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.
