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Complete Semester-by-Semester Checklist for UC Berkeley CS Pathway

This detailed breakdown covers academic courses, extracurricular activities, summer programs, and college prep to ensure TM builds a strong application for UC Berkeley CS.


📌 9th Grade (2025-2026) – Foundation Year

✅ Main Focus: Math Acceleration, Jazz Band, First Hackathons

📅 Fall 2025 Semester

✅ Courses:

  • English 9
  • Biology
  • Algebra 1
  • World Geography (1 semester)
  • World Language (Spanish/French/Korean/Chinese I or II)
  • Jazz Band (7th class – Fine Art Requirement)
  • PE 9

📅 Spring 2026 Semester

  • Health (1 semester, replaces World Geography)
  • Other courses continue from Fall

📅 Summer 2026 (After 9th Grade)

  • Take Geometry (DVC, BYU, UC Scout) to accelerate math
  • Continue USACO Bronze Level (Goal: Reach Silver)
  • Build small AI or ML project (Kaggle, TensorFlow, etc.)
  • Contribute to open-source CS projects on GitHub

📌 10th Grade (2026-2027) – Strengthening STEM While Keeping Jazz

📅 Fall 2026 Semester

  • English 10
  • Chemistry
  • Algebra 2
  • World History
  • World Language (Level II or III)
  • AP Computer Science Principles
  • Jazz Band (7th class)

📅 Spring 2027 Semester

  • All courses continue from Fall

📅 Summer 2027 (After 10th Grade)

  • Take Precalculus (Online/Community College) if ready
  • Attend Stanford AI4ALL or Berkeley CS Scholars (if accepted)
  • Work on AI/ML research project or internship
  • Apply to Google Code-In & hackathons

📌 11th Grade (2027-2028) – AP Heavy & Leadership Year

📅 Fall 2027 Semester

  • AP English Language
  • AP Physics 1
  • Precalculus OR Honors Precalculus
  • U.S. History
  • AP Computer Science A
  • Cybersecurity OR Engineering Design (PLTW)

📅 Spring 2028 Semester

  • All courses continue from Fall

📅 Summer 2028 (After 11th Grade)

  • Attend MIT RSI or Google CSSI if accepted
  • Apply for CodePath High School Internship
  • Continue USACO Gold Level (Aim for Platinum)
  • Submit final hackathon projects & research papers

📌 12th Grade (2028-2029) – Final Year for UC Berkeley Application

📅 Fall 2028 Semester

✅ Courses:

  • AP English Literature OR College-Level English
  • AP Physics C OR Advanced Science Elective
  • AP Calculus AB or BC
  • Government (1 semester)
  • AI & Machine Learning OR AP Statistics
  • Cybersecurity OR Engineering Capstone

✅ College Applications & Extracurriculars:

  • Complete UC Application Essays (Highlight CS Projects, Hackathons, Leadership)
  • Request strong letters of recommendation from Math & CS teachers
  • Submit early applications to UC Berkeley & other top CS schools

📅 Spring 2029 Semester

✅ Courses:

  • AP English Literature OR College-Level English
  • AP Physics C OR Advanced Science Elective
  • AP Calculus AB or BC
  • Economics (1 semester)
  • Cybersecurity OR Engineering Capstone (continued)

✅ Final College Prep & Extracurriculars:

  • Prepare for UC Berkeley CS interviews (if required)
  • Apply for scholarships (Google, MIT, UC Regents, etc.)
  • Continue CS research projects & internship work

📌 Final Next Steps for TM

  • 🔹 9th Grade: Focus on math acceleration, Jazz Band, and first hackathons.
  • 🔹 10th Grade: Deepen CS skills, apply to AI programs, and start leadership in tech clubs.
  • 🔹 11th Grade: Take advanced CS courses, get a CS internship, and compete in USACO.
  • 🔹 12th Grade: Finalize college applications, highlight leadership, and complete CS research projects.

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