Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 19:41     Subject: Math paths
These all look the same, despite what strivers will say.

What matters more is if this advanced coursework is backed up by actual ability that shows they aren’t just speed running superficial knowledge. Students taking post-AP math who expect extra attention should have EC math/science awards/projects that prove they didn’t skip studying in earlier math.


Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 19:38     Subject: Math paths
Anonymous wrote:My DC’s school requires AB first and then BC the next year. Local DC private.


ours too, eastern shore /northern neck area
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 19:37     Subject: Math paths
Anonymous wrote:My DC’s school requires AB first and then BC the next year. Local DC private.


Same for ours. Selective STEM magnet public
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 19:23     Subject: Math paths
Precalc is really hard, but Calc BC is super fun. It was one of my favorite classes ever especially if taken at the same time as a calc-based physics class. All the sudden you see how math models everything. So cool.

MVC is definitely easier than BC, especially as it's a semester long college class spread over a whole year. If Diff Eq is available, that's also easier than Calc BC and another option instead of MVC after BC.

I hope he doesn't let sucky precalc turn him off of advanced math. It gets better once you start calc.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 19:22     Subject: Math paths
My DC’s school requires AB first and then BC the next year. Local DC private.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 19:21     Subject: Re:Math paths
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here and I should have said, he is not currently interested in pursuing a STEM field. So he certainly does not need MCV, but wants to show top rigor--or as close to it without taking MVC. Stats would of course be a step down from BC calc, but I like the idea of top rigor through 11th and then go from there. And if that means Stats for a non-STEM kid, so be it. His HS used to recommend AB-->BC for kids entering Calc in 11th, but now they seem to urge (top grades in earlier math classes) kids to go right to BC.

Oddly enough, this is true of both my kids' high schools, one public, one private, where previously they had AB as a fairly strict prerequisite to BC with rare exceptions. I wonder if something prompted this change more widely.

My current junior at a public was recommended to do BC junior year after AP precalc sophomore year, but does not have a particular interest in STEM and ended up choosing AB for junior year. Very busy, so he's glad he chose AB.

Back when this high school had AB as a prereq to BC, older sibling at the public took AB freshman year, BC sophomore year, AP stats junior year, MVC senior year (all As), is in a STEM major at a T10, and decided to retake MVC because he didn't feel like he learned enough in MVC in high school.

Meanwhile, STEM-ish sophomore at private was also recently recommended to do BC in junior year. Not sure what she will choose; years ago, older sibling at the same school crashed and burned in BC senior year after skipping AB, due to a multitude of factors, old teacher is no longer there. Mildly concerned that my sophomore tends to bite off more than she can chew time-wise and has a very time-consuming EC she will be a leader of junior year.

Overall the difference between AB and BC is two or three units. Many students forget the Ab content in BC and get 4s instead of 5s due to lost knowledge.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 19:13     Subject: Math paths
Mine is doing

9: precalc
10: calc AB
11: calc BC
12: MV

They thought it was best to do this than go right to BC, then have to figure out what next senior year. University would be an option for dual enrollment if they didn’t to AB, but I also don’t want them killed by too much math
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 19:08     Subject: Re:Math paths
Anonymous wrote:OP here and I should have said, he is not currently interested in pursuing a STEM field. So he certainly does not need MCV, but wants to show top rigor--or as close to it without taking MVC. Stats would of course be a step down from BC calc, but I like the idea of top rigor through 11th and then go from there. And if that means Stats for a non-STEM kid, so be it. His HS used to recommend AB-->BC for kids entering Calc in 11th, but now they seem to urge (top grades in earlier math classes) kids to go right to BC.

Oddly enough, this is true of both my kids' high schools, one public, one private, where previously they had AB as a fairly strict prerequisite to BC with rare exceptions. I wonder if something prompted this change more widely.

My current junior at a public was recommended to do BC junior year after AP precalc sophomore year, but does not have a particular interest in STEM and ended up choosing AB for junior year. Very busy, so he's glad he chose AB.

Back when this high school had AB as a prereq to BC, older sibling at the public took AB freshman year, BC sophomore year, AP stats junior year, MVC senior year (all As), is in a STEM major at a T10, and decided to retake MVC because he didn't feel like he learned enough in MVC in high school.

