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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]^^ I'm back.  Here's the GMU recommended high school load.  You can see it clearly states four years of math and indicates through calculus.  That was the first question asked of DS when on tour for Game Design there: "Have you had calculus".  The science, math, engineering and game design programs don't want to spend time reteaching students the fundamentals so they try to be clear about expectations.  I think you'll find most elite colleges want to see "the most rigorous" courses taken in high school.  https://catalog.gmu.edu/archives/2017-2018/admissions/undergraduate-policies/undergraduate-policies.pdf[/quote]

[b]Thanks so much for sharing your experience.  My question is whether DS should push to get calculus done by Junior year (as another PP said that VT admissions told them they want to see it by junior year for engineering majors).  DS will take calculus by senior year if he stays on his current track.  But, he could jump forward by taking geometry in the summer and then be ready for calculus as a Junior.  The question is how important is it for com sci majors.  [/quote][/b]

If possible, try to get the calculus done with an A by end of junior year.  That way the fact that he finished it and with an A will allow your son to apply EA, ED, SCEA to top schools early.  He'll have the summer to prepare his essays and applications.  Also consider doing it as a summer non-degree student at a community college or George Mason. One of our children did a summer course between junior and senior year to prove he could handle college science courses and to help prep for the Chem II subject matter test.  If a college sees that your son has taken a college course and succeeded then they will feel confident that he can handle college life.

For comp. sci., most departments will want to see calculus completed with an A.  If your child is planning on applying RD then the course will be done with a grade at the time of application but the entire game of college applications is moving to fall of senior year (UVA just added ED with applications due on Oct. 15th of senior year).  Having now been through the college admissions cycle three times, I agree with the posters who say the real game of admissions is played out in SCEA, ED, EA.  For my students, they generally got into their EA, ED, SCEA school choices but not in their RD schools. By the time your son is in the game, I think you'll see that you want him prepared to send in applications immediately beginning in fall.  Also, some schools have rolling admissions. It's nice to get one acceptance very early on just to give your child a sense of peace that they have at least one school in hand.

That being said, and having been told by the heads of the computer science schools, game design programs and engineering that they really want to see it completed, your best bet for success at top programs is to get that calculus done by the end of junior year.  We were told that at VT for engineering (not applicable if not engineering, hard math, science or computer-related fields), GMU and UVA.  I don't see the college admissions process getting easier.  I see it getting only more competitive as more full-pay internationals are brought in to keep the schools afloat.  Also, if you are looking in-state, that is going to only get more competitive as well.  Post back if you have further questions.[/quote]

well, hot dang!  GMU too???  I thought they would be a little more relaxed.

thank you so much for sharing your experience again!

I wonder if the high yield at VT is connected to the Amazon decision and the future plans for the VT computing campus in Arlington/Alexandria.  I could see more kids accepting VT this year b/c they think they will have better access to Amazon jobs in 4 years.[/quote]

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