Senior Year Course Choices for Engineering: IB Film Studies?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the course choices for a high school senior applying to engineering schools, specifically the inclusion of IB Film Studies in an otherwise STEM-focused schedule. Participants explore the implications of the selected courses on college applications and the perception of the schedule by admissions committees.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that their schedule may not adequately reflect an engineering focus, noting the limited STEM courses and the inclusion of IB Film Studies.
  • Another participant questions the perception of the schedule, asking if the original poster is pursuing an IB diploma or certificate, suggesting that the schedule is acceptable regardless.
  • A third participant reassures that the schedule is typical for a high school student and emphasizes that current coursework does not fully represent the depth of physics or computer science needed for engineering.
  • The original poster seeks reassurance from others about their course choices and confirms they are a diploma candidate.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the schedule adequately prepares the original poster for engineering school applications. Some express reassurance about the schedule, while others imply it may not strongly reflect an engineering focus.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the impact of including non-STEM courses like IB Film Studies on college applications, and the discussion does not resolve whether the current course selection is optimal for engineering aspirations.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students considering engineering programs, particularly those navigating IB course selections and seeking advice on balancing STEM and non-STEM subjects.

green_eyes
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Hey, I'm going into my senior year of high school and am applying to some prestigious engineering schools namely berkeley =/ and am concerned about my senior year schedule. it is as follows:

IB English II
IB Spanish 6
IB European History II
IB Physics II
TOK/ ? (Maybe law or some history class)
AP Computer Science
IB Film Studies (?)

I can't take MV calc because it conflicts with Spanish which is an IB requirement, but i am taking the equivalent at Montgomery College (local community college). I don't want to take some especially hard class because i think it would be overkill but the above schedule doesn't look like one of an engineering major... all there is is physics and comp sci..
 
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What about that would look weak? Are you going for an IB diploma (in which case TOK is required, unless things have changed a lot) or the certificate route?

Looks like a fine schedule to me.
 
That schedule doesn't look like that of an engineer. It looks like that of a high-school student, which is what you are.

Don't sweat it. What you're taking now barely scratches the surface of physics or computer science anyway, so it doesn't matter.
 
thanks. I'm going to finalize with my counselor today and i just needed reassurance that i wasn't doing anything stupid.
yeah, I am a diploma candidate
 

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