CTE mechatronics+robotics takes 3 periods, makes it hard to fit physics and CS into schedule]

Applying to College
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Hi! I’m a high school junior at the time of writing this and I am picking classes for my senior year. So my school district offers Career and Techinal Education, classes that offers a specific look into specific fields. I applyed and got offered placement to the Mechatronics and Robotics class, but the kicker is that it takes up 3 class periods, leaving my 4 slots for classes. I should I max/optimize my courseload alongside the CTE, or try and go all AP classes? I hope to major in Engineering (mechanical/electrical), Robotics, computer science (but I know how competative it is but it’s a dream:)).

With CTE:
Mechatronics and Robotics
AP Calculus AB
AP Government (required)
AP Computer Science A
Honors English 12 (required)

Without CTE:
AP Enviornmental
AP Computer Science A
AP Calculus AB
AP Government (required)
AP Psych
Honors Physics 1
Honors English 12 (required)

Any and all advice would be great! My GPA is sitting at a 3.6 as of typing this as my district doesn’t calculate GPA until the start of the new school year, but should have a ~3.9 next year. I’ve only gotten 1 AP (I know I know), but I want to try to get the most of what I can so I application look as best as possible.

Thank You!

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Have you already taken a physics class in high school? What science classes have you taken so far?

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I’ve taken biology, chemistry, and anatomy this year

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But I can take an accelerated course over the summer through my school for Honors Physics 1

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Take the option with Honors Physics

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Can you take CTE replacing AP CSA with AP physics 1 or Honors Physics?
You can’t apply to Engineering without any Physics.
Other than that the CTE option looks better for your interests and to colleges.

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I was just coming here to suggest this! :grin:

Physics is more important for engineering, compared to AP Psych, APES, and AP CS A.

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Thank you! I’ll keep this in mind. Do you think that it would be worth it to Honors Physics over the summer and take AP CSA or should I just take AP Physics during the school year instead (now that I type this out I can understand what you guys meant). My school can’t do self study for APs (not that I know of), and summer accelerated courses only has options for C level and honors, not APs sadly.

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But schedules aren’t finalized so I can still edit it :slight_smile:

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Whatever you do, take some kind of physics in high school, since physics for engineering in college commonly recommends a prerequisite of high school physics (in addition to calculus).

The CTE course in mechatronics and robotics would be useful for helping you determine your interest in the subject and your possible majors (EE, ME, CS), but taking up three class periods that could displace other important courses like physics makes it costly.

Have you taken any CS course before to check how interested you are in the subject?

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I’m taking AP CSP this year and it’s pretty nice but I’m open to taking it out in favor of AP physics.

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Having taken AP CS principles to confirm your interest in CS makes it even more important to prioritize physics over CS in next year’s schedule if you are likely to study any kind of engineering.

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Also, I would not put too much priority onto AP psychology (possible general education credit at some colleges) or AP environmental science (less likely to get useful subject credit) if you will choose EE, ME, or CS as your college major.

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Ok thanks!

I’ll ask my counselor to change out AP CSA for AP Physics. I appreaciate the advice as I’ve been procrastinating about everything so I appreaciate the help deciding my schedule

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