Doris Said:

Sequence of high school math courses?

We Answered:

Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calc and/or Trigonometry, Calc I, Stats (usu. 1/2 year), Calc II (1/2) and then Calc III I believe. I'm in Calc I right now so I know the order is right at least through that one.

Melvin Said:

Does anyone else agree with me that the order of high school math courses should be changed?

We Answered:

One reason they are taught in that order is that not everyone is advanced like you are. Some students take algebra in grade 9, geometry in grade 10, then no further math. This arrangement at least gives them exposure to both kinds of math. Your point about just doing it for honors courses would make that reason moot though, I admit. Also, there are a lot of geometric applications in algebra 2 and trig, so you'd need the basics before taking those courses. If you are not mature enough to do proofs, no offense but maybe you were being rushed through the math sequence. Ask your college professor if he thinks kids who are zipped through high school math arrive in college with the proper fundamentals. Of course this could be totally off base but sometimes I wonder if speeding through the high school curricula in order to take college credit while still in high school is all that good a thing.

Rebecca Said:

Recommended high school math courses for someone planning on applying to Yale?

We Answered:

anything that will lead you up to a class equal to AP calc AB, as the minimum. if you want, take AP calc BC (assuming they have it at your school.

the difference?

calc AB is two semesters of college math crammed into one school year.

calc BC is three semesters in one school year.

Claire Said:

How many high school math courses do colleges normally require? Should I take more?

We Answered:

Assuming you could hold your own in another Math course, it would certainly only help you to take another year. If you don't believe you would succeed in the class, it might be understandable to opt out.

Myrtle Said:

What high school math courses would you take if you want to be a dentist?

We Answered:

Hi Nabila I don't mean to sound discouraging, but you will probably change your mind about wanting to be a dentist some time in the future.
But regarding your concern, high school math courses have little or no effect on your ambition to be a dentist. Sure, you could do Calculus, which is usually the toughest high school math, but you don't HAVE to. If you don't take it, you'll be likely to take it in college, especially if you major in Chemistry or Biochemistry. Biology usually doesn't require Calculus, in many colleges. This is why it really doesn't matter what math you take in high school.
So you're wondering what you need to do to become a dentist?
Here are a few things:
High DAT scores (DAT is the standardized test you need to take to be considered admission to dental school, which you'd go AFTER 4 year college. DAT questions are closely related to science, which is why it would obviously help if you major in Bio, Chem, or Biochem.. preferably chem/biochem)
To get into dental school, you need..
Good GPA in college
Lots of field experience in your major(internships, Co-op, etc etc.)
With you still being in high school, just concentrate on getting into a college with a strong science program that revolves around bio, chem, or biochem.. Or maybe even pre-Dental !

Good luck !

Tonya Said:

Why do some students who made A's in high school math courses have so much trouble in college calculus?

We Answered:

At least for me, the style of instruction is much different from high school. All of my calculus classes in college have been taught in large lecture halls, with 100+ students, whereas high school math courses were taught in a regular classroom with ~30 students. I've also found the pace to be different, with good reason. In high school, for me, and entire school year was spent in each course, even AP Calculus, which was around 35 weeks in high school. Now, an instructor only has 16 weeks to teach this material. In having half the time, half the smaller details must be left out, leaving students to remember these from previous courses, which they may not have retained as well as they thought they did.