Is this a good plan

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

Hi, I’m not very interested to get into MIT though I was wondering if should attempt to get in if I did these things.

I made a list of courses I would most likely take during my college years (engineering or physics I haven’t yet decided). And a list of some courses I want to learn for fun. I wanna note that I didn’t do this for the sake of getting into a good school but recently (1 year ago) I suddenly became super attached to math and now it became more of a hobby.

Anyways, here is the list: General Calculus (I, II, & III), Differential Equations, Differential Calculus, Partial Calculus, Linear Algebra, Complex analysis (I, II), Numerical Analysis (I, II), functional analysis, Introduction to analysis (I, II, III), and Abstract algebra (I, II, III).

and for the courses I’m taking for fun, they are: Differential Geometry, Graph/Number theory, Probability, Topology (I, II), and Riemann Geometry.

I’m aware that before taking this courses I have to learn the basics first, which is why I will first learn Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Pre-cal, AP AB Calculus, and AP BC Calculus before taking any of the courses mentioned above. I have already finished reviewing Algebra 1 and I’m currently in Algebra 2. I’m also aware that I won’t be able to do all of the courses (probably), but I just couldn’t hand the curiosity on what college math is like, so I still want to give it a try.

I’m also very interested in getting into math circles and AMC competitions as well as Phi Alpha Theta competitions as well (although I’m not very sure how to apply).

I had some doubts when it came to choosing my courses in math. I’m currently taking algebra 2, and I was thinking that during the summer I can take pre-cal to take AP BC Calculus in 11th grade, I was thinking of taking AP BC Calculus during the summer in EDX where I would pay for a certificate though I don’t know if any college would accept a certificate from edx. After taking AP BC Calculus during summer I would try to get into DE Calculus 1/2 (since my school offers DE courses). Therefore giving me credit and not have to take Calculus 1/2 during college and getting straight into Calculus 3. Could this be possible?

2

I also forgot to mention my grades. I will admit, I had a very anti-school attitude in the past, I didn’t like learning in school however over the years I started to realize that school is important to get an (at least) decent job and to be a well-rounded individual. My grades consist of mostly A’s and some B’s, I got an 800 on my psat but that’s because I was very anti-school and didn’t care. I do care of my sat score and want to get a decent grade (around the scale of 1400-1600) I’m also planning on taking the ACT and hoping to get around 28-31.

3

Here is MIT’s math credit for AP classes. the AP classes AB and BC calculus overlap by 50% but some high school students do take both to review calculus.

http://uaap.mit.edu/first-year-mit/first-year-academics/incomingcredit/previous-study/ap-and-transfer-credit-advanced-placement
Note that MIT does not offer Calculus 1, 2, 3. They offer that material in one year, in two classes, 18.01 and 18.02.
You can look at MIT Open Course to see the content. 18.01 is about the same as Calculus BC. 18.02 is Calculus 3 at most colleges.

4

I wouldn’t plan too far if you’re still in Algebra 2. “Real” math is quite a bit different. However, if you sustain your interest in math, there are lots of great colleges besides MIT where you can take all these classes and more.

5

I don’t see a reason to pay for a certificate for an ed-ex class. You can take the AP exam in June and send your scores into whichever school you end up attending. At MIT I’m pretty sure you need to take a placement test in order to be exempt from taking 18.01. At other schools you might be exempt or get credits depending on your AP score. I homeschooled one of my kids through high school. He took a few Edx classes, and we noted them on his transcript, but we didn’t pay for any certificates. He got accepted to many good schools and received merit scholarships. None asked for a certificate to prove he took the classes.

6

@UglyMom. MIT students can place out of 18.01 at least three ways. Score a 7/7 on the HL Physics Exam (IB exam). Score a 5/5 on the AP Physics C exam, or take an MIT placement exam in the fall of the freshman year. There may be other ways, see the MIT website. MIT Physics department is one department that will let students place out. Chemistry department is more picky. But then all MIT students must take 18.02, or pass the MIT placement exam,
there is no placing out of the second semester institute requirement, even if the student says they studied electricity and magnetism. MIT will only place students out of one semester of physics so that all students take an actual MIT physics class to get any degree, or take the 18.02 final and pass it. Any class at MIT can be placed out of at any time, so if an MIT junior studies 8.04 over the summer between sophomore and junior year, and takes the placement exam at the beginning of junior year and passes, then he/she gets credit for 8.04.

7

@Coloradomama, I think you are agreeing with me then, that there is no reason necessary to pay for a certificate for an ed-ex class. Taking ed-ex classes and recording them on a transcript will show interest and the level the student studied on their own. It will not place a student out of a specific class.