<p>Do you have to test into this course? And what level of mathematics should you be at to enroll in it? I've qualified for USAMO and done pure math research for siemens and intel (regional finalist for former, semifinalist for latter). I took MVC at high school, but that was pathetic. I haven't learned linear alg yet. Would math 55 be too hard for me? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Did some more research, seems like Math 55 will probably be too hard for me.</p>
<p>Does anyone have links to Math 55 psets?</p>
<p>Math</a> 55a: Honors Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra (Fall 2002)
In theory, you should be able to handle it if you graduated from HS.</p>
<p>stupidkid, I have the first problem set that if given to the class. It was sent around by some of the kids in the freshman Facebook group. However, it's a document. Maybe if you PM'd me your e-mail or something I could send it to you.</p>
<p>I know of black MOPpers who took "only" 25. If you really want to do 55 you have to be willing to spend 40% of your entire week (yes, all 168 hours) on the one class.</p>
<p>^Yea for sure.
[quote]
Case in point: Ameya A. Velingker ’10 took Advanced Placement calculus his freshman year and ranked in the top 12 for the USA Math Olympiad the year after that. “It was a tough decision to drop,” Velingker says. “You’re around all these people who are beasts at math. But I realized it was not going to work out.”
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The</a> Harvard Crimson :: Magazine :: Burden of Proof</p>
<p>lol apparently someone who places in the top 12 in USAMO isn't a "beast" at math.</p>
<p>hahaha, well I think 55 combines excellence with hard work in such a way that you have to be performing at a high level for SEVERAL hours longer (maybe 2x as much, def. 10x what you would spend on 1 - 21)</p>
<p>Speaking of 55...ApiZ told me he's gonna take 55 + something else, where that something else is yet to be determined (lol @ copying arnav)...to which I can say nothing, but the guy does have 3 IMO medals rofl</p>
<p>I've heard the super crazy kids take math 55, Physics 16, and Chem 20 their first semester. The rest of us discover fire and cave painting.</p>
<p>lol clearly garbage considering chem 20 is only offered in the spring :P</p>
<p>Well I was only guessing on the Chem number. Chem 20 was the only post-LS 2 class I could think of :)</p>
<p>Nah, chem 30 (REPRESENT) is where it's at...</p>
<p>A friend who took 55 ALWAYS had his homework with him to work on whenever we went ANYWHERE.</p>
<p>DID he REALLY? :)</p>
<p>Dang all these IMO people flooding physics 16 really doesn't give me any comfort in taking the class :D</p>
<p>And how does someone who won USAMO drop out of 55? I mean, if you win USAMO, you can practically medal at IMO...</p>
<p>White Rabbit, I have yet to discover how to paint on caves but I am sure the experience will be worth mentioning on my resume.</p>
<p>I was talking to an american IPO team member yesterday on facebook, and he/she was telling me how he/she was worried about the workload of Physics 16 and math 25. All I could think of was "shoot, I'm going to have to compete with you second semester in Physics 15b." :)</p>
<p>Also, has anyone here ever heard of a sophomore being allowed to take either math 23 or 25 because they didn't have the math preparation to do it as a freshman but are better prepared after taking 21 a/b. I see in the cue guide that one student did it last year, but I was just wondering if he had to beg and plead to do it.</p>
<p>White Rabbit, I think the math sequences are designed so that jump from 21 and 23 is doable, even for a person who has only taken ap calculus in high school. If you don't think you can handle 23, then I think the math department recommends you taking a course in 100 series to learn how to proof things before diving into algebra, analysis, and topology. However, this all depends how far you want to go in math. If you plan to major in it, the better idea is probably to take 23 or 25 (though finals for the latter look like coded Egyptian hieroglyphics).</p>
<p>I'm hoping to do Physics-Mathematics, but I'm interested in pure math as well. So that is why I was hoping they might allow me to take 23 or 25 after I do 21 this year.</p>