Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 10:59     Subject: Re:HS Math- which class to take
One comment about not repeating calc classes in college:

We went on a tour of a "nerdy-ish" college yesterday; the guide was a math/econ/data science major. He told my kid that as a math major, students generally start over with Calc 1 because the math honors classes are all proof-based and it's pretty tough. Point is, AP calc may not count for credit at all colleges.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 22:49     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Op here- agree stats is more useful but seems MV considered more rigorous. Appreciate comment about research.

Would love to have kid take both but no room in schedule. AP science classes are double period. And there are many requirements overall. MCPS.


If only room for 1 math, then MV Calc for sure. Is it 1/2 MV and 1/2 LA in MCPS?


If there is adequate demand they will send a dual enrollment professor to the HS and do one semester MVC and one semester LA. The regular class taught by a HS instructor is a full year of MVC.

Our HS was supposed to offer both the DE and the regular MVC option this year but cancelled the DE option. Maybe lack of interest?
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 22:29     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Op here- agree stats is more useful but seems MV considered more rigorous. Appreciate comment about research.

Would love to have kid take both but no room in schedule. AP science classes are double period. And there are many requirements overall. MCPS.


If only room for 1 math, then MV Calc for sure. Is it 1/2 MV and 1/2 LA in MCPS?


Hmmm- I don’t think so. It’s a full year MV

AP Stats could be taken as a semester course and then Linear Algebra the other semester. Not a common way to do it but a teacher mentioned this as an option. MV is considered higher rigor I think.

Yes only room for one math.
Yes also taking AP Chem in 12th which is double period.

Only room for one elective and kid really wants to do AP psych.

I Guess will do stats in college.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 14:03     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Anonymous wrote:Op here- agree stats is more useful but seems MV considered more rigorous. Appreciate comment about research.

Would love to have kid take both but no room in schedule. AP science classes are double period. And there are many requirements overall. MCPS.


If only room for 1 math, then MV Calc for sure. Is it 1/2 MV and 1/2 LA in MCPS?
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 13:57     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Op here- Thank you. Seems there’s a clear winner. Lol. For the poster who said their kid took no math in 12th, our school system requires math every yr of HS.
Would be great if kid doesn’t have to repeat MV in college- will see.


08:50 PP here.
My son said that his college Calc 3 class was about 50% the same material. (If you're coming from FCPS, they don't go fully in depth for the Calc 3 curriculum.) He appreciated having an easy class during the first semester of his freshman year. He took Diff Eq in his spring semester and felt very well prepared.

He LOVED his AP Stat class. So much so that he is minoring in statistics.


My junior taking AP calc BC and AP stats also has really enjoyed stats (and found it pretty easy, including the exam). I think it’s likely he pursues it further in college.

I understand OP’s question is mostly about rigor, and I agree that taking MV/linear algebra if offered and if the kid wants engineering is probably the move. But AP stats is a useful class that a lot of math kids really enjoy. Smart to take it if offered and looking for an elective.


Take stats if your kid has the interest to do it, but top stem schools really want to just see that you have taken Calc AB and BC and received an A. Switching out stats for another AP Science would be just as effective.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 13:50     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Op here- Thank you. Seems there’s a clear winner. Lol. For the poster who said their kid took no math in 12th, our school system requires math every yr of HS.
Would be great if kid doesn’t have to repeat MV in college- will see.


08:50 PP here.
My son said that his college Calc 3 class was about 50% the same material. (If you're coming from FCPS, they don't go fully in depth for the Calc 3 curriculum.) He appreciated having an easy class during the first semester of his freshman year. He took Diff Eq in his spring semester and felt very well prepared.

He LOVED his AP Stat class. So much so that he is minoring in statistics.


My junior taking AP calc BC and AP stats also has really enjoyed stats (and found it pretty easy, including the exam). I think it’s likely he pursues it further in college.

I understand OP’s question is mostly about rigor, and I agree that taking MV/linear algebra if offered and if the kid wants engineering is probably the move. But AP stats is a useful class that a lot of math kids really enjoy. Smart to take it if offered and looking for an elective.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 13:47     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Op here- agree stats is more useful but seems MV considered more rigorous. Appreciate comment about research.

Would love to have kid take both but no room in schedule. AP science classes are double period. And there are many requirements overall. MCPS.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 13:43     Subject: Re:HS Math- which class to take
Anonymous wrote:My DC took MV and got the credit from GMU so they did not have to take it again college.


That's the best way to do it if one can.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 13:15     Subject: Re:HS Math- which class to take
My DC took MV and got the credit from GMU so they did not have to take it again college.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 13:10     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Anonymous wrote:my sophomore will be taking multi/lin/ junior year and diff senior year.

will still take ap stats at high school. you have 6 or 7 classes to take. science/math/history/english/foreign language

stupid not to take ap stats as schedule lets you


Welp..wasn't stupid for my kid after Calc AB and BC his junior year. Trust me...he did just fine this last admissions cycle.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 12:43     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Anonymous wrote:Op here- Thank you. Seems there’s a clear winner. Lol. For the poster who said their kid took no math in 12th, our school system requires math every yr of HS.
Would be great if kid doesn’t have to repeat MV in college- will see.


08:50 PP here.
My son said that his college Calc 3 class was about 50% the same material. (If you're coming from FCPS, they don't go fully in depth for the Calc 3 curriculum.) He appreciated having an easy class during the first semester of his freshman year. He took Diff Eq in his spring semester and felt very well prepared.

He LOVED his AP Stat class. So much so that he is minoring in statistics.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 12:27     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
OP, not sure if you will come back to this thread but ask the question 2 steps down the road. If kid wants to do research in college AP Stats will help him more in landing an internship position. If not take MV. Either way kid will get into a reputable engineering school.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 12:02     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
my sophomore will be taking multi/lin/ junior year and diff senior year.

will still take ap stats at high school. you have 6 or 7 classes to take. science/math/history/english/foreign language

stupid not to take ap stats as schedule lets you
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 10:01     Subject: Re:HS Math- which class to take
My junior kid is currently taking calc bc and stats as an elective. Stats has been a breeze. I don't think he even studies for it; said AP exam he just took was also super easy.

MV Calc/Linear algebra as senior is the way to go. It may not be college level but at least they will have been introduced to it before tackling it in college.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2025 09:57     Subject: HS Math- which class to take
Even if you repeat MV in college it will help get a leg up in those early engineering classes.

One of my MV professors in college was a wee bit insane and we had to basically teach ourselves anyway.