Question about what math class I should take next term

Eiffel · 11-02-2009, 12:41 AM

So far I have taken Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra II. Next term I'm taking my last math class. I'm currently signed up for a 6-week online course at a community college for Elementary Statistics. However, I'm considering scrapping that in favor of self-studying Pre-Cal. So, I have a few questions...

1.) Would Pre-Cal look infinitely better than Statistics?
2.) Would it make a big difference if I take regular Pre-Cal or Honors Pre-Cal?
3.) Would getting an A/A+ in Stats look better than possibly getting a C or B in Honors Pre-Cal?
4.) Is taking Honors Geometry, Honors Alg II, and either Stats or Pre-Cal good enough to get into Princeton? While it is only 3 years of math (as opposed to the 4 they recommend), I have taken 6 years of social science that might balance it out?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Saugus · 11-02-2009, 02:58 AM

Woah, you're considering stopping at Algebra 2?... Statistics isn't "real" math.

Most people get up to AP Calculus BC...

Honors Algebra 2 is a course usually taken in a Sophomore year, with the most talented students taking it as Freshman. You simply cannot stop there.

Pre-Calculus is the finishing point for an average student who took four years of math. You have to get at least there.

Eiffel · 11-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Yeah, I took Honors Alg II during sophomore year. I didn't take math junior year, and now I have to finish it up next term. How big of a difference would it make if I took Pre-Cal or Honors Pre-Cal?

abercrombieindy · 11-02-2009, 12:20 PM

Eiffel, try taking one math class in school and then concurrently take an online course at your community college.

Eiffel · 11-02-2009, 03:57 PM

^You think that would be a big advantage to me (not in comparison to other applicants, obviously, but as an advantage to my record personally)? Like if I took Honors Pre-Cal and Elementary Statistics concurrently?

I'm just not sure if it would be too difficult for me, since math is difficult for me in general. But even 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 · 11-02-2009, 07:30 PM

If you don't take pre-calc, you can't get into Princeton. Even if you do, you'll struggle with Math 101 at Princeton.

Most people take up to Calc BC.

Eiffel · 11-02-2009, 08:09 PM

^But you only have to take 1 quantitative reasoning course at Princeton if you're going for your A.B., right? And couldn't that course be in something a little less math-centric like Logic (Philosophy)?

fireshark · 11-02-2009, 08:13 PM

You still have to get into Princeton first.

Eiffel · 11-02-2009, 08:15 PM

Obviously, but I'm just asking...

Tres Elefantes · 11-02-2009, 09:22 PM

^randombetch and Saugus, I don't believe what you say about Calc BC. I don't believe that "most" people, many of whom came from mediocre high schools like mine which do not offer Calc BC, take the class. Engineering majors, maybe, but I doubt it.

I think the concurrent enrollment is a good idea, Eiffel.

silverturtle · 11-02-2009, 09:37 PM

Definately get up to at least Pre-Calculus.

randombetch · 11-02-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

^randombetch and Saugus, I don't believe what you say about Calc BC. I don't believe that "most" people, many of whom came from mediocre high schools like mine which do not offer Calc BC, take the class. Engineering majors, maybe, but I doubt it.

I think the concurrent enrollment is a good idea, Eiffel.

Only 50% of Princeton's student body came from a public school (50% public, 40% private, 10% religious/other), and probably less 10% of that are mediocre enough to not offer Calc BC.

Only 26 students are enrolled in Math 101 (first semester of calculus) this semester lol. Think about that.

I have never met an engineer who didn't start off with multivariable calc/linear algebra.

I have never met someone who was enrolled in a course less than 103 (meaning that person has at least taken AP Calc AB).

A majority of the freshmen I met last year and this year who are taking math are taking Math 201 which means they at least had taken Calc BC, and many of them had already taken multivar at a CC. Many people who take Calc BC in high school retake it by taking Math 103/104 at Princeton.

silverturtle · 11-02-2009, 11:00 PM

Thanks for the surprising information, randombetch.

Tres Elefantes · 11-02-2009, 11:14 PM

^Interesting. I can easily believe that the majority of students have taken Calc AB, but I didn't know BC was that commonplace. But are there a bunch of people (perhaps the less mathematically-inclined) who are not taking a math class at all who would otherwise be enrolled in Calc 101?

Interestingly, the only other kid from my school applying to P (besides me, of course) is applying as an engineering major. His highest math level is Calc AB. It'll be interesting to see how this turns out for him (first choice = MIT, which probably almost expects multivariate calc during senior year).

Eiffel · 11-02-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

But are there a bunch of people (perhaps the less mathematically-inclined) who are not taking a math class at all who would otherwise be enrolled in Calc 101?

Yeah, this goes back to my question: you only have to take 1 quantitative reasoning course at Princeton if you're going for your A.B., right? And couldn't that course be in something a little less math-centric like Logic (Philosophy)? So, there might be a lot of people who haven't taken Calc and have no reason to.