Math path for UVA/WM
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Anonymous
I’ve always wondered why students who are interested in a humanities major (not STEM) have to take calculus at all. What is the point? |
Anonymous
| My DS is a junior at W&M - he graduated from a FCPS IB high school. He took Algebra Honors in 8th grade and IB Math SL. I'm not sure what the equivalent is to AP courses, but I don't think it is as high as Calculus AB. Based on his high school transcript, it was obvious he was not going to major in STEM - his lowest grades were in the sciences/math (a B- in Chemistry and B- in Algebra 2) He didn't take Physics. His HL classes were all in English, Foreign Language and History. |
Anonymous
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OP I don't think there is any one size fits all answer but I would aim for Calc by junior year only if your DC is very good at math and really enjoys it. Otherwise Calc by senior year. I've had 4 DCs go down this pathway, aiming for Calc junior year and starting Algebra in 6th or 7th and I've seen many of their friends get burned out or overwhelmed and miserable by 9th or 10th grade.
One DC currently at UVA who never took calculus in HS (history major) and another DC who was accepted at VT Engineering with Calc A/B in 12th grade. Both also accepted at W&M. My HS junior is in calc A/B but many of her peers who started on this path have dropped off or have been heavily relying on tutors since 8th grade. My 4th took Calc A/B as a senior and is now getting her Ph.D. in a STEM field at a top university. |
Anonymous
| Np but following with interest. At our recent mcps (non-magnet) parent course registration meeting, we were told there are 4 sections of AP calc Bc, which means over 100 students, comprised of juniors and seniors. So seems at least 20% of each grade has gone through calc BC by graduation, and then another group through Calc AB. Just based on those percentages I would have assumed that schools like W&M and UVA look for math through calc Bc. |
Anonymous
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My DD -- a stem major at W&M, Algebra in 8, and Geom. Honors between 8& 9. She took A/B in 11, and BC in 12.
After Alg. 1 H, her top math grades were B+. I think she would have been fine taking A/B in 12. Though, she may not have gotten credit for it because she shut down after the schools shut down last year. |
Anonymous
Dean J at UVA has some strong remarks for students who drop a subject for doubling up in another. She claims that high school is not the time to begin winnowing opportunities. Most students enter college undecided or will change their major once admitted. To that end, admissions officers view some type of Calculus by senior year as consistent with a rigorous schedule throughout high school, keeping one’s options open, and the spirit of a liberal arts curriculum. I’m not saying UVA won’t admit students without Calculus, but taking it prevents an unforced error. Of course, if the student is likely to score a “C” in it, it’s probably best to substitute something like AP Statistics. |
Anonymous
I've never seen/read her say you need calculus. Link? |
Anonymous
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At least my kids' Fairfax school, numerous kids get into UVA/William & Mary without taking calculus as juniors (either taking Calculus as seniors or AP stats). It is generally encouraged to take some calculus in high school since a kid otherwise cannot take AP science classes (except for Physics 1) or Comp Sci. There is only a small group of kids who take multivariable, so even students who take calculus in 11th tend to stop there.
As an aside, we were told during ninth grade orientation, that about half of the students who take algebra 1 in 7th end up retaking algebra (or geometry) to get better at the concepts and/or improve their grades. |
Anonymous
The point of being a well educated adult is that you have basic knowledge across a broad range of subjects. So many people on this board treat education solely as a way to get a job and make money. How about looking at education as a means to make you a well educated, well rounded, productive member of society? |
Anonymous
| Our daughter took AP Calc A/B in senior year and was accepted ED at W&M. |
Anonymous
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OP, you -likely- need AP Calc A/B for a non STEM major
And definitely AP Calc B/C for STEM For those schools |
Anonymous
| My DD got into WM ED with Calc AB senior year, and graduated with a Biology BA w/honors. |
Anonymous
No. Rough day on 12/19. |
Anonymous
🙄 wow |
Anonymous
This exactly describes my DD. Strengths in the humanities, not in math. Didn’t take physics either. |