Haas: what MATH should i take if i plan to apply to Haas but got a 5 on AP Calc AB??

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>Hey everyone!</p>

<p>Thank you for answering :) I really appreciate it.</p>

<p>So, i'm gonna be a freshman at Cal this fall, and am planning to apply to Haas.
I got a 5 my junior year in AP Calc AB, which i was fairly competent in. I liked the class.</p>

<p>However, because I'm applying to Haas and need a good GPA and straight A's essentially, I'm not sure what MATH I should take my first 2 years.</p>

<p>I want to ensure that I get A's, BUT i don't want to take a class that it is way too easy such as MATH 16A-B. However, I hear that Math 1A-B is very hard just because Math 1B has a REALLY harsh curve.</p>

<p>Can I study up Calc this summer and try to skip directly to Math 53 to avoid taking 1B? Or is that a bad idea?</p>

<p>The pre-req for math 53 is MATH 1B, but people don't really check, right?</p>

<p>I've always been a good math student & i liked ap calculus ab, but i think i'm a kid who's good at calculus, not necessarily a crazy theoretical mathematician. </p>

<p>What would you all suggest?</p>

<p>thanks in advance! any help is appreciated :)</p>

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<p>bump Bump BUMP</p>

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<p>… wth?</p>

<p>p.s use the search function. there has been so many posts about this.</p>

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<p>umm i definitely have!! i cant find my specific situation anywhere.</p>

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<p>With only AB, you need one of the following:

  • 16A and 16B
  • 1A and 16B
  • 1A and 1B
  • 53 (normally, you would take 1B before 53)
  • 54 (normally, you would take 1B before 54)</p>

<p>[Exam</a> Credit, Undergraduate Programs, Berkeley-Haas](<a href=“Application Process - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas”>Application Process - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas)

</p>

<p>Normally, it would not be a good idea to take 53 or 54 without 1B or equivalent knowledge.</p>

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<p>It is impossible to understand the material in 53 without a strong command of 1B topics.</p>

<p>You will be crushed. </p>

<p>If you think 1B is hard because of the “curve” – no.</p>

<p>1B is a weeder course for a lot of general majors.
53 is a weeder course for a lot of techie majors.</p>

<p>Would you rather start by competing against the math hoi polloi? (bio majors, etc)
Or against those who are better at math than you? (engineers, etc)</p>

<p>Take 1B first. imho.</p>

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<p>crowslayer1: is Math 1B really that bad? as in, is it manageable to get an A?</p>

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<p>bump Anyone??</p>

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<p>…Just take the 16 series.</p>

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<p>1B is not bad at all…</p>

<p>…If you are competent at integral calculus.</p>

<p>Otherwise, easy to lounge and get a B based on what people used to say in the dorms</p>

<p>The 1 and 16 series hold equal weight in the eyes of Haas admissions. It is in your better interest to take 16B if you are defensive of your GPA.</p>

<p>It is a known fact that the majority of Haas students are soft and inevitably start crying when they see numbers. As a Haas student myself, I completely back this observation.</p>

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<p>kk 16 series it is! Can I then take Math 53 the next year if I want to? but the pre-req is Math 1B :(</p>

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<p>If you really want to take 53, just take 1B first and then take 53.</p>

<p>Do you consider yourself a math-fearing type who wants to avoid math as much as possible (take 16A-16B), or someone who likes math and is good at it and may find math to be a GPA booster (take 1B followed by 53 and/or 54)?</p>