HS Math- which class to take

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were told directly by an admissions officer at a top college that calculus is used as a barometer for how the student will do at their college and that success in multivariable was all the proof that they needed that this applicant would succeed at their college. So, yes, taking multivariable is looked at favorably, at least by this college.

We were told differently and proved correct in my DS's case.. Just do well in Calc AB and BC. You will be just fine. No need for multivariable. But heck, if your school offers it and your kid's heart has a burning passion to take it, then by all means do it. It won't hurt unless you receive a poor grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were told directly by an admissions officer at a top college that calculus is used as a barometer for how the student will do at their college and that success in multivariable was all the proof that they needed that this applicant would succeed at their college. So, yes, taking multivariable is looked at favorably, at least by this college.

We were told differently and proved correct in my DS's case.. Just do well in Calc AB and BC. You will be just fine. No need for multivariable. But heck, if your school offers it and your kid's heart has a burning passion to take it, then by all means do it. It won't hurt unless you receive a poor grade.

If admissions office has couple of hundred applicants with Multivariable, Linear, and AP stats, then an applicant with just Calc BC would need to lot of other unique credentials to makeup for that delta?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were told directly by an admissions officer at a top college that calculus is used as a barometer for how the student will do at their college and that success in multivariable was all the proof that they needed that this applicant would succeed at their college. So, yes, taking multivariable is looked at favorably, at least by this college.

We were told differently and proved correct in my DS's case.. Just do well in Calc AB and BC. You will be just fine. No need for multivariable. But heck, if your school offers it and your kid's heart has a burning passion to take it, then by all means do it. It won't hurt unless you receive a poor grade.

If admissions office has couple of hundred applicants with Multivariable, Linear, and AP stats, then an applicant with just Calc BC would need to lot of other unique credentials to makeup for that delta?

Only if they need to major in math. There are many other majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were told directly by an admissions officer at a top college that calculus is used as a barometer for how the student will do at their college and that success in multivariable was all the proof that they needed that this applicant would succeed at their college. So, yes, taking multivariable is looked at favorably, at least by this college.

We were told differently and proved correct in my DS's case.. Just do well in Calc AB and BC. You will be just fine. No need for multivariable. But heck, if your school offers it and your kid's heart has a burning passion to take it, then by all means do it. It won't hurt unless you receive a poor grade.

If admissions office has couple of hundred applicants with Multivariable, Linear, and AP stats, then an applicant with just Calc BC would need to lot of other unique credentials to makeup for that delta?

Incorrect. Look, if your kid wants to take MV by all means do it. But if they have already taken AB and BC and achieved A's in both, I would recommend focusing on EC's or a sport to show they are well rounded person and some leadership activities. Fill the space with those things. That's what they want to see. They already know the kid is great at math and will do well in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My engineering major took MV Calc / Linear Algebra as his "math" course and AP Stat as an "elective." He started off his engineering program in Calc 3 and has done very well.

This is my humanities major DS’s plan. He took AP stats as an elective in 10th (along with AP Precalculus) and thought it was easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Intended engineering major.

AP calc BC in 11th. All As. Assume 5 on AP test.

What to take in 12th?
MV calc? Offered at the HS, but Would have to repeat in college so I’m wondering why take in HS. Kid is strong in math, learns it quickly, doesn’t need to see it twice to learn it deeply. But is this needed in 12th to be considered highest rigor?

Or AP Stats? Seems more practical subject matter, important for everyone. Not sure if this would allow to skip stats in college… haven’t looked into whether engineering generally accepts this as credit or not. But also, would this be considered less math rigor than taking MV in 12th?

Kid at strong HS where many kids will be taking MV in 12th.

why do you assume he would need to retake multi, linear, or diff eq? Many schools offer challenge exams / departmental exams for credit

As mentioned earlier, high school calculus and the cal sequences at many universities (1-3) are not very rigorous. If attending a school with more demanding requirements, you won't get credit for certain classes, and you just won't have been prepared to test out of them if even that was a possibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, from a high school where many kids take MV, you have to take MV.

+1

This! And yes, you will have to retake in College. Where your kid will help set the curve (and annoy those who only took Calc BC and are seeing MV for first time). My kid's school had many kids doing this. 50%+ of their Calc 3 were kids who already learned the material previously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, from a high school where many kids take MV, you have to take MV.

+1

This! And yes, you will have to retake in College. Where your kid will help set the curve (and annoy those who only took Calc BC and are seeing MV for first time). My kid's school had many kids doing this. 50%+ of their Calc 3 were kids who already learned the material previously.

My daughter will take MVC, LA, and DE before HS graduation and 100% plans to retake at least one of those in college to confirm knowledge and ensure a rock solid foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once you get past AP Calculus BC, anything after that is not going to add any value to the application.

MV is not going to tip your application to the admit pile at any college.

Once you pass the AP Calculus BC filter, they know you are strong in math and that it is not a concern. Even if you major in math.

Then the focus is on the rest of the application.

DC is an MOP qualifier and I am very familiar with strong math kids. I did not see MV make any difference.

you dreaming. of course it will be noted by the AO. How many multivariate applicants do you think that they see? There are so many AO podcasts on this it is not funny.

