Skipping Calculus AB [HS math progression: IM1 -> IM2H -> IM3H -> AB -> BC]

Pre-College Topics High School Life
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@ucbalumnus @MYOS1634 @tamagotchi @movingtothebeach @tsbna44

Hello, I am considering taking Integrated Math 2 over the summer from Silicon Valley High School, which is an accredited uc approved online school, would this be a good idea, I mean it is online and without a textbook and I am scared that I won’t get a proper foundation for more advanced math classes, I am planning to apply to UC’s and major in cs.

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You’ve seen my opinion - I can’t speak for others. I would not take the class over the summer and you are fine with AB. I would not be looking to rush through math - it will catch up with you, if not in hs then in college.

Others, I think, have weighed in and can again.

Like everyone - have a balanced list - and you’ll be fine.

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63

Thanks, but I know that AB is enough but, there are just so many “more capable” students who would have an upper hand over me, I feel disadvantaged and want the playing field to be leveled.

64

No.

IM2 at SVHS is a “regular” IM2 course, unlike your school’s IM2H and IM3H that are accelerated to cover precalculus topics so that you will be ready for calculus after IM3H. If you take IM2 (both parts) at SVHS, then you will either have to take IM3 (regular) followed by precalculus in your school, or take IM3H and learn any missing concepts from your school’s IM2H on your own.

Staying on your progression in your high school of IM1 → IM2H → IM3H → AP calculus AB is fine for going to college to study CS.

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65

I told my counselor and said that I could register for IM3 honors during sorphmore instead of just IM3 if I take IM2 over the summer.

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You risk setting yourself up for disaster.

Stop watching others.

Worry about yourself.

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What do you mean?

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^ post 64 :100:

You will not be compared to others on the AB->BC track, only to those on the same track as yours, which your GC should explain either in your recommendation or the school profile.
If you couldn’t take BC you will not be penalized for it and will be compared to those in that cohort.

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Sorry, I know I am really dumb but can you explain that more in depth.

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I mean focused on what’s best for you to learn and excel - and that’s to stay on the current path with school year classes.

In the summer, get a job or do something else to enhance your application - like volunteer, etc.

But don’t take math and stop trying to get ahead.

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Okay

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I suspect this depends on your school(s) more than anything. My kids school it is either AB or BC, you can’t do both. My own HS was like that way back when too… they aren’t a sequence everywhere. I have another kid, at a different HS, who can NOT skip AB.

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Students aren’t randomly compared.
Students who started HS in IM2H are compared together.
Students who started HS in IM1 are compared together.
At your school, only the 1st group may take BC.
You will only be compared to students who started in IM1 and end with calc AB or something else. Therefore you MUST take IM2H rather than IM2 AND get an A; then take IM3H and get an A; then take Calc AB.

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74

Thank you very much that we clear
I don’t know what I am thinking lol

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75

If you get Bs or end in Precalculus it’ll be unfavorable compared to kids who got As and took Calc AB, since As and 12th grade in Calc AB is the highest students in your comparison group can get.

2 thing that would be more productive:

  • what can your parents afford? Will some colleges be off limits financially?
    Better know now than later.
  • what would be great safeties for you - CPP? ASU Barrett? WWU?
    It’s easy to find dream schools, the real work is in finding colleges that share characteristics with your dream schools but are way less selective.

If you really like math, have you checked out the lessons on Khan Academy?
Look at the pre-reqs for Elementary statistics, Discrete Math, Linear algebra Intro to Data science/computing, etc. Any class you could take after IM2H?
What about Art of problem solving online classes?

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We can basically any college, every UC and every ivy, we do not qualify for financial aid.

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So

  • will you need merit aid? How much? Would it be a “nice to have” or a deal breaker…or no difference at all?
  • can your parents afford anything? What is the budget they envision? Do they have limits or not?
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Since you tagged me - I agree with what everyone else is saying (and what I and others have said previously) - your idea of “skipping” AB or finding other workarounds is almost certainly going to work out more poorly than just taking the math classes leveled for you and doing well. I can see that you’re really caught up in the “well some people will have BC” - and yes, some will, but your opportunities for college aren’t going to be determined based on where you began math in high school in 9th grade. The strong recommendation you’re getting from this group is to settle in to the classes you’re taking and do well at them.

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Our budget is maybe, 70k, household income is 180k per year

80

You mean this in UC applications right?