<p>What level of math does the typical Caltech student come in with? What about physics/chemistry/biology/programming skill?</p>
<p>Math- Almost everyone has taken calculus, many people have taken some math beyond calculus (multivariate calculus or linear algebra, or both).</p>
<p>Physics- Most students have had AP physics or the equivalent, but not all. Even those who haven't still do fine, although it may take more work in phys 1a.</p>
<p>Chemistry- Everyone has at least had one year of HS chem, maybe about half have had AP chem. So far in chem1a, it hasn't really made a bit of a difference.</p>
<p>Biology- Everyone has taken a year of HS biology (it's required almost everywhere). I haven't taken Bi1 yet, so I don't know about AP biology, but I don't think any of my engineer friends have taken it.</p>
<p>Programming skill- Varies widely, some have none, some have a lot.</p>
<p>Almost everyone has a year of HS bio. It's more likely that someone has taken AP Calc and AP Phys as opposed to AP Chem/Bio but backgrounds vary greatly.</p>
<p>Good to know I'm not the only one who likes to see it spelled "multivariate"...:)</p>
<p>Almost everyone has taken Calc BC. It's rare to meet someone who only took up to AB, and I've yet to meet anyone who stopped at precalc.</p>
<p>I only know one person who has taken AP Calculus AB. Everyone else has taken at least BC or the equivalent. A good number have taken math past that, but people who only got up to AP Calculus are definitely in the majority. Of course, for math majors, this is probably not true.</p>
<p>I was kind of under the impression that calculus was a requirement to apply, but it might just be "highly recommended" or something.</p>
<p>I know a senior that took only up to calc ab! But she was told that she wouldn't get in.
Some schools don't offer calc bc...So caltech takes that into account. Ben wrote that calc bc not a definete must but only taking ab will hurt you.</p>
<p>...unless your school only offers up to AB, in which case we understand. For admissions purposes, it's important that we see a grade in calculus from you (which is one reason for deferrals -- if there's no semester calc grade yet for the early season). </p>
<p>As far as actual education goes, taking BC and doing well and perhaps reading the textbook a bit to know the stuff your teacher doesn't have time for will prepare you well for the Caltech math core curriculum. If you want to study math seriously, try your best to know a little more than the basics... but this doesn't necessarily require fancy college classes (especially if it would be a major pain to take them). Just reading some intro analysis or number theory or abstract algebra books (you can get them at the library or on Amazon) in your spare time will be going a long way toward getting you closer to "real" math.</p>