Posts by fadedviper65

@Paul Miller8

I’m planning on attending Stuyvesant High School.😉
So far, I’ve competed in math, computer science, physics, and English. This year, I’m also heading into German, history, geography, and potentially biology and tech.🙂
I was called up for the regional level in computer science, physics, and English. I would have gone for math too, but since it was my first competition of the year, I just couldn't find my focus—especially since it was my first time competing in math.
I’d definitely enter the chemistry competition if I had a mentor, but my teacher isn't interested in leading any extra chemistry sessions. According to school regulations, she's only required to host one extra credit hour, and she decided to dedicate hers to biology.🙄 She claims it would be against the rules for her to teach me chemistry during her biology session, fearing she'd run into serious trouble if an inspector happened to drop by during that specific period.(🤣). Even though she says I'm the best chemistry student she's ever taught, she's adamant about not taking on any extra hours that aren't officially compensated.🙄

Look, I know they don't award points for it. I never actually claimed they did. My point was simply that it's a shame it isn't factored in, especially since Computer Science is a cornerstone of the STEM track at a high-level prep school like ours. I’m planning on enrolling in the specialized CS program, where the subject carries way more weight than biology or chemistry. It's frustrating that CS doesn't count toward the admission score just because it's considered an elective and isn't offered at every high school across the US.

I completely agree that they’ve set the bar way too high when it comes to competition criteria.
It isn't just that athletic competitions or Lidrano don't earn any points; even academic competitions aren't being weighted the way they ought to be. Personally, I was a regional champion in computer science and placed fourth in the national competition, yet I won't receive a single point toward my application for a STEM-focused high school where informatics is just as vital as math and physics. Meanwhile, someone who attended a dance academy will get credit for that specific school. It feels like the folks at the Department of Education have no idea how much grit it takes to achieve those kinds of results, only to walk away with nothing to show for it.