wowzerz2010

Ok hi im new on this site but like most new ccer's i've been hovering for a while. Anyways i came here with a question. I'm starting as a freshman at this prep school after public primary school for nine yrs(k-8th) and i completed algebra in grade 8. but when i took the test at the prep school to go into algebra 2 i didn't pass. keep in mind i was nervous and apparently the prep school teaches more in their level one than my middle school did. i found this out by having a personal meeting w/the math chair. it is now the end of the summer and after the meeting the math chair has decided to give me a chance in level 2. and gave me a week to consider this option. if i get below a B- then i get put back into algebra 1 but no grade penalty so it will not affect my gpa. which is the only reason im even considering this after all i have a goal of either Northwestern or Yale for undergraduate school. so basically i want to know do u think it would be wise of me to go into algebra 2 or stay in algebra one. despite my college goals.

and could u look at my freshman schedule and co-curriculars and tell me if they r good for someone shooting for an elite school after going to a very elite high school.

Biology I- (no honors offered)
World Civ (switching to honors second semester)
English 9-Honors
Religion/Computer (both required)
Algebra II-Honors (if i decided to go with honors)
Physical Education (also required)
Spanish I (my middle school only got to chpt. 4 by end of yr. so i have to repeat this class)

Co-Curriculars

Model UN
Student Ambassador
Amnesty International
Debate Team (school was #1 in Nation in 2005)
Black Student Union (yes im an URM)
Newspaper
Young Democrats Society
Chemistry Team
Federal Challenge Team
and
If im excepted
Mayors Youth Council...won't know until August
and
In the Summer
Northwesterns summer gifted program
so tell me what u think

GreenDayFan

Well you have way too many activities. Colleges will see that and think, Jack of all Trades, Master of None. And how would you even have time for all of them? Narrow down that list and devote a lot of time to them instead of spreading yourself too thin. Trust me if you show that list to colleges they'll think you did it all just for college.

Now about the schedule, your classes are fine. I think you should take Algebra 2, because honestly they spend A LOT of time reviewing Algebra 1 anyway and colleges will be more impressed, especially if you're aiming for Yale.

mr_chipset

Take AlgII. hehehehehe

surge

You are seriously lacking in the "extra-curricular" department. I hope your planning on participating in more ECs than listed above..

Masterus

So you're allowed Algebra 2 first before Geometry? Then maybe I was right about my friend taking it.

GreenDayFan

Yeah at my school we take Alg2 before geom. too

Masterus

Honors level as well right?

What was your score? What was the total? How much did you need to pass?

unwritten02

yeah i'd go with the AlgII, that way (at least this is the way my school does it for the most part) you can do AlgII for 9th, Geom for 10th, PreCal 11th, and Calc 12th

GreenDayFan

are you asking me, Masterus?

Yeah it was honors level. What do you mean my score? for the class?

Masterus

Not you, I'm talking to the Thread Host.

GreenDayFan

Actually we call them the OP. [original poster]

Phoenix257

Take Alg II. I think it will be very awkward for a top student going to a top college to be in first year alg in freshman year.

wowzerz2010

At my school this is how it works for honors

freshman year- algebra 2
sophomore year-discrete math honors first semester and precalculus second semester and geometry the entire year
junior year- Calculus AB-AP entire year and Stat. 1 AP first semester and Stat 2 AP second semester
senior- Calculus BC entire year

and yes it is honors level im not sure of my exact score on the test but it wasn't high but the thing is on the algebra section on the entrance exam into the school i scored about a 93% which is considered very high but on the placement i was so nervous i was forgetting simple things like the order of operations(silly me) when i reviewed with the instructor she said she was sure i new more than the test showed and what i didn't know i could catch on to quickly.

Masterus

Order of Operations...You must have horrible memory or bad IQ. You've been using those for 3-5 years. You guys have to take AB before BC that sucks.

mr_chipset

wowzerz2010, don't listen to Masterus. If you made errors in order of operations only you're perfectly suitable for AlgII