Does taking AP Calc freshmen year in HS give enough "bonus" points to make it worth it?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:No. It might actually signal that the parent is driving the bus on math enrichment. No reason a kid should take Calc before 10th. Otherwise, not really enough lower tier college math courses to take to fill out 4 years if math.

lol. You clearly have no clue. Look at some degree major requirements or department policies to get an idea. You can also repeat classes or place directly into more advanced classes.

PP is referring to HS classes.

How would you run out of college classes in high school?

One can take: AP Statistics, Multivariable, Linear algebra, differential equations, discrete.

For many (most) districts computer science classes can count as math classes.

They'll run out of *quality* HS classes. Every one of those would be taught much better at the college when they get there. The AP calc teachers are already hit or miss, not many kids have access to good teaching if they get ahead.

Ok so Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry and Precalculus are *quality* high school classes, but community college courses in multivariable, linear algebra and diff eq are not up there with them as far as high school quality is concerned. Suppose OPs student is doing really well right now in 8th grade Precalculus, and is considering enrolling in Calculus in 9th. What’s the advice? From what you’re saying, the should retake precalculus, follow with calculus AB, then BC and finally statistics.

Yes, crazy, but it's easier to find HS teachers who teach HS material well. My guess, OP's kid is not doing really well in 8th grade pre-calc. OP is planning to sign up for pre-calc this summer. In which case, forget about it, take pre-calc 9th, BC, Stats, one CC class the other three years. Regardless, this is not what will get the kid into Princeton.

If that’s true, then no, there’s no reason to do precalculus in 6 weeks over the summer to impress admissions officers, and of course that won’t get anyone into Princeton.

The sequence you proposed is good advice, likely they’ll take two cc classes since they follow the semester system.

If the Precalculus is actually legit, it’s the same sequence plus more cc classes for the 12th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. It might actually signal that the parent is driving the bus on math enrichment. No reason a kid should take Calc before 10th. Otherwise, not really enough lower tier college math courses to take to fill out 4 years if math.

lol. You clearly have no clue. Look at some degree major requirements or department policies to get an idea. You can also repeat classes or place directly into more advanced classes.

Actually, I know the curricula very well. You probably didn't understand what I was saying, or just have a unique blend of arrogance and ignorance.

My kid is a math major at a T10 (decided between 2 T10 and some other top schools, so checked curricula with departments at all) and fulfilled all the math base tier requirements in HS. Top colleges may let you use college level work in HS to place out if lower tier or pre req classes, but they won't for upper tier, so if someone took AP Calc in 9th, they may run out of those base classes. It also won't look any more impressive.

And, there is nothing super special about placing out. Some like to retake. Mine went to a magnet HS with incredible math depth and wanted the placement. Was the right choice for her.

Can you give a specific example on how a kid taking Calculus in 9th would run out of classes to take either in high school or in college? The assumption is that they can access introductory level classes at the local community college, and they could also retake some in college if they wish to.

[Anonymous]

Short answer, no. Doing well at the US or International Math Olympiad might make a difference.

[Anonymous]

OP - doesnt your public or private offer advanced math courses? Our DD took many at Langley. I was blown away by what was offered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. It might actually signal that the parent is driving the bus on math enrichment. No reason a kid should take Calc before 10th. Otherwise, not really enough lower tier college math courses to take to fill out 4 years if math.

lol. You clearly have no clue. Look at some degree major requirements or department policies to get an idea. You can also repeat classes or place directly into more advanced classes.

PP is referring to HS classes.

How would you run out of college classes in high school?

One can take: AP Statistics, Multivariable, Linear algebra, differential equations, discrete.

For many (most) districts computer science classes can count as math classes.

Besides TJ, what HSs offer diff eq and discrete?

MCPS magnets

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Short answer, no. Doing well at the US or International Math Olympiad might make a difference.

