Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 10:35     Subject: Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you all, DC decided to take MVC in senior year along with AP Physics 1 as there is no space for double period AP physics C. Enrolled for PLTW and wants to do engineering. He did not do calculus AB, but switched from Honors pre calc to Calc BC. His grades in Calc BC are a B(87-88%). Do you think with the B in BC he can manage MVC with skipping Calc AB?


Probably.


Calc AB = Calc 1
Calc BC = Calc 2
MVC = Calc 3.

If he has an 87-88% in Calc BC, he will be fine moving to MVC. BC covers the AB material.

At our school, each Physics C course is a separate period rather than a double period. This means that kids can take Mechanics one year and E&M another year. Are you sure the physics courses are a double period? I would not recommend AP Physics 1--just take H. Physics. Physics 1 is hard and most schools do not award college credit for it. They are expecting to see Physics C for a strong STEM kid. For electrical engineering, E&M is more in line than Mechanics. Electromagnetism is covered in Physics 2.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 09:39     Subject: Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP with a rising senior in a similar situation. If my DC took (is taking) AP Calc AB junior year, which math class should DC take senior year—MVC or AP Calc BC?

Current math teacher recommended MVC but engineering teacher said it would be better to take AP Calc BC if planning on applying to engineering programs for college.


My DC (class of ‘25) took AP Calc AB junior year and MVC senior year. They worked hard in the class and the material was manageable. Scored very well on the UMD exam.
.

Thank you very much, any materials you can recommend so he can start early?
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 07:52     Subject: Re:Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you, am the original PP, thanks for info on physics, does DS need to take multi variable calculus or APStats fine?


He should take MVC.


My kid didn't take MVC but took APStats his senior year instead. His school did not offer MVC. Admitted to Top 10, Top 20. Engineering currently at Top school.

Thats a lot of "tops".
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 21:35     Subject: Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Anonymous wrote:NP with a rising senior in a similar situation. If my DC took (is taking) AP Calc AB junior year, which math class should DC take senior year—MVC or AP Calc BC?

Current math teacher recommended MVC but engineering teacher said it would be better to take AP Calc BC if planning on applying to engineering programs for college.


My DC (class of ‘25) took AP Calc AB junior year and MVC senior year. They worked hard in the class and the material was manageable. Scored very well on the UMD exam.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 19:43     Subject: Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Any enrichment we can put in summer for MVC?
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:39     Subject: Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all, DC decided to take MVC in senior year along with AP Physics 1 as there is no space for double period AP physics C. Enrolled for PLTW and wants to do engineering. He did not do calculus AB, but switched from Honors pre calc to Calc BC. His grades in Calc BC are a B(87-88%). Do you think with the B in BC he can manage MVC with skipping Calc AB?


Probably.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 15:29     Subject: Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Thank you all, DC decided to take MVC in senior year along with AP Physics 1 as there is no space for double period AP physics C. Enrolled for PLTW and wants to do engineering. He did not do calculus AB, but switched from Honors pre calc to Calc BC. His grades in Calc BC are a B(87-88%). Do you think with the B in BC he can manage MVC with skipping Calc AB?
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 09:45     Subject: Re:Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you, am the original PP, thanks for info on physics, does DS need to take multi variable calculus or APStats fine?


If applying to engineering, they should definitely take Multi-Variable over statistics.


Only if HS school offers it. If not, take stats.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 09:44     Subject: Re:Courses needed in high school related to engineering

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you, am the original PP, thanks for info on physics, does DS need to take multi variable calculus or APStats fine?


He should take MVC.


My kid didn't take MVC but took APStats his senior year instead. His school did not offer MVC. Admitted to Top 10, Top 20. Engineering currently at Top school.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2026 07:32     Subject: Courses needed in high school related to engineering

AP physics C if school offers. They will be at a disadvantage if they don’t. If E&M is too hard, EE and CE are not the major for.