I’m an incoming freshman and I some questions related to my course selections.
Before I ask, I would like to state the situation I am in right now.
For a starter, I am (was) an eight grader taking AP Calc AB. I’ve always been proficient at math (qualified for AIME, took summer courses with a++s) and also am very interested in subjects pertaining to math i.e: physics, economics. And I know that I may sound like an over-achieving brat to some, but the truth is that I am so interested in learning. It’s not just that I love math, I love learning about math and its applications to other subjects or fields. Sometimes this leads to me being over-confident (e.g. thinking I should tank my finals without study) and extremely competitive (I even had a fight with some of my friends whom I have taken the same classes with).
However, unlike most “advanced” people, I am absolutely terrible at english and literature. I still take honor classes, but I always get an A because I do my HW and projects, but got a C- on my test.
I recently met with my freshman counselor and she was a little concerned because they haven’t really seen a student with such a varied skill set. I am planning to take BC freshman year.
Now, for the question:
After taking calc BC, do you think it is possible to take both multivariable calc and linear algebra in sophomore year and if so, do you think my counselors would allow it? I already watched numerous lectures on MITx of Professors Denis Auroux (multi) and Gilbert Strang (Linear) and I am already really hooked on and very anxious to take these courses.
I would appreciate it very much if you have taken both MVC and linear algebra in anytime of your life.
If your school offers it or offers dual enrollment with a community college or university, yeah you can probably take it. The problem is, you’ll most likely not have higher-level classes to take for 2 years, so I would encourage you to do Math Team or USAMO. Best of luck
Yes, both multivariable and linear algebra are semester long courses if you take them through dual enrollment. Other options include ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, probability and statistics (calc based) and discrete math just to name a few. If you’re not doing dual enrollment then your options are way more limited and if multivariable and linear algebra are offered as full year classes at your school you might wanna take one at a time just to fill up space. Other “mathyish” courses to take would include AP Stats, AP Physics C, and the AP Computer Science classes.
@snowfairy137
Are multi and linear usually year-long courses or semester-long courses? Even though I am going at a fast pace, I want to make sure I don’t have any holes and gaps before moving on.
For other “mathyish” courses, I am set to take them. I took CSA in 8th, planning to take C maybe sophomore and will take the stats and physics 1 this year.
My school does have dual enrollment to a near community college (and a pretty big one too). The reason I asked this post is that one of my math tutors (he teaches AIME/USAMO content + went to Caltech :P) did exactly what I was asking in the post. He took BC in freshman years, MVC and Linear alg in sophomore, and then took graduate Number Theory courses for junior and senior year.
Since he and I are very similar (both like NT), I was thinking I could do the same thing and take NT courses.
And as for math comp like USAMO/ARML/HMMT, I am willing to do those as well.
Up until now, your grades did and dindn’t matter. But now they really do if you want to have the most options for colleges of your choice. So start taking classes that you can do well in and also take them seriously.
Also think about what college you want to go to. Let’s say MIT is your dream. You take Multivariable Calc, Linear Algebra, Diff Eq at your CC or possibly local college…will you be prepared? Will you need to retake courses?
I think I would plan out your math so you have options for all 4 years…also make sure you are challenging yourself somewhat in English (keep up with at least Honors). Also work on doing well in your sciences as well.
I also do violin (would be 13 years when I apply for college) and I am most likely gonna pursue that. However, I am also looking at maybe taking some advanced math courses. If I didn’t play violin, my dream school would be Caltech/MIT/Princeton but since I play music, I may try some dual programs as well.
So far, math has been a breeze because I take great interest in proving formulas and theorems during class (like proving the power rule for differentiation) which gives me a great upper hand in classes. As I mentioned, I have looked at the syllabus and some content of multi and linear and they all seem do-able.
For english, I am trying to take the highest appropriate class so I can take both Lit and Lang in junior/senior year. Since I went to a private school, all the honors classes would seem easy (my school is generally a bit lenient on honors courses) so I would be taking all honors classes.
As for sciences, I already prepared what classes to take since I am interested in applied maths such as physics (not a huge fan of bio because it basically is asking to memorize how life works). My grades have been 3.80 UW and just a b+ on history doesn’t hurt.
Thanks so much for the feedback. Really helping me out as an incoming 9th.
