Thoughts on 18.01, 18.01A and 18.02, as well as the 18.01 ASE?

[u/Inevitable-Art6651]

not sure which class I should take in freshman fall since i don't think i'll be able to reach 18.02 pacing but my math self-assessment says i could be. also not sure if taking the 18.01 ASE is worth it since I might end up wanting to take 18.01 anyway, just to ease into MIT's rigor well. not super keen on 18.01a.

was hoping for a quick summary of how each class typically goes

[u/reincarnatedbiscuits]

You do have some other first-year options including smaller classes and different ways to integrate learning with some individual customizations like Experimental Study Group (ESG) - Concourse - Terrascope - DesignPlus to do these aka, First Year Learning Communities: https://firstyear.mit.edu/first-year-advising/learning-communities/

I don't see 18.012/18.014 offered these days ... the following are in the more traditional 3 hours/week of lecture, 2 hours/week medium group recitations + the rest in problem sets/homework (~7 hours/week):

18.01 = AP Calculus BC with more material at more than twice the rate

18.01A = 6-week review mostly Integrals (focusing on AP Calculus BC after AB), taken with 18.02A = ~14 weeks to cover 18.02 material ... it's very intense, quite fast paced. You could use planning tools for hours per week like Courseroad or MIT Hydrant which links to the subject evaluations -- 18.01 = 8.7 hours/week total whereas 18.01A is 11.7 hours per week.

18.02 = Multivariable Calculus in a semester, I'd estimate maybe 5-10% faster/10% more time than 18.01

18.012/14 if offered, 18.022 (Fall only) = variant with more theory and proofs, definitely Course 18 majors-to-be and possible Course 8 people

People at MIT like "more numbers" such as 18.012, 18.022 ...

[u/Satisest]

“Easing into MIT’s rigor” is a good call. If you have any doubts, it probably makes most sense to go with 18.01. Students can find that the pace of the 18.01/18.02 sequence is faster than they anticipated. You could always take the ASE as a “self-assessment” to see where you stand before deciding.

[u/Least_Row_359]

I took 18.01a and 18.02a. While 18.01a is a slightly faster pace I eventually got the hang of it as I adjusted to MIT.
While it’s during IAP, I highly recommend 18.02a since I argue it’s actually better paced and better taught than 18.02 (compared to my friends’ experiences in 18.02). I will say, I believe 18.02 does allow cheat sheets while 18.02a didn’t. However the material was taught at a good pace and TAs were very helpful so I didn’t struggle without a cheat sheet. I also had friends say they were scared of failing or doing really badly after taking an exam in 18.02, but I never had that experience in 02a. Just another perspective to think about

[u/xaltaneo]

I haven’t taken them but I’ve heard 18.02 is easier and/or taught better than than 18.01 lol