Meanwhile, STEM-ish sophomore at private was also recently recommended to do BC in junior year. Not sure what she will choose; years ago, older sibling at the same school crashed and burned in BC senior year after skipping AB, due to a multitude of factors, old teacher is no longer there. Mildly concerned that my sophomore tends to bite off more than she can chew time-wise and has a very time-consuming EC she will be a leader of junior year.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 18:56     Subject: Re:Math paths
Bc and Stats senior year. Stats is much more useful for non stem majors
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 18:51     Subject: Math paths
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Essentially repeating the same class will be boring, unless the calculus classes are taught expecting that you'll take both. I would recommend taking calc bc as a junior (if eligible) and then decide on stats or MV. You don't need to decide that now.


Yup. He should take Calc BC next year, then decide whether to do AP Stats or MVC in 12th. Zero reason to decide this now, and zero reason to do the calc AB path (unless the school recommends it).


THIS x100
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 18:49     Subject: Math paths
Your kid should talk to the current precalc teacher and see what is recommended. In many schools there is a decent sized group (15% of our school) who does MVC in 12th after BC in 11th. In other schools MVC in 12th is rare or nonexistent. If MVC is a normal path, and your kid is very good at math/ easily one of the top students in precal, and the teacher agrees BC next is where he should go, then do it. The teachers know the tracks best and where students fit best.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 18:38     Subject: Re:Math paths
Anonymous wrote:OP here and I should have said, he is not currently interested in pursuing a STEM field. So he certainly does not need MCV, but wants to show top rigor--or as close to it without taking MVC. Stats would of course be a step down from BC calc, but I like the idea of top rigor through 11th and then go from there. And if that means Stats for a non-STEM kid, so be it. His HS used to recommend AB-->BC for kids entering Calc in 11th, but now they seem to urge (top grades in earlier math classes) kids to go right to BC.

If you’re a humanities major, top stem rigor isnt than helpful- it’s great that you CAN do the math, but it’s not gonna boost your app as much as doing Spanish Lit or Art History, etc.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 18:32     Subject: Math paths
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is helpful, but my senior is in MV this year and she and her friends have found it a lot easier than BC. It’s a semester long college course, so spread out over the year it’s “pretty chill” according to them.

Multivariable is typically easier than calc 2. It’s just calc 1 with 3 dimensions. My DS ranked it:

Precal > Calc 2>> Calc 3> Calc 1> Stats
Where > means harder. He says there’s a lot more difficulty in Calc 2, and his school’s precal course was just terribly difficult.


This is an accurate ranking. Pre-calc is the heart of HS math. When algebra 1 was taught to older students it was the hurdle, but now those topics have been put off until pre-calc. At the same time pre-calc is laying the theoretical groundwork for calc. Multivar is not three times the work, it's revisiting the simplest problems in more variables. Setting up the problem, is the solution.

For the same reason, schools really don't care about MV. Student's who don't make it to calculus probably won't catch up. Students who somehow take a break from math senior year, look weak. Beyond that it doesn't matter.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 18:23     Subject: Re:Math paths
OP here and I should have said, he is not currently interested in pursuing a STEM field. So he certainly does not need MCV, but wants to show top rigor--or as close to it without taking MVC. Stats would of course be a step down from BC calc, but I like the idea of top rigor through 11th and then go from there. And if that means Stats for a non-STEM kid, so be it. His HS used to recommend AB-->BC for kids entering Calc in 11th, but now they seem to urge (top grades in earlier math classes) kids to go right to BC.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 18:05     Subject: Math paths
Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is helpful, but my senior is in MV this year and she and her friends have found it a lot easier than BC. It’s a semester long college course, so spread out over the year it’s “pretty chill” according to them.

Multivariable is typically easier than calc 2. It’s just calc 1 with 3 dimensions. My DS ranked it:

Precal > Calc 2>> Calc 3> Calc 1> Stats
Where > means harder. He says there’s a lot more difficulty in Calc 2, and his school’s precal course was just terribly difficult.