My name is Sam, and I will be entering my freshman year of high school this year after summer break. I reside in California (moved in late august 2018)
I want to go to some prestigious university (thinking about UCLA) but have no definite plan on what kind of math I should be completing throughout my high school years in order to get into that college. So I need your recommendations on what classes I should take in order to get into that college
Here are some things you should know:
-In California, instead of having Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2, we have IM1, IM2, and IM3 (respectively). Though, each IM is essentially its respective subject with a couple of advanced things thrown into it.
-My middle school allowed 8th graders to take IM1, but since I moved California just last summer, I didn’t have the chance to take that opportunity. So throughout my 8th grade year, I spent my extra time studying integrated algebra I from “baron regents integrated algebra I” textbook and from khan academy. Right now, I am studying Geometry over the summer.
-My high school allows me to take two math classes each year
If you have any inquiries, please ask me.
Some California high schools have the traditional math courses (algebra 1, geometry, algebra 2), while others (like yours) have integrated math 1, 2, 3, with some combination of algebra and geometry in each.
If you know the material in integrated math 1, you can do the following:
9th: integrated math 2
10th: integrated math 3
11th: precalculus
12th: calculus
Otherwise:
9th: integrated math 1
10th: integrated math 2
11th: integrated math 3
12th: precalculus
You may have to ask the math faculty at the high school which course you are ready for.
You can possibly use CC to catch up by taking math classes there. To be competitive for say a UCLA I would think you would want to be able to take Calculus before HS ends, though it depends on what your intended major is.
What math progression depends on what major(s) you might have in mind. Obviously, STEM kids can need more math focus and stretch than comitted humanities kids.
But, it takes a lot more than getting the right courss and grades to get into a college that recently got 63,5000 applications from CA residents (plus out of state kids) and admitted 9300. Do all you can to inform yourself.There is a lot written about the UC processes.
Where can I learn more about the UC processes?
CC = Community College in this case.
@SomeKidNamedSam
UC requirements for admission: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/index.html
UC GPA is calculated based on 10-11th grades for the UC a-g course requirements. Freshman grades are reviewed to make sure you complete your a-g courses and Senior grades are not considered in the admission process but they are used to maintain your provisional admission if accepted.
You get extra honors points for your UC GPA with UC approved Honors/AP/IB or Dual enrollment courses taken 10-11th grades.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
After reviewing the UC website, if you have any other questions, please post them.
Here is the UC information specific to the Math requirements:
C) Mathematics
UC-approved high school courses
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. A geometry course or an integrated math course with a sufficient amount of geometry content must be completed. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades if the high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
SAT Subject Examination
Math Level 1: Score of 570 satisfies the two years of required elementary and advanced algebra.
Math Level 2: Score of 480 satisfies the two years of required elementary and advanced algebra.
AP or IB Examination
Score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics Exam satisfies elementary and intermediate algebra.
Score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC Exam satisfies two years of the requirement (but not geometry).
Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IB Mathematics HL exam satisfies two years of the requirement (but not geometry).
College courses
Three semester (4 quarter) units of non-transferable college courses in elementary algebra, geometry, intermediate algebra or trigonometry, with a grade of C or better, satisfy one year of the math requirement.
Grade of C or better in a transferable mathematics course of at least 3 semester (4 quarter) units that has intermediate algebra as a prerequisite satisfies the entire requirement. Freshman applicants cannot satisfy the entire 3-year requirement with a statistics course alone.
NOTE: All students must complete a geometry course or integrated math with geometry content. One transferable college course will not satisfy the full three-year math requirement.
How would I get into a CC and learn from there?
It sounds like you’ve tried to self-study a lot of the IM 1 material. If I were you, I’d email your counselor at your high school (or have one of your parents do it) and ask whether it would be possible to take a placement test to place into IM 2 this fall.
If you think you might want to end up in a STEM field at a competitive university like UCLA it would be helpful to be on track to get to Calculus by 12th grade. If you think you are more likely to want to study something in the arts or humanities, it’s fine to stay on the track you are on now.
@SomeKidNamedSam you can check with your local community college to see what the process is for enrolling and getting a math placement exam and then taking classes at a community college. Note that this is merely an option and perhaps not the best course of action in your case. What @washugrad suggested in the previous post probably makes more sense.
Get to 9th grade, then have a conversation with the guidance counselor (GC. Btw, comm college is usuallty “cc” and CC is “Coll Confidential.”)
And google. It’s all there.
But 9th grade is to soon to worry about any strategy besides doing well and working toward rigorous courses. And getting starte di some solid activities and sommunity service.
CC may refer to either community college or (these forums) College Confidential.
See with your GC whether you can start in im2.
@washugrad
She said that there weren’t any placement tests.
Can you ask a math teacher if there are any old integrated math 1 final exams that you can try to see if you know the material tested by them?
What’s the process to be placed in IM2?