<p>I put in my application ED to Columbia. I've been taking math courses at Columbia since the beginning of my junior year, and aced all the courses. Leaving out GPA, SATS, extra-cur.s etc., how much do you think the courses there help me out?</p>
<p>Care to add any insight into how the courses are taught at Columbia?</p>
<p>The course I took in my junior year was phenomenal- my professor was the son a field's medalist. He was straight brilliant. The classes are large, about 40 students in my experience, and there is less interaction between the students and the professors than there is at my high school with students and teachers. My professor this term doesn't even know my name, and it's rare that a student will say anything during the course. There isn't a lot of work- For my class last year there was one homework due every Wednesday and this term I have a total of 6 assignments for the entire term. There are midterm exams and and a final. Homework will be about 20-25% of the grade and the 2-3 exams will count for the rest. Remember, this is strictly referring to courses in mathematics. </p>
<p>I have also become friends with Columbia students, which is very nice. I hang out in the student center there and feel like I am an undergrad- it's a great experience.</p>
<p>Very interesting, do feel as if you have a comprehensive knowledge of the subject now that you've taken and done well in the course? That's one of the problem I see with math being taught at a high school level. Was the homework ever that challenging, how many hours did it take you? </p>
<p>When it comes to take courses at a college level, it is definitely a boost. It shows that you can handle a curriculum at a college level, at least on the math/science side of the spectrum. You now have a boost compared to other prospective math majors who have not taken Calculus or have not scored a 5 on AP. However, Columbia is renowned for its core curriculum, and its not very mathematics based. If you can show that you can handle the verbal side of your brain too, by SAT scores, grades, recs ect. you should be able to get. (Columbia is also very friendly towards legacies).</p>
<p>I feel that I know the subject matter as well as I know the subject matter for the high school mathematics courses I have taken. I have had exceptional math teachers at my high school though, so this may be an exception. My homework for the course last year would take me between 1-4 hours. This year, I can finish the homework in an hour or less. This year's course is significantly less challenging though.</p>
<p>I know that the core curriculum is one of the things that Columbia values most. But I feel that since I did well in Columbia courses, that is, I got an A but THEIR standards, what else do they need? I got 680 CR and 800 M on my SAT, and I'm a National Merit Commended Student. I also have a legacy at Columbia through my grandfather.</p>
<p>eh i don't know how much that will help you. There are about 20 people in my grade at my school taking or have been taking math classes at UNC-CH (some since freshmen year) and that doesn't seem to help at all. It just shows ur a little advanced in math. I think the best way to show math skills is to get into the MOP/IMO.</p>
<p>well I did get a 7 on the AIME, but didn't qualify for USAMO. Just because you want to show brilliance at math doesn't mean you need to be at THAT level. That's a very very slim percentage of the people who are interested in math.</p>
<p>hmm well u missed usamo by a little bit, but i think there are enough people applying to top schools like columbia that are extremely advanced in math (like up to graduate level) that taking one or two college math courses won't make a difference...eh thats what i think, but my school here is insanely competitive</p>
<p>ok thanks....</p>
<p>I missed USAMO by one question my junior year. I was pretty furious. :) Same with NMSF, missed by one point - 220, cutoff for MA was 221.</p>
<p>edit: also, I took harvard extension math classes - multivariate calc, linear algebra, etc - in soph/jr year of HS, and i think it helped, although I can't say how much.</p>
<p>N8M, what classes did you take at CU? Who were the professors?</p>
<p>Sincerely,
2006 math grad</p>
<p>I took Calc III and Probability with professors Dylan Thurston and Mark Brown, respectively.</p>
<p>probablity as in the 4150 one ? or the other one?</p>
<p>I would say it wouldn't help so much, simply because the courses aren't extremely hard. Calc III isn't a hard subject (you can take it without Calc II, which most people do), and Probabililty and Stats probably wasn't very hard either. Many many students applying to Columbia have taken basic multivariable calc and stats. I'm sure taking more advanced classes would help though, not only at Columbia but in general.</p>
<p>edit: and i would be extremely impressed if he took 4150. not many undergrads take it as it is a fast paced graduate course</p>
<p>the course is STAT W4105. PROBABILITY. Instructor: Mark Brown</p>
<p>And yes, most of the students in my class are graduates, and yes I am doing quite well in the course (97 average)</p>
<p>I don't think that many students applying to Columbia have taken multivariable calc and probability. Those are college courses not offered at most high schools. Also, I am taking the courses at COLUMBIA, so I am doing well by COLUMBIA's standards. If I can do well in the college's OWN courses, is there really a better representation of my ability to succeed as a student there?</p>
<p>It is impressive, and I'm sure it will help. Good luck.</p>
<p>thank you. Are you applying to UC Berkeley? Their app. is so much different than Columbia's!</p>
<p>i feel as though your AIME and other achievements are much better than "taking classes at COLUMBIA." A lot of students have taken multivariable classes, maybe not a majority, but a lot. Calc III is considered a freshmen 1st semester class; I wouldn't get over my head getting an A in that class because it is not too difficult, and it doesn't even cover the difficult parts of multivariable. I don't think taking classes at Columbia is much better than taking college courses at NYU, or CUNY. It's rather the level of the classes that matter, and I've not sure that the level of Columbia's freshmen math courses are more difficult that other courses. Don't get me wrong; i'm not saying that they don't help. college courses certainly help, but the fact that you're taking them at Columbia helps a little but not that much. And since you obviously are good at math, getting an A in calc 3 isn't a tremendous accomplishment. Are you allowed to register in the core classes? I would think that getting an A in Lit Hum or Contemporary Civ would be a LOT more impressive.</p>
<p>get a reccomendation from a prof =p as long as you are not sounding like they should admit you because you took a few class there and did well on them, I think that the classes will add some value.</p>
<p>I'd rather take the stat class under wright, he's briliant with the whole putting words in reverse alphabetical order thing.... (had to drop it this semester for going over credit limit since I wanted to get chem requirement overwith) sure seemed like an interesting class.</p>
<p>you guys put me to shame ;</p>