Jeff Selingo is one of my ‘go-to’ people. he’s a voice of reason and balance within the college admissions arena—his ‘Office Hours’ is such an invaluable resource, but today’s session on Math Fluency resonated so much that i wanted to share my notes …..
🔹 Shalinee Sharma – CEO of Zearn & Author of 'Math Mind'
Core Philosophy
• Math fluency is not innate—it’s learnable for all students.
• The U.S. mistakenly classifies children as “math kids” vs. “non-math kids,” which limits potential and creates inequity.
• International comparison proves this belief wrong—countries like Singapore and Japan outperform the U.S. by emphasizing effort over talent.
Math Anxiety & Student Mindset
• 80% of students with math anxiety are average to high performers.
• Math anxiety is deeply tied to our cultural emphasis on speed and performance, rather than effort and understanding.
• U.S. students believe math success is innate; top-performing international students believe math success comes from hard work.
Speed vs. Automaticity
• Speed in math is misunderstood. It should not be competitive.
• Automaticity in basic facts allows cognitive space for higher-level reasoning (e.g., algebra, optimization).
• Lack of automaticity leads to brain overload or “blanking out” on multi-step problems.
Early Tracking & Exclusion
• Exclusion from advanced math starts early, often via public and humiliating signals from teachers.
• Gatekeeping practices—such as limiting who can continue to calculus—can create lasting psychological harm.
Algebra’s Central Role
• Algebra is the most predictive course for success in high school, college, and beyond.
• Timing of Algebra (8th–10th grade) is less important than ensuring students complete it.
• Delayed algebra can prevent access to STEM majors due to prerequisite timelines.
Calculus, Statistics & Career Readiness
• Calculus completion is highly correlated with lifetime earnings and STEM readiness.
• Statistics is increasingly valued and correlates with earnings in non-STEM fields.
• Advanced math of any kind in high school improves college outcomes—students need more access, not less.
Future-Proofing with Math
• Students need math for reasonableness, estimation, and problem-solving—especially in an AI-driven world.
• Proficiency in Algebra and advanced math prepares students to actively participate in the digital economy.
🔹 Chris Gruber – Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Davidson College
General Admissions Lens on Math
• Admissions officers evaluate math sequence and endpoint, especially what students are taking senior year.
• Pre-calculus is often the floor, and calculus is the norm at selective colleges like Davidson.
• What students could have taken (based on school offerings) matters.
Calculus vs. Statistics
• Calculus generally seen as more rigorous, especially for STEM applicants.
• Statistics is respected and useful—particularly for liberal arts students and non-STEM majors.
Senior Year Math Counts
• Math taken in 12th grade does count, even for early decision/early action applicants.
• Doubling up (e.g., Calculus + Statistics) in senior year shows strength and is often discussed in admissions committee.
AP, IB, Dual Enrollment
• Evaluation depends on how the high school weights and represents these courses in the school profile.
• Colleges do not universally rank AP > IB > DE—it’s contextual to the school.
• If a high school lacks advanced math, students can pursue dual enrollment or online courses to stay competitive.
Math as a Competitiveness Signal
• Math sequencing creates a clear ladder—easy for colleges to compare across applicants.
• Humanities sequencing lacks consistency, making math a more visible measure of challenge.
• Math rigor in the transcript signals college readiness, especially when a math requirement exists.
Not Taking Calculus
• Not having calculus is not always a deal-breaker, but:
• - It matters more for competitive colleges and STEM majors.
• - Students should ensure they at least reach pre-calculus to stay eligible at many selective colleges.
Advice to Families (from Chris Gruber)
• Ask early: If specific colleges or majors are being considered, inquire about math expectations now.
• Focus less on when students start Algebra and more on where they land senior year.
• If necessary, bridge gaps through summer coursework, online classes, or dual enrollment.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
The book Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math by Shalinee Sharma
Podcast: Shalinee spoke on Emily Oster’s podcast, Parent Data: “Every Kid is a Math Kid”
Multiple resources from Zearn, the math learning platform founded by Shalinee
"Math as a Gatekeeper: Examining the Evidence", blog post by Pamela Burdman
"Calculus or Statistics: Does it Matter?" The study which analyzed long-term salary differences for people who’d taken either AP Calculus or AP Statistics (April 2025)
Chart of admissions officers’ rankings of math courses, on page 14 in “The Limits of Calculus: Revisiting the Role of Math Education in College Admissions,” report from Just Equations and NACAC.