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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Look at UIUC netmath, Stanford ULO, your local state school, or see if your school would offer an independent study so your son can take some AoPS courses (e.g. intro to counting and probability, intro to number theory, and the intermediate versions of both)

[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!!!!!

No I’m not a Bay Parent. If OP is confident her child is getting a quality and in depth precalc, then continue on. But in this area, a lot of the kids doing precalc in middle school are either doing a condensed summer course or some online program. I’d would be hesitate to push a kid on into AP calc if their precalc class wasn’t very strong

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’m not all knowing in this, but our CC offers a Calc III which I believe would follow Calc BC, then you’d continue on with the above classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’m not all knowing in this, but our CC offers a Calc III which I believe would follow Calc BC, then you’d continue on with the above classes.

They also often have a discrete math course and sometimes have a calc-based statistics course.

[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?

Our private does, plus option to take further math at Hopkins, but we are in Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 an applying to top 10's.

I have not seen a notable difference in college admission at our school between kids taking normal advanced track math (ending with calc bc) and those taking a year or two ahead.

[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’ve heard a department head namecheck a specific CC, “if you have a bunch of credit from Foothills, you’re not prepared for upper division courses.”

[Anonymous]

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.

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.

PP here. If multi/diffeq 10th, linear/elective 11th, they could try to add discrete for 12th, but that is a semester. Or possibly logic or complex if school offers, but these wouldn't get much and may not fill the gap. The ones that can help with placement are Calc, multi, diffeq, linear. We did not see any real options to place out of other classes. I suppose those could be used to help with narrative. My kid (BC in 10th) took linear, discrete and complex in 12th. It would have gained her nothing to take BC in 9th, and she might have had a semester without a math or have to scramble to fill at cc.

[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.

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.

PP here. If multi/diffeq 10th, linear/elective 11th, they could try to add discrete for 12th, but that is a semester. Or possibly logic or complex if school offers, but these wouldn't get much and may not fill the gap. The ones that can help with placement are Calc, multi, diffeq, linear. We did not see any real options to place out of other classes. I suppose those could be used to help with narrative. My kid (BC in 10th) took linear, discrete and complex in 12th. It would have gained her nothing to take BC in 9th, and she might have had a semester without a math or have to scramble to fill at cc.

Sounds like taking Calc AB 9th, then Calc BC 10th would be the way to go, especially if that provides a solid underfooting outside of basic math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 an applying to top 10's.

I have not seen a notable difference in college admission at our school between kids taking normal advanced track math (ending with calc bc) and those taking a year or two ahead.

I have not either

[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.

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.

PP here. If multi/diffeq 10th, linear/elective 11th, they could try to add discrete for 12th, but that is a semester. Or possibly logic or complex if school offers, but these wouldn't get much and may not fill the gap. The ones that can help with placement are Calc, multi, diffeq, linear. We did not see any real options to place out of other classes. I suppose those could be used to help with narrative. My kid (BC in 10th) took linear, discrete and complex in 12th. It would have gained her nothing to take BC in 9th, and she might have had a semester without a math or have to scramble to fill at cc.

The OPs student planed to take Calculus in 9th and AP statistics in 10. So Multi and LA in 11th, then Diff Eq and Discrete in 12th.

You don’t run out of classes, no need to take the AB+BC sequence. Another poster mentioned that CCs also have independent study that could substitute for a class.

[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.

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.

PP here. If multi/diffeq 10th, linear/elective 11th, they could try to add discrete for 12th, but that is a semester. Or possibly logic or complex if school offers, but these wouldn't get much and may not fill the gap. The ones that can help with placement are Calc, multi, diffeq, linear. We did not see any real options to place out of other classes. I suppose those could be used to help with narrative. My kid (BC in 10th) took linear, discrete and complex in 12th. It would have gained her nothing to take BC in 9th, and she might have had a semester without a math or have to scramble to fill at cc.

Sounds like taking Calc AB 9th, then Calc BC 10th would be the way to go, especially if that provides a solid underfooting outside of basic math.

That would be terrible advice. If you took Precalculus honors and got an A you should be well prepared for BC. The Calculus AB overlap with BC is so high that you’d essentially take the same class twice. The only good reason people might take it is if they didn’t do well in precalculus and need to slow down, while still checking the box for rigorous coursework. At that point the better option is to repeat precalculus in 9th and do BC in 10th, so you’d be in the same spot. Otherwise you might bomb AB, and then you’d have to deal with a low GPA. When a kid is that accelerated he should be getting As and 5s on the exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 an applying to top 10's.

I have not seen a notable difference in college admission at our school between kids taking normal advanced track math (ending with calc bc) and those taking a year or two ahead.

I have not either

Anecdotally I have seen a difference, but those kids don’t rely only on the advanced math coursework. They also have APs in physics C, chemistry and biology and take APs in English, History and Foreign language. I don’t know if it’s the math that is the determining factor, but usually that correlates well with college admissions outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 an applying to top 10's.

I have not seen a notable difference in college admission at our school between kids taking normal advanced track math (ending with calc bc) and those taking a year or two ahead.

Same. It really doesn't seem like a factor at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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 an applying to top 10's.

I have not seen a notable difference in college admission at our school between kids taking normal advanced track math (ending with calc bc) and those taking a year or two ahead.

I have not either

Anecdotally I have seen a difference, but those kids don’t rely only on the advanced math coursework. They also have APs in physics C, chemistry and biology and take APs in English, History and Foreign language. I don’t know if it’s the math that is the determining factor, but usually that correlates well with college admissions outcomes.

All of the top kids at our school take all of those courses, and there are differences in maths but those do not result in different college outcomes. It is always something beyond the coursework.