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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Many parents are largely unaware of the realities of competitive math sequencing for admission to Top 25 schools. Counselors (both private and public high schools) consistently note that this practice is common nationwide, not just within our local community. Students are enrolling in community college courses to accelerate their math track, often advancing well beyond BC Calculus. Those dismissing this trend as exaggerated are simply uninformed—or their child may have gained admission to an Ivy+ school on other strengths. Across districts such as HoCo, FFX, ARL, LAUSD, NYC, and many others, a significant number of students are already completing second-year (or higher) college-level math by the time they graduate high school.[/quote]

Taking advanced math past Calculus BC will not help with college admissions. If the student is interested, sure, they should do it, but  for admissions pursuing meaningful extracurriculars is more beneficial.

Look up MIT advice on what high school classes to take, they only mention calculus, nothing beyond.

I’d be very curious to know if anyone has evidence that DE math helps in some way.[/quote]

There is no shortage of information online about what students nationwide are doing to strengthen their college applications. To dismiss the importance of math sequencing in admissions is, frankly, misguided. Both UVA and Virginia Tech admissions offices have publicly stated that they consider whether applicants have advanced beyond calculus, noting that many successful candidates present dual-enrollment math coursework well past that level. In fact, during a recent Instagram Live, UVA’s dean addressed a student’s question on this very topic.

I previously shared that our college counselor emphasized the same point—and we spoke with four different counselors before making a selection. Every one of them focused on the importance of math sequencing and asked whether our oldest child would be on track to take dual-enrollment math (he would not). While this is clearly an important factor in admissions, it is not a path available—or suitable—for every student. Certainly, it will not be for my oldest.[/quote]

Do you have a link to clarify what UVA and VT have publicly stated? I am very doubtful dual enrollment classes like Multivariable are giving a leg up for admissions. If kids take AP Stats instead of Multivariable they won’t be dinged, regardless of the claims made on various forums.

Colleges like MIT and Caltech mention Calculus as being important, taken as AP, IB or DE.

https://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/foundations/

https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/apply/preparing-for-caltech/selecting-high-school-courses

From the Caltech link:

We [b]never[/b] expect you to enroll in other institutions to take more STEM courses, but we do want you to stay connected to math throughout high school in preparation for the core curriculum. That could be through the free Khan Academy or a textbook you pick up on your own to explore.

In my view if your thing is taking more advanced math, then great, why not. But to do it expecting a bump or advantage in college admissions is misguided.
[/quote]

I don’t think students pursue advanced math sequencing because it’s “required,” but rather to gain an edge in the admissions process. [b]College admissions function on a point system, and when comparing a student who stops at Calculus to one who has gone a year or more beyond BC Calculus, the latter typically earns more points.[/b] It’s not a difficult concept to grasp if you understand how admissions decisions are made. That said, this path isn’t necessary for everyone, but it is an option for those who are able to pursue it to make their applications more competitive.[/quote]

Please find me a shred of evidence that the student who goes past Calculus BC earns more points.

You won’t because it’s not true. The application won’t be more competitive.[/quote]

Please do your own research.  This is an easy research topic.  Better yet, ask a high school junior and they'll be able to tell you.  College admissions is a comparison game, and those who have advanced math beyond BC calculus have the advantage over those who don't (provided you have decent grades in those advanced courses).  It's really quite simple.  If you don't believe it, then don't worry about it.  But don't obfuscate the reality of college admissions.  [/quote]

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