Calculus 1 or 2

rd2849

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Feb 18, 2016
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My son is reapplying this year and got a 5!in AP Calculus test. He is attending SDSU via ROTC. My question is this... Does he retake Calc 1 or take on Calc 2 with Chem and a total of 14 or 17 units? "Easy" A in 1 or maybe a B plus in Calc 2???? Dean of admissions told him he would recommend him to take Calc 2 first semester .... Thanks in advance for feedback !!!!!
 
I'm in the same boat as your son (I'm a first-time applicant however). I also got a 5 in AP Calc BC (A in Calc 1 and 2) and I have been advised to take Calc 2. Many students and teachers who I have talked to said there is no reason to retake Calc 1 if you did well in the class/ felt confident about the material. I suggest following what the dean of admissions said.

My liaison officer from USNA suggested mimicking a plebe schedule, which involves taking calc and chem. For me this isn't an issue because I'm a chemical engineer major. But I would assume his advice still applies to your son. This means I have to take 17 credits but I am up for the task if it means a better chance to get in. Hope this helps and best of luck to your son!
 
I'm in the same boat as your son (I'm a first-time applicant however). I also got a 5 in AP Calc BC (A in Calc 1 and 2) and I have been advised to take Calc 2. Many students and teachers who I have talked to said there is no reason to retake Calc 1 if you did well in the class/ felt confident about the material. I suggest following what the dean of admissions said.

My liaison officer from USNA suggested mimicking a plebe schedule, which involves taking calc and chem. For me this isn't an issue because I'm a chemical engineer major. But I would assume his advice still applies to your son. This means I have to take 17 credits but I am up for the task if it means a better chance to get in. Hope this helps and best of luck to your son!
I'm in the same boat as your son (I'm a first-time applicant however). I also got a 5 in AP Calc BC (A in Calc 1 and 2) and I have been advised to take Calc 2. Many students and teachers who I have talked to said there is no reason to retake Calc 1 if you did well in the class/ felt confident about the material. I suggest following what the dean of admissions said.

My liaison officer from USNA suggested mimicking a plebe schedule, which involves taking calc and chem. For me this isn't an issue because I'm a chemical engineer major. But I would assume his advice still applies to your son. This means I have to take 17 credits but I am up for the task if it means a better chance to get in. Hope this helps and best of luck to your son!
Thanks so much
 
It is not a requirement to get a 4.0 your first semester of college to be a successful re-applicant. (though it certainly won't hurt). Take a rigorous schedule and make good grades. 2 local folks just started PS that were re-applicants and neither had a 4.0 their first semester in college.

There are a number of reasons to start with Calculus I - ensuring you have a truly solid baseline understanding is one, but it is also easy to fall into the trap of 'oh, I already know this' and not do enough work to obtain the easy A. I have also heard people say the AP Calculus is not as rigorous as a college level Calculus I class. I would also suggest that if the Dean suggested Calculus II, he/she is probably pretty good at making those type of judgements. They (as a general rule) won't put someone in a position to fail.

Curious as to why starting in Calculus I is an easy A and starting in Calculus II is a B+.

If you have been down this path before, you should realize keeping Plan B as an open option is important. The 2021 class will be no less competitive than the 2020 class (though I do believe re-applicants are looked on quite favorably). If you are ready for Calc II and Chem II, I would suggest moving on and taking them and if you think it will require extra time to get A's in both, then take 14 hours instead of 17. Whether at State U or USNA the goal is to graduate starting out ahead puts you a little closer.

DD scored a 5 on the AP Calculus exam and a 3 on the AP Chemistry exam. She is at PS now and based on the tests USNA administers, she has validated Calculus I and Chemistry I. Though she currently wants to pursue a STEM degree it won't include being a ChemEng, so putting Chem I in the rearview mirror is/was her goal.

Obviously, you have to decide what is best for your situation, but if professionals (the Dean) are telling you Calculus II, that is more valuable input than a bunch of folks you don't know on a message board.
 
I miraculously validated Calc 1. Although I wasn't a reapplicant, my advisor here at USNA ,strongly advised me to jump into Calc2. Although I too received 5 on my AP, I just never felt Calc was a strength. I'm glad I listened to my advisor, as I did fine in Calc 2 and it's by no means an easy course here. Glad to have had that and Diff Eq out of the way my Plebe year.
 
I was in a similar situation, I got out of composition I & II, I talked to a guy who graduated from my high school, who was a successful re-applicant, and he said go ahead and take a literature class. It will still show up on a transcript. However, I could see how this is different for you. I feel as though I could do better in a literature class, while Cal 2 is guaranteed to be harder than cal 1.
 
All: When you say 'I got a 5 on the calculus AP exam' is that AB calculus or BC calculus? Curious if it makes a difference. Thanks
 
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