USABO or USAMO?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey guys.</p>

<p>I will be a junior next year. Here’s the situation. I am extremely fond of both mathematics and biology. However, I can’t efficiently prepare for both USAMO and USABO. I haven’t made either before, so making both is impossible. I need to show colleges that I’m passionate about one of these two subjects, but my resume is marred by the fact that I got B’s in both Bio Honors and AP Biology. I did Multivariable soph year, and got an A in it, but got a B in Precalc freshman year. I got 5’s in both AP BC and AP Bio. I’m in the middle of summer break, and I’m sure if I focused all my efforts on one olympiad, I will be able to succeed in it. I’m afraid that if I do well in USABO, colleges will be turned off by the fact that I never got an A in a Biology course. If I do well in USAMO, colleges will see the B in Precalculus and freak out. I’m between a rock and a hard place, as I want to major in either of those two things. I really, really want to go to Caltech, but those B’s are a clear indicator that I’m not Caltech material. I was hoping that the olympiads are my last chance, but I was relying on my ability to excel in both. With my track record, this is not something that I can plausibly achieve. What should I focus on, math or bio?</p>

2

<p>Okay so here’s the deal. </p>

<p>These Olympiad programs are no joke. I can’t speak for the USABO, but I do have some experience in preparing for the USAMO. </p>

<p>First of all for the USAMO, there is absolutely NO calculus. The main topics that the competition stresses are algebra, number theory, geometry, and counting and probability. The USAMO stresses problem solving abilities more than knowing a bunch of theorems in calculus or whatnot, and this can be intimidating for many new contest takers. Keep in mind that only 200 students in the entire United States can make the USAMO, and many of these students put in hours and hours a day for an extended period of time in order to qualify. IMHO, qualifying for the USAMO will take much much more than a just summers work. However, if you still feel that you want to give it a shot, check out the Art of Problem Solving website and register for some classes and order some books. Also, try to take a previous AMC12 test. If you cannot get over a 130, you really dont have much hope at qualifying.</p>

3

<p>Hmm, what you say is very true. Bio it is, then. :/</p>