What evidence do you have that doing well in AIME will result in better admissions outcomes than loading up on advanced coursework?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. It might actually signal that the parent is driving the bus on math enrichment. No reason a kid should take Calc before 10th. Otherwise, not really enough lower tier college math courses to take to fill out 4 years if math.

lol. You clearly have no clue. Look at some degree major requirements or department policies to get an idea. You can also repeat classes or place directly into more advanced classes.

PP is referring to HS classes.

How would you run out of college classes in high school?

One can take: AP Statistics, Multivariable, Linear algebra, differential equations, discrete.

For many (most) districts computer science classes can count as math classes.

Besides TJ, what HSs offer diff eq and discrete?

MCPS magnets

Similar schools in most large districts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Short answer, no. Doing well at the US or International Math Olympiad might make a difference.

What evidence do you have that doing well in AIME will result in better admissions outcomes than loading up on advanced coursework?

The PP said AMO or IMO, not AIME. MOPers have a decent shot at a top 10. IMO team members, most certainly (except Ankan who chose Ohio State for some reason). 250+ do well enough in AIME to qualify for AMO. Not all can get into top 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC will be taking AP Calc as 9th grader. They plans on taking AP stats at the high school, then continute to take higher math classes at the CC for 11th and 12th grade. I remember seeing that 1/3 of Princeton students took a similar path.

The upside is hopefully stand out for top colleges.

The downside is taking classes off campus and not in high school environment.

Is the net result that a student stands out enough that it worth the detriment?

That would mean 4 semesters of classes at the CC. So Multivariable, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations and (?). Does your CC have classes beyond DEeq? We are scrambling to piece together 6 semesters of courses for DS.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. It might actually signal that the parent is driving the bus on math enrichment. No reason a kid should take Calc before 10th. Otherwise, not really enough lower tier college math courses to take to fill out 4 years if math.

lol. You clearly have no clue. Look at some degree major requirements or department policies to get an idea. You can also repeat classes or place directly into more advanced classes.

PP is referring to HS classes.

How would you run out of college classes in high school?

One can take: AP Statistics, Multivariable, Linear algebra, differential equations, discrete.

For many (most) districts computer science classes can count as math classes.

They'll run out of *quality* HS classes. Every one of those would be taught much better at the college when they get there. The AP calc teachers are already hit or miss, not many kids have access to good teaching if they get ahead.

Ok so Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry and Precalculus are *quality* high school classes, but community college courses in multivariable, linear algebra and diff eq are not up there with them as far as high school quality is concerned. Suppose OPs student is doing really well right now in 8th grade Precalculus, and is considering enrolling in Calculus in 9th. What’s the advice? From what you’re saying, the should retake precalculus, follow with calculus AB, then BC and finally statistics.

NP. But my advice would be to retake pre calc, only bc I’d be suspicious of whatever version of precalc an 8th grader is taking- unless they are taking it in person at a high school. Anything online, no id retake.

Then calc BC in 10th (not of this AB then BC BS)

After that it depends what your school offers. Some offer advanced calculus (high level than AP calc BC) and beyond. If they don’t, then community college. Community college has math beyond calculus

Dumb advice at least if you are Bay Area parent. Top feeder to Berkeley, local cc has precalc class, accepted for UC A-G credit. Child scores in top of his class at this local community college. This course beasts local high school pre-calc. Talented 8th graders all take this class!!! Top students in the country!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. It might actually signal that the parent is driving the bus on math enrichment. No reason a kid should take Calc before 10th. Otherwise, not really enough lower tier college math courses to take to fill out 4 years if math.

lol. You clearly have no clue. Look at some degree major requirements or department policies to get an idea. You can also repeat classes or place directly into more advanced classes.

PP is referring to HS classes.

How would you run out of college classes in high school?

One can take: AP Statistics, Multivariable, Linear algebra, differential equations, discrete.

For many (most) districts computer science classes can count as math classes.

