<p>Hey, I will be a freshman undergrad starting this fall. I'm also in a bit of a dilemma, the college I will be attending does not allow to test out of math classes, as a freshman unless you have college credits, the highest class you will be able to take (if you have ap credits) is Multivariate Calculus.</p>
<p>I took my high school's multi and linear class already (junior and senior year) and I understand these classes are not too extensive so I also self studied these courses with MIT ocw (also last summer I took a linear algebra class--under the books (a professor my friend knew let us sit in and take exams etc.)-- at a private college and got a 98.) Lastly, I am done with V. Arnold's ODE book and in the slow process of learning Real Analysis (though after AP's this shouldn't be /as/ slow, I surely plan on finishing this by mid june.)</p>
<p>I plan to talk to someone at the in the math department if I can possibly test out of Multi/Linear/DE. Any clues what I should say to try to persuade them? From what I can tell they are strongly against kids testing out of math class, they don't even offer the option.</p>
<p>By the way I will be double majoring in Math and Comp Sci.</p>
<p>I do not want credits for the classes I test out of, I just want the option to take harder classes.</p>
<p>If this is a highly selective college, it’s possible they don’t regard other colleges’ classes as comparable to their own. And they may be right. I don’t think there are any magic words you can say, just see if you can find someone helpful in the math department who may be able to help you or advocate for you. Tell them what you have done, and maybe you can see if they have any old final exams or anything you could take to show your competence. It’s possible that they’ve had bad experiences in the past with students jumping ahead and so they may be discouraging students from doing this, but if you really do know your stuff, hopefully a math professor will recognize that and intervene to help you. </p>
<p>A second possible issue could be whether the CS program is ABET accredited and whether that requires actual college credits. I’m just speculating about that, but perhaps it could explain a seemingly inflexible policy.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply!
It is not a selective college (Macaulay Honors program at Hunter, so it is a city school). I was thinking about asking them to sit in for the finals in the respective classes I want to test out of for this semester. I doubt it is anything with the CS program as we didn’t declare our majors yet. </p>
<p>I am sorry you are having this problem. You sound like a highly motivated and talented student. I hope someone in the math dept will be able to help you out. Good luck. Yes, try to get moving on this soon, because it’s possible someone may get you permission to place out if you can do well enough on the finals. Is there any kind of adviser or dean for the honors program you can discuss this with? Perhaps the school would be more willing to be flexible for students in the honors program?</p>
<p>Every kid in the honors program has a personal adviser, but they were not assigned yet. I will be going on Monday.</p>
<p>Thank you for the time and re-assuring words, only time can tell now. For closure, I will post a reply here on whether or not they let me. </p>
<p>Part of the problem may be that you took high school multivariable calculus and linear algebra courses, rather than (transferable) college courses. However, if they were actually College Now dual enrollment courses, then you may be able to get transfer subject credit for them.</p>
<p>On the other hand, these could be your “easy” courses for the semester. :-)</p>