Incoming freshman intending on Haas looking for help with a Math strategy. I recently received a 5 on my AP Calculus BC exam so I am eligible to skip Math 16A and Math 1A. But, I’m also looking to maintain a high GPA as grades are given considerable weight during the Haas admission process. The following are my options:
- OPTION 1: Take both Math 16A and 16B (best chance for A’s but worried how Haas will view the lack of rigor given my AP score i.e., could raise some eyebrows at the decision to take what appears on paper to be an easy class - Math 16A)
- OPTION 2: Take both Math 1A and 1B (improved rigor and shows my willingness to take challenging courses but lowers my chance for two A’s).
- OPTION 3: Skip Math 16A and just take Math 16B (safe bet and avoids some second-guessing)
- OPTION 4: Skip Math 1A and take Math 1B (is the reward worth the risk? I looked at some old exams and it wasn’t too difficult but why take an unnecessary risk?)
- OPTION 5: Skip both the Math 16 and 1 series and take either Math 53 or Math 54 (suicide?)
Your advice and recos are welcomed…keep in mind the goal is gain admission into Haas. Thoughts?
Thanks!
If you are not required to take any math classes because you got a 5 on your BC Calc, then option 3 sounds most sensible. There are better courses to get A’s while not hurting your rigor on your transcript.
You should go thru some of the tests that are published online at UCB for 1A and 1B and see where you stand. I think the school also just sent out an email describing a new program designed to help place you for math.
If you really did well on the BC class (got an A second semester) then #5 is not a bad option and go with Math 53 and/or 54. My kid agonized all summer over this same issue and at the end decided to skip both 1A and 1B. He thought that retaking the Calc classes was a GPA booster but he could easily fall into this trap and get Bs or even Cs as well.
What other majors are you considering besides business? That can affect what math courses you need or would find useful.
Options 1 and 2 look like just a waste of schedule space (assuming that you know the 16A and 1A material well based on looking at old exams), since you need only one of 16B, 1B, 53, or 54 for business.
If you mean https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/aleks , it looks like it is more focused on students who have not yet had calculus (or who did poorly in high school calculus and/or the AP exam) to see if they are ready for 1A or 16A, rather than students who have had high school calculus and/or high enough AP scores and may want to start in a course more advanced than 1A or 16A.
Yeah that’s the one. I bugged my kid to take a look at the email and my kid told me to take a hike. Now I know why LOL.
Right now Economics is my backup major and doesn’t require the more advanced math classes. But, I don’t really know what I’m going to enjoy. I’m good at math but don’t necessarily want a math heavy major. I’m all in on Haas but recognize there’s only a 30+% chance of getting in.
If you are interested in the more mathematical version of economics (101A,101B,141 instead of 100A, 100B, 140; electives like 104 and C103; possible goals economics PhD or quant finance), then Math 53 and 54 are necessary. Otherwise, a 5 on BC fulfills the math requirement for the economics major.
ORMS is another major that can be of interest, but it also needs Math 53 and 54.