<p>So here’s my situation, CC. Because I moved here from a different town, I was put on an “accelerated” math program and I will have exhausted my high school’s mathematics curriculum (which ends at BC Calc) by the end of this year. The problem, is that next year, I will be a senior without a math class. I’m worried because my math stuff (competitions, classes, etc) is probably the strongest piece of my resume and I don’t know how it will look to colleges for a “math-focused” senior to not be taking any math classes at all.</p>
<p>TL;DR, Two Questions:</p>
<li><p>How would not taking a math my senior year look to colleges?</p></li>
<li><p>How can I best solve this problem? (fyi: my math department head says that the school won’t pay for any college courses I take)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Stanford's EPGY has on-line and cd rom courses in advanced math - though it costs a bit, if you can afford it, it could be your answer. Kids I know who are in this position also take a math course at a local college... one of them even has a special reduced price for high school students.</p>
<p>If there is a nearby community college you can probably take classes like multivar calc, diff eq's, linear algebra. You can probably get admitted to the college within a few hours if you go over to the admissions office after school.</p>
<p>while most of the post-BC seniors move on to AP stats at my school, some choose to go to community college to take multivariable calc. quite common at my school. however, the vast majority of us are content with just chilling in AP stats, getting an easy A, and enjoying the senior lifestyle :)</p>
<p>I am in your boat but I'm lucky enough to have a teacher that offered to do an independent study with me in more advanced calc. </p>
<p>I would follow everyone else's advice and see if you can enroll in a community or otherwise local college. Talk to your guidance counselor; see if you can squeeze your school for some money.</p>
<p>Sounds from the description like you do well at and enjoy math. If this means you'll likely major in a math/science, why risk having to explain a gap in your transcript? Take the advice noted above and check out online options (JHU-CTY has it for linear algebra (my S is taking it now), multivariable calculus and differential equations.) Here in CA, HS students can take community college classes at no charge except for the textbook.</p>
<p>If I take classes at a college, is there any way I can get my school or the state (NJ) to help pay for it? (I've tried talking to my guidance counselor about it, but she doesn't seem to know much)</p>
<p>"What role does your teacher play in independent study?"</p>
<p>He gives me a book and a list of problems that I "would be wise to do" and says "test in about two weeks or so."</p>
<p>With that said, if I have any questions he's open to explaning concepts but the expectation is that I learn from the book primarily and use him as a resource if necessary.</p>
<p>You should definitely look to take a class at a local CC, which will look great (the next best thing would be an independent study). Prices are usually quite reasonable but you could probably find a program to let you take it for free.</p>
<p>At my school district there are two programs:
Concurrent Enrollment:
Tuition is free - you pay for any room/board, books, etc that you may need
You can take ANY course offered at the school</p>
<p>College Experience:
Tuition and books are free - you pay any room/board (unlikely since I commute), etc.
You can choose from a list of pre-approved courses</p>
<p>Basically if you think your school/counselor is not very knowledgeable check with local community colleges. They should know of any programs they participate in (since the community college needs to agree to accept high school student for free from some program) that let you get in free of charge. If nothing else you can check out their prices to see if it's worth it. You shouldn't ditch the idea immediately due to price, but if it's too much you'll probably just have to live without. Though I recommend going for it if you can.</p>
<p>Same thing happened to me. Finished all math courses my school has to offer last year, with the exception of one distance-learning class with a local university. Ended up not taking it b/c of schedule conflicts, so this year, I am completely without a math class.</p>
<p>Hasn't hurt me so far. They'll understand if you don't take a class, I think. If you have another class you want to take, go for it! :)</p>
<p>Hmmm. If I may suggest something -- perhaps instead of moving on to another area of study, maybe spend the time [if you're doing independent study] really learning the basic theory behind calculus, at the level of something like Caltech's first course. I found multivariable calculus was just a whole bunch more techniques, and it wasn't the best way to really get excited about the math. This would perhaps also be a more unique endeavor, and I see it being more useful.</p>
<p>Because in the end, when you gotta learn classes, you will learn them faster than if you're just studying on your own...and I find sometimes when working on your own, it's most productive to gain a more mature understanding of stuff that may be closer to familiar [though not all known].</p>