rr5001

I scheduled my snr. year so I have a lot of time to pursue STEM subjects. But is it would to basically do a course, independently, so as to be ahead in college?

for example,
for engineering. Materials and Mechanics I, and Dynamics are both required anywhere u go.
So I could learn them on my own. take a test for credit and be ahead, and available to take more advanced and variegated courses.

My questions:
1. Is it that wise overall? why or why not?
2. If I do end up doing that, will that hurt my networking in college? I am not exactly sure as to which medium is more important for networking...clubs, classes,fraternities, etc
3. Are there specific courses, that I should be doing now to sort of get out of the way for cooler courses in college?
4. Anyone have any guidelines, hints, tips about independently studying engineering subjects?

I will post in engineering thread too for a variety of feedback.

Any and All Respectful Responses Appreciated!

iceui2

1. Take the classes/learn the things you're interested in. Don't worry about what classes are required or not at MIT. Chances are, you'll end up taking them anyways because MIT has a more rigorous curriculum, even for its intro subjects.

2. Again, don't worry about whether or not taking classes in HS will affect you in college.

3. There's no such thing as "get out of way for cooler courses". Even the intro classes are cool, and pave the foundation for more advanced classes.

4. Unless there are absolutely no classes at your high school that you're interested in, I wouldn't recommend self-studying higher-level courses unless you're doing it purely for your enjoyment (and not to simply "get it out of the way").

rr5001

well im doing it to be great engineer, so my line of thinking was:

If I am bit more advanced, because i learned them myself, then Ill be taking courses more advanced than I would if I had studied those courses. Consequently, I would be a better engineer within 4 years, than I normally would be.

For example, If someone were to do Algebra I, Geo, Algebra II in middle school and come into high school doing Calculus in their freshman year. By the end of senior year, wouldn't they know more, and be BETTER, as a mathematician?

Does that line of thought work for MIT?

I do enjoy engineering (from what I've seen which is limited) but i looked at the syllabus for dynamics, and mechanics and materials I according to opencourseware and it was actually pretty interesting.

1 more question. Im finishing up Diff Eq,+Linear algebra and may not remember much from MVC by the time I get to college; At MIT specifically, are there "refresher courses?" I saw the "review in mathematics" for MVC but nothing beyond that.

UMTYMP student

It's not necessary but is very nice to place out of many of the GIRs. Contra iceui2, I and certainly many others if not most think advanced courses in your major are much cooler than intro classes.

rr5001

ok great thank you!

iceui2

Taking more math classes does not make you a better mathematician.

MIT students do not necessarily take more classes than students who attend a local state school. Does that mean MIT students aren't really better engineers?

It's not about the quantity. It's about the quality. And that's what I want to emphasize.

UMTYMP student

There are diminishing returns to taking lots of classes and quality does matter a lot but knowing a lot of math when you enter MIT is very helpful. I'm not familiar with engineering but my impression is that taking engineering classes in high school won't really help you. It's a better idea to get a good understanding of math and physics.