Advice?

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hey. I am a rising high school senior, and I really need some input from the more experienced adults on the forum. Here is my problem:</p>

<p>I took Algebra 1 in 8th grade, and by doing so was able to complete all of the math classes my school offers for students on the standard diploma (Geompetry, AlgebraII/Trig, PreCal). My school doesn't offer APs.</p>

<p>Technically speaking, I don't have to take any Math next year, but I assumed that it would be to my advantage to take classes at the community college here in town. I took the COMPASS placement test yesterday morning, and placed into MTH125 (Calculus 1).</p>

<p>I have been told by some people to take Cal next year, while others told me to drop back into MTH115 (PreCal). I did poorly in AlgebraII, but well in PreCal this year. What should I do, in your opinion?</p>

2

<p>If you've already taken precalc and done well in it, why would you take it again?</p>

3

<p>Ditto Beck. Take Calc.</p>

4

<p>Take Calc cause colleges will make you take Calc anyways.</p>

5

<p>Take calc - it sounds like you'll probably do well in it. You've already done pre-calc so it'd be pointless to take it again.</p>

<p>I wonder why your school doesn't offer calc? It's really becoming a necessity if the students there are to compete well for entering college. How are they with other APs (Ap Physics, bio, chem, psych, stats, Lit/Lang, Spanish, etc.)?</p>

6

<p>We don't have any AP's, and our Math department is apparently poor.</p>

<p>I wish we did. :(</p>

<p>Oh--I have a correction--I met all of the requirements for the Advanced diploma, not standard.</p>

7

<p>You don't mention what fields you are considering for college majors, nor what type of schools you are targeting. I agree with the advice you have been given above, but that might change depending on what your future plans are. Although I certainly would never recommend that you re-take a math class you have already completed. Rather that you might take some other subject entirely.</p>

8

<p>I'm going to major in English and Education, most likely at a State U (hopefully U of Maryland).</p>

9

<p>I still think taking calc would be a good idea, but if you don't want to take it for some reason I would look into taking statistics or discrete or linear algebra or some other topic in math rather than retaking precalc.</p>

10

<p>What was the break down of your Compass scores (you should have 3 different scores--Alg., College Alg., and Trig)? What math will you need in college? You should probably take Calc. if you think you can handle it and it will enhance your chances of some kind of merit aid. If it is likely to hurt your GPA and you know that you will not go into a field which will requires math, you have the option of doing some other math--Stats?</p>