They'll run out of *quality* HS classes. Every one of those would be taught much better at the college when they get there. The AP calc teachers are already hit or miss, not many kids have access to good teaching if they get ahead.

Ok so Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry and Precalculus are *quality* high school classes, but community college courses in multivariable, linear algebra and diff eq are not up there with them as far as high school quality is concerned. Suppose OPs student is doing really well right now in 8th grade Precalculus, and is considering enrolling in Calculus in 9th. What’s the advice? From what you’re saying, the should retake precalculus, follow with calculus AB, then BC and finally statistics.

NP. But my advice would be to retake pre calc, only bc I’d be suspicious of whatever version of precalc an 8th grader is taking- unless they are taking it in person at a high school. Anything online, no id retake.

Then calc BC in 10th (not of this AB then BC BS)

After that it depends what your school offers. Some offer advanced calculus (high level than AP calc BC) and beyond. If they don’t, then community college. Community college has math beyond calculus

Dumb advice at least if you are Bay Area parent. Top feeder to Berkeley, local cc has precalc class, accepted for UC A-G credit. Child scores in top of his class at this local community college. This course beasts local high school pre-calc. Talented 8th graders all take this class!!! Top students in the country!!!!!

I don't think some people realize how incredibly talented the students getting into Stanford, Berkeley, MIT, Caltech are. The path is well-blazed, which means taking pre-calculus prior to high school, then finishing high school maths requirements in high school, supplemented by college coursework. Sure, it is not tens of thousands doing this, but a smaller subset of uber-talented kids. And, yes, these kids receive grossly favorable outcomes in a applying to top 10's.

[Anonymous]

Why are any your kid starting with topology and real math?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're looking for bonus points, have your kid qualify for the US Math Olympiad team. Those 6 kids always go to a top college. Mastering the high school math curriculum is more impressive than racing through it

Mastering the high school curriculum isn't even enough to qualify for USAMO, much less be the top 6 math students in the country. I can assure you those kids are learning lots of math far, far, far beyond the high school curriculum.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I don't believe for one second that 1/3 of Princeton's students took AP Calc BC as a Freshman.

+1

yeah, not even close. Only 20% of students nationwide take calculus at all in high school, and only 50% of high schools offer calculus.

OP, your child is going to be judged in the context of their high school. This cockamamie plan won't help them get into a school that is a lottery ticket anyway.

If you want to improve their odds, buy them a sabre or a foil. (KIDDING.) (UNLESS THEY REALLY WANT TO FENCE.)

Even better, buy them a rowing machine!

Yep. My kid was on a very high math pathway (BC Calc in 10th then A+ on UMD math courses) and was WL / Reject at the schools I am sure you are looking at.

An a+ in UMD Math 340?

240 and 241

Well if 340 was available and they chose not to take it, then of course choosing the easier option would look bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. It might actually signal that the parent is driving the bus on math enrichment. No reason a kid should take Calc before 10th. Otherwise, not really enough lower tier college math courses to take to fill out 4 years if math.

lol. You clearly have no clue. Look at some degree major requirements or department policies to get an idea. You can also repeat classes or place directly into more advanced classes.

Actually, I know the curricula very well. You probably didn't understand what I was saying, or just have a unique blend of arrogance and ignorance.

My kid is a math major at a T10 (decided between 2 T10 and some other top schools, so checked curricula with departments at all) and fulfilled all the math base tier requirements in HS. Top colleges may let you use college level work in HS to place out if lower tier or pre req classes, but they won't for upper tier, so if someone took AP Calc in 9th, they may run out of those base classes. It also won't look any more impressive.

And, there is nothing super special about placing out. Some like to retake. Mine went to a magnet HS with incredible math depth and wanted the placement. Was the right choice for her.

large schools will have far more classes than can be taken even if the student comes in with as many undergrad classes as you can reasonably think of. Graduate level coursework will absolutely look more impressive that lower level undergrad coursework, because it is more impressive.