<p>I was wondering how strict the guidelines on the AP reference table are (Advanced</a> Placement and Advanced Standing - Princeton University). Do the departments often allow students to take courses whose requirements they don't quite meet (for example, let's say I scored a 5 on Microeconomics, 4 on Macro, and a 5 on Calc AB: would they even consider letting me take Econ 200?) More importantly, assuming they are flexible, would it even be advised to do so? I'm not sure if these requirements would mean "bare minimum to succeed" or just a general level that is strong preparation for the subject matter of the recommended course.</p>
<p>I ask this mainly in reference to econ and math. I enjoy econ, but I'm not entirely interested in taking a full semester of macro again unless I really felt I would get a lot more out of it--let me know if I would!. As for math, I'd love to take a proof-based course since as an intended physics major I won't feel I'll have another opportunity, but I have only 700 on SAT Math, though I only did take it once, so I'm not sure if I would've scored higher.</p>
<p>In general, prerequisites at Princeton are not taken very seriously. If you email the professor and express a genuine interest in taking the course, he or she will probably let you take it. ECO 200 is an exception. The department limits the class to 30 students, and a lot of people (in comparison) would like to take it, so one way of solving the problem is by being very strict about the prereqs. I would encourage anyone who has double 5's in AP Econ to take the class. It's team-taught by three of the best professors in the department, and last fall, John Nash gave the class a guest lecture.</p>
<p>Unless you teach yourself the BC material this summer, you'll pretty much be forced into taking 104 first semester. Assuming that you teach yourself BC, you could probably persuade the department to let you into a 200 level math course. As a physics major, you're best off signing up for MAT 203. Many of the more hardcore physics majors take MAT 215, but I wouldn't really recommend this with your SAT Math score. PHY 105 is pretty challenging by itself. You can always take MAT 215 later if you decide it's something you're interested in. A friend of mine majoring in physics is doing this, taking MAT 215 as an elective as a sophomore.</p>
<p>The best way to get into courses that you technically shouldn't be in is to contact the professors. Get the professor's approval in an email and forward this to your adviser. Don't just try to convince your adviser because if they aren't very familiar with the course you're considering, they'll be want to do things by the book.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your help. I had no idea ECO 200 was like that: I suppose I'll have to think long and hard about whether I really want to go through macro again. That's a shame about MAT 215: I wasn't really sure how much of a difference it made, especially those I personally know who scored in the appropriate range scored around where I did their first time. This is where I'll kick myself for not taking it again and knowing for sure if I'm capable, but I'm sure I'll be happy in 104, especially if I can take PHY 105.</p>
<p>One more thing about 215, the vast majority of those who score in the appropriate range do not take the course. The median SAT math score of those who do take it is probably 800 (first sitting). Now you could always just convince your adviser to let you sign up for it anyway. You'll know very soon if you're able handle it.</p>
<p>So after not studying at all or doing any homework all of 4th quarter, I got a 3 on BC Calc -- not unexpected, but still disappointing. I got a 780 on Math II and 740 on the regular SAT, and have always had good but not perfect grades in honors/AP math classes. I love math but am not naturally good at it. Which class should I take in the fall? Is there a math for economists course or anything? What's it like? And does stats really suck as much as everyone says?</p>
<p>You should take 104. It's too bad because if you had gotten a 4, you would have been able to take MAT 200, the math for economists course. MAT 200 teaches you the parts of multivariable calculus and linear algebra that are most used in economics. Be aware that it's a terminal course in the math department--it doesn't prepare you well enough to take higher numbered math courses. Stats is a really easy subject, but the curve depends on which class you take--ECO 202 or ORF 245. ORF has more science and engineering majors, so the curve is tougher, but you also learn more.</p>
<p>Is 104 reasonable if you've only taken AB? I plan on taking it first semester, but am worried it'll be over my head since so many kids will have already mastered BC material are just in it for an easy, curve-blowing grade.</p>
<p>103 and 104 are both pretty dull, so you should definitely skip 103 if you have AP credit. Doing so opens up a slot for a more interesting course. If you did well in AB, you will be fine. The kids who have already "mastered" BC and enroll in 104 anyway generally aren't the best math students. :)</p>
<p>thanks :) do you think it's worth it go over topics my class didn't complete (all I can think of is the taylor series) on my own?. I did well in AB without learning it, but don't want to be behind.</p>
<p>I took 201 without taking 104, and it was fine. I had taught myself AB calculus in highschool, and had taken some of the BC part, but had only gotten a 4 on the AB test. I had taken physics at princeton already (105-106), which had taught much of 201, and a lot of the BC that I hadn't learned- like taylor series. A lot of the math past 103-104 isn't actually all that sequential. You can always start out in 201 and drop down to 104.</p>
<p>I don't think MAT 200 is "fun" - it's full of econ majors who need to fulfill math requirements to do math track or finance, and the curve is really tough. If you're into math you're better off doing MAT 201 and 202. </p>
<p>Princeton tries to push you to the highest math course that you can handle (if you get a 4 on BC they recommend MAT 203) so most people drop down a level from what is recommended. MAT 215 is pretty tough so I wouldn't start off with that.</p>