<p>Thanks for the feedback to my post so far, and all the PM’s Guys. </p>
<p>One other question here–is there any real advantage for a math minor (or any student for that matter) going out of their way to get into the honors sections of Cal? It seems that the number of these classes–especially II and III is pretty limited and I’m wondering if the payoff for retooling your schedule or even waiting a semester for an honors section would really be worth it. Is there that much difference? D1 took Honors Cal I in '05 and liked it but also said she didn’t really notice any difference. She didn’t do a research project or extra paper or anything like she had to do in all her other honors courses, which, of course, might be hard to do in a cal class anyway. </p>
<p>The reason I ask is because D2 has just about decided to jump from the not-so-well-reviewed Honors Cal I teacher to a better reviewed Cal II teacher at the very same day and time and is wondering if she’s giving up any advantage or clout with this choice to go non honors. If it matters, she’s already in CBHP and honors psych. THanks again.</p>
<p>Bikedad</p>
<p>Bikedad: My son said that there is no problem not taking the honors calculus. In fact, when I mentioned that your daughter had CBHP and honors psych already, he said it would be in her best interest to stay with just two honors classes. CBHP will be time-consuming, particularly at the end of the semester when a huge project is due.</p>
<p>Montegut: Your son can take Honors Calc II in the spring. Sometimes, students need to take a non-honors or the honors sections because of scheduling. This is the case with my son. He needed to take a particular class at the particular time because of his scheduling (several other classes he has will meet only during the fall and only at one time). Your son needs to do what is best for him.</p>
<p>You can take honors Cal II if you took regular Cal I. There’s no restrictions.</p>
<p>I don’t know how a teacher can really “teach to an AP Cal test” when a teacher never sees the test and needs to prepare the student for anything an AP Cal test might have on it.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine that a kid could get a 5 on an AP Cal test, an A in the class, and not know calculus concepts pretty well.</p>
<p>D2 has just about decided to jump from the not-so-well-reviewed Honors Cal I teacher to a better reviewed Cal II teacher at the very same day and time and is wondering if she’s giving up any advantage or clout with this choice to go non honors.</p>
<p>I think she’s made the right decision to go with the non-honors Cal teacher. Any “clout” she’s going to have will come with more difficult math classes…not with Cal.</p>
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<p>I would say it’s better to overestimate the gap in academic rigor, pressure, and the overall environment between high school and freshman year of college than it is to underestimate it. I don’t say this to denigrate anybody but to give advise based on my own experiences.</p>
<p>And that doesn’t just apply to calculus courses.</p>
<p>In response to mom2k, well, I know lots of kids who got 5s on the AP tests and did not get an A in calculus. In fact, they barely got Bs in calculus. Yet, they’re going on to Calc II. An AP test is just that, a test, a snapshot, and I am sure there are topics that are not covered on the test that may come up as part of a calculus class. Since different students have different majors and different electives they choose, who’s to say the one topic you got lucky and didn’t see on the AP test that was your weakness is not going to be an important foundation in some of your later classes. </p>
<p>Glad there’s no restriction on honors/non honors, like there is in high school. Agree with momreads, there are going to be times when either the honors or non honors class is going to fit with your schedule. If you’re in an academic track that requires a sequence of courses, it’s good to know that you’re not limited to stay on an all honors or non honors sequence to complete your courses in the order required for your major.</p>
<p>I know lots of kids who got 5s on the AP tests and did not get an A in calculus. In fact, they barely got Bs in calculus</p>
<p>If you look again at what I wrote…</p>
<p>*I can’t imagine that a kid could get a 5 on an AP Cal test, an A in the class, and not know calculus concepts pretty well. *</p>
<p>*who’s to say the one topic you got lucky and didn’t see on the AP test that was your weakness is not going to be an important foundation in some of your later classes. *</p>
<p>That can happen in any sequenced class. If a prof in one sequenced class never taught a concept and never tested for it, then the student would move on to the next sequence without that info. We can’t “double take” every class to avoid that possibility. </p>
<p>and, again, I did say a 5 on the test and an A in the class. My kids have had no problem with skipping Cal I.</p>
<p>Oh, yes, I saw that, mom. I was saying that a lot of kids take comfort in the fact that they got a 5 on the AP, therefore, they must know the material, and do go straight into Calc II, regardless of how they did in the Calc AP class.</p>
<p>And sure, one can never be guaranteed that a professor will cover all material necessary to be prepared for a follow up class.</p>
<p>I feel it is a personal decision for each student as to whether they feel comfortable to skip the class or not.</p>
<p>Really, my hat is off to all of you on this forum, and their children, who were able to skip Calc I and go on to Calc II with no problems. </p>
<p>Good luck to all next semester, no matter what class you’re taking, and looking forward to the next four years with all of you as a Bama parent!</p>
<p>Well, after being adamant that she would take Honors Calc I and follow the advice of Dr. Wu, D has finally caved and moved to Calc II. The professor reviews were the determining factor. Just when you think it’s all figured out. . . .</p>
<p>As long as you feel that she had a good foundation in AP Cal with a good teacher, your D should do fine.</p>
<p>If she has any problems, she can go to tutoring for free. Both my boys tutor Calculus at the CTL.</p>
<p>Thanks mom2. She got a 5 on both AB and BC and A’s in the classes. I have always thought she’d be fine skipping but she was the one who was reluctant. She wasn’t worried about the material, just wanting to follow Dr. Wu’s advice.</p>