I went to Bulldog days admitted students event at Yale. There is a session for parents with the AO's. They made fun of the fact that parents are attending an AO event even after their child was already admitted, and maybe that is because they have another kid who is going to apply.

One of the questions is pretty much the above. They said once the bar is cleared, they do not give any importance, and they specifically gave an example of something to the effect: just because you have done linear algebra does not give you any additional points or make you a stronger candidate. Even compared to the students in the same HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once you get past AP Calculus BC, anything after that is not going to add any value to the application.

MV is not going to tip your application to the admit pile at any college.

Once you pass the AP Calculus BC filter, they know you are strong in math and that it is not a concern. Even if you major in math.

Then the focus is on the rest of the application.

DC is an MOP qualifier and I am very familiar with strong math kids. I did not see MV make any difference.

you dreaming. of course it will be noted by the AO. How many multivariate applicants do you think that they see? There are so many AO podcasts on this it is not funny.

I went to Bulldog days admitted students event at Yale. There is a session for parents with the AO's. They made fun of the fact that parents are attending an AO event even after their child was already admitted, and maybe that is because they have another kid who is going to apply.

One of the questions is pretty much the above. They said once the bar is cleared, they do not give any importance, and they specifically gave an example of something to the effect: just because you have done linear algebra does not give you any additional points or make you a stronger candidate. Even compared to the students in the same HS.

That makes sense. Just because a student has taken a more rigorous class schedule than others shouldn't move the needle. College admissions should not be all about academics. Hopefully Yale looks at the student who only completed Calc BC and didn't take the high school's class of multivar as someone who is more well rounded than those taking the advanced classes in math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For engineering, from a high school where many kids take MV, you have to take MV.

+1

This! And yes, you will have to retake in College. Where your kid will help set the curve (and annoy those who only took Calc BC and are seeing MV for first time). My kid's school had many kids doing this. 50%+ of their Calc 3 were kids who already learned the material previously.

You sound as if you know this to be fact. Is your kid still in high school or is he now admitted to college. If so, what engineering school were they accepted to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once you get past AP Calculus BC, anything after that is not going to add any value to the application.

MV is not going to tip your application to the admit pile at any college.

Once you pass the AP Calculus BC filter, they know you are strong in math and that it is not a concern. Even if you major in math.

Then the focus is on the rest of the application.

DC is an MOP qualifier and I am very familiar with strong math kids. I did not see MV make any difference.

you dreaming. of course it will be noted by the AO. How many multivariate applicants do you think that they see? There are so many AO podcasts on this it is not funny.

I went to Bulldog days admitted students event at Yale. There is a session for parents with the AO's. They made fun of the fact that parents are attending an AO event even after their child was already admitted, and maybe that is because they have another kid who is going to apply.

One of the questions is pretty much the above. They said once the bar is cleared, they do not give any importance, and they specifically gave an example of something to the effect: just because you have done linear algebra does not give you any additional points or make you a stronger candidate. Even compared to the students in the same HS.

That makes sense. Just because a student has taken a more rigorous class schedule than others shouldn't move the needle. College admissions should not be all about academics. Hopefully Yale looks at the student who only completed Calc BC and didn't take the high school's class of multivar as someone who is more well rounded than those taking the advanced classes in math.

Unfortunately at schools like Yale many of their "well rounded" applicants ARE taking MV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once you get past AP Calculus BC, anything after that is not going to add any value to the application.

MV is not going to tip your application to the admit pile at any college.

Once you pass the AP Calculus BC filter, they know you are strong in math and that it is not a concern. Even if you major in math.

Then the focus is on the rest of the application.

DC is an MOP qualifier and I am very familiar with strong math kids. I did not see MV make any difference.

you dreaming. of course it will be noted by the AO. How many multivariate applicants do you think that they see? There are so many AO podcasts on this it is not funny.

I went to Bulldog days admitted students event at Yale. There is a session for parents with the AO's. They made fun of the fact that parents are attending an AO event even after their child was already admitted, and maybe that is because they have another kid who is going to apply.

One of the questions is pretty much the above. They said once the bar is cleared, they do not give any importance, and they specifically gave an example of something to the effect: just because you have done linear algebra does not give you any additional points or make you a stronger candidate. Even compared to the students in the same HS.

That makes sense. Just because a student has taken a more rigorous class schedule than others shouldn't move the needle. College admissions should not be all about academics. Hopefully Yale looks at the student who only completed Calc BC and didn't take the high school's class of multivar as someone who is more well rounded than those taking the advanced classes in math.

Unfortunately at schools like Yale many of their "well rounded" applicants ARE taking MV.

Good thing Yale is not a Top 25 engineering school then. Don't have to worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were told directly by an admissions officer at a top college that calculus is used as a barometer for how the student will do at their college and that success in multivariable was all the proof that they needed that this applicant would succeed at their college. So, yes, taking multivariable is looked at favorably, at least by this college.

That doesn't mean that everyone who takes MV will be accepted or that not taking MV means you won't be accepted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were told directly by an admissions officer at a top college that calculus is used as a barometer for how the student will do at their college and that success in multivariable was all the proof that they needed that this applicant would succeed at their college. So, yes, taking multivariable is looked at favorably, at least by this college.

That doesn't mean that everyone who takes MV will be accepted or that not taking MV means you won't be accepted.

Yep. However, I think you need to have BC completed.