I’m going to be a senior next year and am thinking of taking a CTE class as part of my senior schedule. I’m not sure whether I should do it or not, as
I would have to get to school at about 6:30am
it would limit the number of AP’s I can take next year (I’m taking 3 this yr so i figure I should take at least 3 next year too)
I would have a lesser chance of having an off period if I still want the rest of my schedule to look competitive
However, I feel that taking a CTE class related to health/medical things could demonstrate my interest in what I want to major in in college (biology or psychology, likely) and perhaps help me get a higher paying part time job in college.
Please give your opinion or list some more pros/cons I haven’t thought of thanks
It really depends on your longer term plans, in my kids school CTE is vocational. Kids with solid 4 yr uni plans take APS or IB. Kids are distracted by the emphasis they hear about these classes IMO. CTE is no substitute for solid AP science, math, core classes if this is how rigour is expressed in your high school.
The AP’s I have taken/am taking are:
U.S. Gov, Chinese, Biology, Statistics, European History, Spanish Language, Calculus AB, and Psychology.
Next year the APs I plan to take are Physics I, Computer Science (maybe), English Literature (maybe), and Chem or Anthropology or Biology at my local CC
English Literature should be almost a definite. It’s one of the most important core classes and AP Lit is one of the most taken AP tests. AP Lit should be taking. Which ones are you considering with replacing with a CTE course?
I was thinking that if I take a CTE course, I’d also take AP Physics I and just one other AP in addition to the CC class.
The thing about AP Literature is that I’m not great at writing and for me, it’s not a requirement next year b/c I had 2 English classes in 9th grade so have enough English credits already.
I’m not familiar with CTE. Is that a specific vocational program? What class would you be taking? If it is part of a vocational certificate would just one CTE class really show passion or provide enough by itself to be useful at a job? It sounds like it could be a fun elective class for you.
My daughter who does early college was told that even though she could easily fulfill English for junior and senior year by taking English both semesters her junior year that colleges still like seeing that the student takes English (and math) in their senior year. I would double check with your guidance counselor that colleges are okay with no English senior year even though you doubled up Freshman year.
Do you need a study hall? If so if CTE takes that away and it will hurt your academics then take the off period instead. Study hall is rare here for college bound students now. They used to offer ap study (no credit just a study hall filled with smart students I guess) but found that kids didn’t actually use it to study and eliminated it instead encouraging honors/ap students to take a fun honors or ap elective such as a business class, mock trial, advanced choir, ap studio art etc.
yea CTE courses are vocational courses. If I took one it’d be either Pharmacy technician, Medical Assisting, or Medical Science/Health Careers. I believe Pharmacy Technician students can get certified at the end of the year, and students of the latter 2 programs may be eligible for internships at clinics//hospitals in the second semester, though it’s not guaranteed. I’m not sure how it would interfere with study hall; I’ll have to ask people who are taking one this year.
For the pharmacy technician they may be talking about the national certification exam to become a CPht. www.ptcb.org has more info. The exam is about $130 and would not be taken as part of the class itself… Most likely they are saying that you will have the knowledge to take the exam at the end of the year. Many pharmacies require techs to become certified after so long so it is good if you want to go into pharmacy or work in a pharmacy to help pay for school. It does require taking continuing ed tests and renewing every two years to stay certified. Pay rates vary but you could go to a local pharmacy and talk to a pharmacy manager and ask what a starting pay would be if you start out being certified. If your school is talking about any other certificate for pharmacy technicians I would ask a local pharmacy to see if that is recognized.
CTE classes that end in certification can get you a job right out of high school, and if you are headed to college will give you a skill set that will mean you can get a better paying job than most typical part-time student jobs. This can give you a lot more options. My only concern would be the earlier start time every day. Many high school age folks don’t do well at that hour!
@bopper - Where I used to live, it was pretty common for pre-med students to get CNA certificates in high school or immediately afterward. The large regional hospital in town is a major employer, the kids have an immedicate job skill, and keep working there while studying at the big public U in town. They get paid a decent hourly wage with a reasonably flexible part-time schedule while collecting all of those medical experience hours required for the med school apps.
thanks