Taking Classes as a High School Student

<p>I want to take a multivariable calculus and a differential equations class next year, but my school only offers up to BC calculus. I wanted to know if Columbia allowed high school seniors to take some classes because I need to figure out what I will do for next year soon. So, does anyone have any information about this? I tried emailing Columbia but they didn't respond after a week. And, if Columbia does not offer classes for high school students, does anyone know of any schools that do that are either in NYC or Westchester, NY? I would go to my local SUNY (Purchase) or community college (Westchester CC), but they are not that great. I would much rather take a class at a much more reputable college. So, can anyone help me out? Thanks in advance.</p>

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I would go to my local SUNY (Purchase) or community college (Westchester CC), but they are not that great. I would much rather take a class at a much more reputable college.

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<p>Why do you think Calc III / DiffEq will suck at a college that isn't as reputable at CU? While neither is Columbia, it isn't like those are terrible schools. I would be willing to bet that you'll have a better experience taking those classes at a local college than you would by taking them at Columbia -- at a local college, you're more likely to have a professor who is a better teacher, who cares about his teaching, who cares about his students, etc. The math department at Columbia isn't known for having great teachers.</p>

<p>O alright, it's just that my teacher for BC calc said not to take a class at purchase or wcc.</p>

<p>I disagree with C02, the math department at Columbia has some fantastic teachers. Even Gallagher, while weird, is very effective at teaching... and Sean Paul is hilarious. I think there's a lot of added value to be had taking classes at columbia if you can A) make it there logistically and B) do well at them. The same would go for similar classes at NYU, Fordham, or even CCNY (who are more likely to be able to accomodate you). Just take the metronorth in - there's a fordham stop in the bronx, and 125th st can serve you for CCNY or columbia, etc.</p>

<p>An even more adventurous alternative would be getting a few students in your situation together, all of you enrolling in Stanford's Distance Learning Project through EPGY, and teaching the material to yourselves using their materials. Now THAT would be impressive - and would save you a lot of commute time.</p>

<p>thanks for the input denzera. a few kids in my school this year are doing the stanford thing, but they say that its not that good because they dont have the want to teach it to themselves. i dont know where ill take my class yet, but how do i register?</p>

<p>i think it's epgy.stanford.edu or something. google it.</p>

<p>the difference between what they're doing and what i'm suggesting is that if you can find other students in your situation, and organize a group to plow through the material together on an agreed-upon schedule, you accomplish 3 things:</p>

<p>1) Convince top schools that it's a reasonable approximation to a classroom-environment pace
2) Find life easier because you have each other to explain things, work on problem sets together, etc. Work is always easier in a team setting (Editorial: at least, until you get to the business world and have 5 meetings a day).
3) Most importantly, your initiative in finding such a team, making it work, and doing work that's above-and-beyond a high school curriculum will impress schools and make you stand out. That shows an extraordinary commitment both to leadership activities but also to academics.</p>

<p>It might be the best idea i've had all day. then again, i ain't done squat at work.</p>

<p>Gallagher is a cute old man and all but i dont know if i'd call him "effective" at teaching ~_~</p>

<p>just had a calc3 problem set due that had some proofs on it NO ONE knew how to do.</p>

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NO ONE knew how to do.

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<p>did u consult the engineers in ur class?</p>

<p>from my experience my calc III teacher was terrible and my ODE teacher was decent. Odds r, if you take the classes at columbia, u will be disappointed...both are lower level classes so they tend to have sub par professors.</p>

<p>Mao-Pei Tsui is a piece of work, too.</p>

<p>Columbia has a summer program for high school students. <a href="http://www.ce.columbia.edu/hs/about.cfm?PID=4%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ce.columbia.edu/hs/about.cfm?PID=4&lt;/a> The courses they offer don't seem to be very advanced though.</p>

<p>i think that program is really more of an internship opportunity for current students than it is a great summer opportunity for high schoolers</p>

<p>thanks u guys, but i found some more info. the elective studies program lets me take a college class as a hs student.</p>