<p>Hey everyone. I was wondering how crucial it is to take 4 years of math in high school. I will probably double-major in English and Spanish and I am taking many APs. The thing is, I cannot take Journalism and AP Calculus at the same time Senior year. Yes, I know 4 years would be great, but at the same time, math has nothing to do with my future plans. At least Journalism would show my interest in writing, etc. Thanks guys! :D</p>
<p>Which colleges will you apply to?</p>
<p>Personally, I think having 4 years of Math is important. And some colleges require 4 years of Math. But if you plan to major in Writing/English, then choose Journalism.</p>
<p>You need to definently take Journalism since you're majoring in English.</p>
<p>I would also choose the side for the 4 years of math and strongly advise you to take that path, but that depends on what colleges you're aiming for.</p>
<p>If your interest was simply to write for a newspaper, you could try freelancing, however if its the subject that interests you, then do what you're going to major in eventually.</p>
<p>I don't know ... it's important to a certain extent. I think that if you reach a certain proficiency in math and are satisfied, you can easily stop at 3 years of math.</p>
<p>... I am only taking three years of math in high school - I'm a junior now, finishing up Calc BC.</p>
<p>The thing is that most high school "journalism" classes are just fluff and nothing like what you will have in college. AP Calc, on the other hand, is still calculus, which you will most likely have to take regardless.</p>
<p>If you take calc and do really well (i.e. get a high score on AP Calc), then you'll both satisfy the 4 year ideal AND not have to take math at whichever school you go to. Besides, if you really are going to be an english major, a high school journalism class won't really help you much in the long run, will it?</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. I keep going back and forth. I'll be applying to most of the UCs. I'd particularly like to attend UC Davis or Berkeley. I am not a math person at all. Not only do I not enjoy it, but it frequently gives me a headache. Ironically, I'm ahead of most of my friends (I'll take Pre-Calculus junior year). I'd love to stop at PreCal. :) I mean, I'll only have to take, what, a year or two of math in college anyway right? Yes, it would be great, but I don't know if I'd really want to do it on top of 5 or 6 other APs. Hmmm...</p>
<p>You should take Calc, and even for those who take Calc in their junior year.. do take another year of math. The gap of not taking a math course in high school, and then taking it at college is really long. Some people who can remember everything they've learned in their junior year of high school can take three years of math.
Even if you're not majoring in a math/science, many colleges require certain core math courses... just be prepared, in case.</p>
<p>Calc AB will get you out of only a quarter of math, so unless you plan to do Calc BC (and get at least a 4), it's probably not worth it</p>
<p>^^^ Thanks for that info! I didn't know it counted so less! Now I really don't think I'm going to do it. I mean, I'll probably see how I feel after completing Pre-Calculus, but more than likely I won't. I mean, the class is going to give me a headache, I would then have to pass the AP exam to even make it worth it, and even if I did get college credit it would be a very small amount. To me, that could be a waste of time. But Elladorkess, you have a very good point about the gap in between Junior year and college. The only thing is, I won't have to go straight to Calculus in college, do I? I mean, <em>theoretically</em> I could take something ridiculous like Pre-Algebra or Algebra I, right?</p>
<p>Some colleges in the UC system make you take calculus.. I may be wrong, but that's what my GC said. I know for a fact that Revelle college (UCSD) requires calculus, no matter if your major is something very humanities-related.. Since your major isn't related to math, most likely your college probably won't make you take it. However, most do have breadth requirements, which ensure you have a well-rounded curriculm. You should talk to the colleges that you're planning to apply to, or research those specific requirements for graduation. Anyways, if your SAT is high enough, or you pass certain AP tests, it'll get you out of some prep classes. Talk to your GC, if you can.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks again! :D</p>
<p>is statistics an option?</p>
<p>IMO, taking up to calculus is very important regardless of major. You may think you know what you want to do in college, but people grow and change their minds... you need to keep all your options open at least for a little while.</p>
<p>Anyhow, if math gives you a headache, you may want to run through calculus twice (once in HS and again in college), since it is different from the math you've had so far...</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm definitely keeping my options open. I'm just trying to get a rough idea of what I should do. Ultimately, I still don't know. Again, I'll have to feel out Pre-Calculus first... Then I'll be able to see if I want to go higher or not.</p>