For context, I am a rising senior and have not taken astronomy or coding classes before. I would like to major in astrophysics.
So recently I got admitted to UCI’s COSMOS program, and am super stoked to be attending. I am also looking into local volunteer programs to help kids learn about science during June, that helps with a personal theme of mine. However, I have a few dilemmas about college classes I should be taking over the summer.
I have taken Spanish 2 (native speaker, taking ap exam this year) and French 1 at my high school, but no language my junior year. Thus, I’ll be doing a fast paced course of French 1 and 2 this summer to be qualified for UC applications. I’m pretty sure I will be able to handle this, a volunteering project, and COSMOS, as I already have some background knowledge in French. However, I am also interested in some coding and astronomy classes at my local community college.
Astronomy has two classes that would either be a summer or a semester long, and coding has two classes that would also either be a summer or a semester long. Each class would be 3-5 hours a week over a semester, but 8-11 hours a week over the summer. Should I save these classes for my senior year, or get a head start over the summer? Is UCI COSMOS too busy for more of the community college classes?
COSMOS will keep you busy all day, every day for the month of the program. You won’t have time to do a dual enrollment class while you are there. That’s ok! COSMOS is great, congrats on being admitted. Enjoy the experience and meet lots of new people there!
A good/passing score on the AP Spanish exam fulfills the UC Requirement so as long as you’re confident you can get a 3 or 4 on that test you don’t need to take the summer language classes, for which you wouldn’t have time anyway.
The OP is a Spanish native speaker. Everything I have seen about college admissions is that colleges want to see a different language other than what is spoken at home.
Yes, generally speaking, but UCs (what the OP is worried about) are fine with the AP score… and anyway OP can’t do both COSMOS and summer intensive language so alas has no other solution.
Op may be able to take Fr2 senior year to confirm they’re able to learn another language.
Also, the class starts in early June and goes through July. Do college classes tend to have work you can do in advance, so I dont have as much to do during COSMOS?
Exams and coursework that satisfy E
" AP or IB Examination
Score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP exam in Chinese Language and Culture, French Language and Culture, German Language and Culture, Italian Language and Culture, Japanese Language and Culture, Spanish Language, Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature and Culture or Latin; score of 5, 6 or 7 on an IB HL language B exam.
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The problem is that hw will build on what you’ve been doing in class so you won’t be able to prepare ahead of time. You’ll cover HS Level 1 in roughly 2 weeks - expect 3H of work each day -and then you’ll move into unknown territory. College FL 1 typically cover HS FL 1&2; College FL 2 typically covers HSFL 3.
Every teacher can do things differently. If you know who the teacher will be you can email them to ask. My daughter has taken an online asynchronous class where you could work ahead if you were diligent about it. The teacher would release a few weeks at a time and I think students might ask them to release assignments early. No guarantee what your class will be like.
D24, the summer after her junior year, took 2 college classes, 1 senior year required high school class, two weeks of residential programs, and some short term theater projects.
I thought it was too much, but she had reasons for why she wanted to do all these things.
In terms of managing things, getting all her schoolwork done while in a residential program at a college was very difficult. Some professors do things like assign homework on Monday, due Friday at noon. The exam might not be open online until Wednesday and you only have a certain smallish time frame to finish it. Some have multiple hours of pre-recorded lectures that you have to watch.
There is something quite amazing about being able to delve into a residential experience and just go all in on it. Having to juggle 5 balls at the same time changes things significantly.
Long story short, D24 got her only B of the year that summer and wished she had only done one week of a residential program. She doesn’t regret it overall, because there really were good reasons for all the things she did.
If you are able to focus only on COSMOS, you will get so much more from the experience. Perhaps contact a UC directly for clarification on the FL situation (email so you have something to show your counselor), then circle back around with your counselor as well after you talk to a UC to make sure everyone is on the same page. Sometimes on paper minimums and the expected minimums for successful applicants are different.
@NoNameAstro how was COSMOS? I hope it was great! Can you give a little rundown of the experience, and what the schedule was like for future applicants? Did you end up trying to do any other classes at the same time, or did you focus on 100% COSMOS?
I loved it!! It’s very nice to have classes where even the hardest clusters had very little homework to do in the dorms. We usually had to be ready for class at about 8:30-45 and had a LOT of free time after 3:30-4, so I comfortably did my french college class of about 5 units and had tons of time to go and do the extracurricular activities! The weekends aren’t busy either, and the hiking field trip was optional this year. I made sooo many friends and had such a blast!! Definitely something you can get alot out of though, I’m currently continuing research our group did together and hoping to publish best of luck applying!
best of luck applying!