STEM Roadmap Starting in 9th Grade - Advice on Math Track and SAT Preparation

Today's post at A-One Institute will discuss the high school track for students aiming for STEM-related universities. This information will be crucial for students who have not had exceptional activities or outstanding results in middle school, so I hope it proves helpful.

We will begin by discussing how to prepare for STEM-related universities starting in the 9th grade of high school.

The activities that most of you think about are AMC (Math) / SPORT / MUSIC / ART.

If we look at these activities in the grade roadmap, the possibility of MUSIC will be determined in grades 5-6, and AMC will also be judged on whether to continue preparation or stop in grades 6-7.

SPORTS may vary depending on the sport, but you will be making a serious decision about whether to continue between grades 5-10.

With ART, I can tell you that there is a possibility even if you start a little later, so you will be able to make a judgment around 9th or 10th grade.

If you are in Year 9 and the overall activities above are not for you and you have to give up, you may be concerned. In these situations, here's some advice on what a student should do if they want to prepare for college in a STEM field.

Before delving into the details, let's take a look at the standardized criteria set by MIT for university admission in STEM fields. While they are not mandatory requirements, MIT specifies certain criteria for mathematics, particularly emphasizing experience in calculus.

9th grade is the time to start preparing for college entrance exams. In general, based on the schedule of applying for college admission a few months after starting the 12th grade, there is a four-year academic schedule until the entrance exam and three summer vacations between those four years.

The image above illustrates the common math track adopted by high schools. It includes Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus (AB), AP Calculus (BC), Multivariable, AP Statistics, and Linear Algebra. While there might be slight variations between schools, this sequential progression is generally followed.

Geometry is highlighted because, to even consider exploring Calculus by the 12th grade, you must start with Geometry no later than the 9th grade.

If you are taking Algebra 1 in the 9th grade, I recommend that you focus on achieving academic competence that meets specific standards rather than engaging in numerous other activities. Meeting academic standards is more important for university admissions than being heavily involved in other activities. If you're in the 9th grade taking Algebra 1, you should aim for Grade Skipping during the summer before 10th grade. This is necessary to be able to take Calculus in high school and graduate.

If you made some progress by studying Algebra 1 in 9th grade, it may be a good idea to build your academic skills to a specific standard rather than focusing on EC during the summer before 10th grade. So, you should aim to skip a grade. That way, you can take Calculus in high school and graduate.

I would like to tell you that the time between finishing 9th grade and moving on to 10th grade is the most leisurely time of all the remaining time.

If so, it's time to catch up with other students.

Rather than preparing to participate in other activities or competitions when the academic requirements are not met, we recommend that you supplement your academic deficiencies.

Friends who started 9th grade with Algebra 1 should study Math and Science during this period and try Grade Skipping when they advance to 10th grade.

In the case of science, skipping a grade is a bit difficult, and math is easier than science, so think about skipping a grade in math!

The mathematical communication provided to each high school student can be very convenient. Anyone who likes school trips may find some of the activities offered by school activities helpful. For example, if a particular student is offered linear algebra, the conclusion may be that linear algebra is sufficiently targeted in 12th grade, AP Statistics and Multivariable in 11th grade, AP Calculus BC in 10th grade, and Precal in 9th grade.

By the time you reach the 10th grade, you might start wondering when you should take the SAT or ACT. Since most students prepare for the SAT or ACT during summer vacations, here's a general guideline: if you're thinking about when to start preparing, consider the following. If, while practicing, you achieve a score of 580 or higher in SAT Reading or 27 or higher in ACT, that's when you should begin your preparation.

If you find yourself not meeting these scores by the summer before the 11th grade, it's recommended to wait. Your English proficiency is likely to improve as you progress through higher grades, and preparing during the summer before the 12th grade is still a viable option.

Maintaining your GPA is essential and can't be emphasized enough. If you find it challenging to manage your GPA, focus on showing consistent involvement in your school's community activities as a way to improve your GPA. For university admissions, having a well-maintained GPA is a top priority.

If you are relatively successful in managing your GPA, there are recommended activities to consider.

Participating in writing competitions is highly recommended. Universities scrutinize the English proficiency of STEM-oriented Asian students. Participating in Writing Competitions, in addition to good GPA and SAT scores, is viewed very positively.

STEM students often feel uncertain about their writing skills, but the Writing Competition evaluates not only well-written essays but also "creative students." The advantage of the Writing Competition is that you have time to prepare your work and collaborate with others, providing opportunities for editing. Even if you don't win any awards, it's not time wasted. The preparation period enhances your skills, which will benefit you in English classes, essay assignments, and other subjects.

If you find Writing Competitions too challenging, an alternative activity is the Congressional App Challenge. It's a competition where you work in a team to create and submit an app. Awards are given by members of Congress, and winners have the opportunity to present their work in Congress. The best part is that you have time to prepare and submit a video, and you can involve others for support. This is a great competition, regardless of whether you plan to pursue computer science.

If you wonder about which camp to attend during the summer break, I recommend experiencing a camp when you have a lot of activities related to your interests. Deepening your interests during the camp experience can be a valuable addition to your resume. However, for students with no particular extracurricular activities, attending a camp during the summer break may not significantly benefit your university admission. Focusing on school studies and maintaining a good GPA is more important.

Today, we've looked at the roadmap for STEM students starting from the 9th grade. We hope that the advice from A-One Institute has helped you in preparing your four-year plan. If you are interested in the Writing Competition or the Congressional App Challenge, please contact our academy for detailed guidance. We will return with more informative content in our next post. Thank you.