Reply to Benefits of taking Algebra 1 in 6th grade

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don’t believe taking post Calculus BC math matters for admissions, and I say it as the parent of a kid who will need to find something past differential equations in high school.

The only tangible benefit of acceleration is ability to take calculus based physics early, and having a solid math framework in place. Many others do well without. [/quote]

Whether or not it makes a difference,  admissions at preferred colleges is a competitive selection process. [b]All else being equal[/b], completing math courses beyond Calc BC can only enhance an application, not diminish it.
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Think about what goes into “all else:” GPA, SAT, APs, extracurriculars, coursework, jobs, volunteering, essays, athletics, first generation etc.

You simply can’t have “all else being equal”, and all these factors are more important than the most advanced math class the student took. It’s not going to diminish an application, it may help a bit on the coursework rigor, but not if the grades have Bs among them.

That’s why you have kids with Multivariable being rejected from UMD and other state schools. [/quote]

You can have “all else being equal”. Kids who cruise through all math classes with minimal work and solid As will still have the same GPA, SATs, extracurriculars, etc, regardless of the math level.  It’s a different story if the more advanced math class leads to worse grades or requires more time.  That isn’t always the case.  [/quote]

Who are these kids that are equal in everything except the math classes they took?

If all else was equal they all must have 4.0 GPA, 1600 SAT, took the same 8-12 APs across various subjects all scoring 5 at the exam. They all do the same robotics club and violin as extracurriculars, got the same awards, were part of the same high school clubs, ended up captain of the same varsity team, entered in the same national sports competitions, got the same scores. They also must have had the same summer jobs, volunteered at the same animal shelter or hospital. Also their essays were about the same quality, since they came from similar backgrounds, nothing notably different between them, they had no story to stand out.

In the end it came down to who took linear algebra! The kid that made an app, took organic chemistry or waited tables to help the family was rejected since they didn’t make it to IMO or IPhO.

You’re being ridiculous.
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You completely missed the point.  The only meaningful comparison is your kid if they took the highest track of math vs. your same kid if they didn't.  For some kids, taking the faster track means that they need to spend more time on math homework, less time on ECs, and/or get worse grades.  For other kids, there is no real time or grade difference between taking the highest track vs. a lower one.  The kid would still have all of the same grades, ECs, etc.  The only real difference is that they would have more and higher math and physics classes, would possibly have some national level awards, and would possibly have better teacher recommendations.

The kids who would need to cut corners elsewhere or would get worse grades on the faster math track would most likely be better off on the slower track.  The kids who would cruise through the faster classes will only benefit from being on the faster track.  If we're all being perfectly honest, the first kid is unlikely to be MIT math/physics program material anyway.

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Poor high school students! They are now competing with the better versions of themselves from alternate universes for college admissions. [/quote]

Oh good grief.   :roll: The whole context here is whether taking Algebra in 6th or 7th would be beneficial for one's own child.  If the kid can handle it easily without sacrificing GPA or other activities, it is beneficial.  They're not "competing with better versions of themselves from alternate universes."  They're instead making optimal choices based on their own interests and abilities.  Kids who can easily handle advanced math will benefit from taking advanced math and will look holistically more appealing to colleges for several reasons (willing to challenge themselves, better chances at high level awards, likely better recommendations, possibly a better GPA depending on how the courses are weighted, etc.).  I'm surprised that this isn't completely obvious to everyone.  It's different if the math is going to be a struggle for the kid.  That's why parents should think carefully about whether early algebra would be beneficial for their kid or not.  [/quote]

In short if you have a genius kid that can handle working three years ahead in math, everything will be fine. For the love of god, if you have kids you need to tone it down and do some introspective work on yourself. Sit down and analyze what you’re saying. Initially you said advanced math is needed for top colleges, now you’re claiming it will help with GPA and letters of recommendation. You know that other classes carry the +1 additional weight, right? And many other teachers can give recommendations.

The reality is that math in 6th grade is the result of pushy tiger parents that prepped the heck out of their kids. Fine if you want that, but it’s not needed and it won’t get the kid into MIT. [/quote]

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