randombetch

^Yes, there are many alternatives to taking Math courses.

And there definitely are a bunch of people who never take a "real" math class at Princeton. But even among those people, I'd say at least half of them have taken a minimum of Calc AB in high school.

Eiffel

Okay.

So, final question: I will be taking Honors Pre-Cal next term if my counselor allows me to do independent study or makes room for me in the class. I'm considering doing the Stats course online too, but I'm scared that I will be overwhelmed with Pre-Cal and my other classes as it is...Also, would it seem strange that all of as sudden I'm taking 2 math classes even though I'm not applying for any math/science major? Or would it just look like I'm trying to get 4 years of math in at the last minute? Or would it look good? :P

Thanks for all your help so far, guys, and sorry for all the questions.

ec1234

The number of people who haven't taken calculus of some kind in high school is very small. The number of people who haven't taken pre-calc or something equivalent I would bet is near zero.

tigerton

You'd be surprised at how many kids take Algebra 1 in 12th grade without failing any class. There are intermediate classes like Analysis of Function that are popular for average students. Although, they're the ones going to community college.

ec1234

^^I was referring to people at princeton, not people in general. Obviously lots of people don't make it to calc in high school, but most of those people don't end up at Princeton

Eiffel

So, I'm going to talk to my counselor tomorrow, so what could I get any input on these questions:

I will be taking Honors Pre-Cal next term if my counselor allows me to do independent study or makes room for me in the class. I'm considering doing the Stats course online too, but would it seem strange that all of as sudden I'm taking 2 math classes even though I'm not applying for any math/science major? Or would it just look like I'm trying to get 4 years of math in at the last minute? Or would it look good because I'm taking 4 years of math and challenging myself? :P

randombetch

I think it'd look good because you're challenging yourself and getting 4 years of math.

Eiffel

Okay, final question:

If I take Honors Pre-Cal and Stats, if I were to, hypothetically, get a B or C in Honors Pre-Cal for instance, would it really matter since the colleges won't see the grade until the final transcript? Would they rescind my admission if I got those grades on my final transcript?

randombetch

First semester grades matter a LOT. Midyear report.

Eiffel

First semester is August - December, right? Because my school operates on the quarter system, so I wouldn't be taking Pre-Cal or Stats until second semester and wouldn't have a final grade in either until May...

Eiffel

I'm back with another question!

Okay, so I have the choice of taking one of the following classes at the community college:

1.) Precalculus: Functions/Graphs
2.) Calculus-Bus-Soc & Behav Sci
3.) Analytic Geometry & Calculus I

Does anyone know which of these would look best? Keep in mind that I haven't taken Precal but both 2 and 3 on my list said that only algebra was required before taking them...

Eiffel

Anyone? I need to talk to my counselor ASAP...

Eiffel

...Anyone?

ec1234

honestly, I don't think it's going to matter much, Princeton wants 4 years of high school math, and definitely prefers through Calculus, at the very least. And if not calculus than up to pre-calc plus AP stats. Most people at princeton have taken at least that, and theres a good percentage who have taken more than that (Calc BC, 5 years of hs math, multi, etc). If you have a really fantastic hook that might get you in then you have a shot, but no matter what you do you are going to have less than the recommended number of math courses, and thus it doesnt really matter what you take, as long as you take it.

fireshark

If there's a "good percentage" of people who have taken multi by the time they get to Princeton I will jump off a bridge.