<p>how important is a 4th year of math to get into college? and for schools that require it is there anyway around it?</p>
<p>AP Statistics.
It’s for everyone who doesn’t want a real math.</p>
<p>It depends on the school. For competitive schools, you want to go up to BC Calc (years don’t matter as long as you can graduate).</p>
<p>
Okay, I’m going to call absolute College Confidential snobbery and bull crap on this! Seriously! People come here, read this stuff and either take it as fact, or think we’re all loons. Neither is true. BC Calc is a student that is highly accomplished in math, no doubt. Some schools do not even teach it. Depending on your school you either have to be one year ahead and very accelerated, or two years ahead to complete BC. Even students that are two years ahead that complete Calc AB may opt for AP Stats instead of Calc BC their Sr. year if they do not feel extremely strong in math. They may be outstanding students in the humanities and very, very successful in admissions, including elite schools.</p>
<p>There is not one single course that is necessary for elite admissions.</p>
<p>To the OP, more than likely you are going to want four years of math. Dropping a core class isn’t a great idea, with the exception of maxing out your potential in any given area at your school. Check with your GC to see what successful applicants from your school with similar goals have done. Also check with target schools to see what they require, keeping in mind you may change your mind by next year and limiting yourself based on minimum requirements is a risky proposition.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>For all students, it is best to complete at least up to precalculus.</p>
<p>For students who will be going into any major requiring any amount of calculus (which includes not just science and engineering, but also business, economics, and perhaps some other social studies), taking calculus if the opportunity presents itself in high school is desirable. It is not mandatory except for some super-elite science and engineering schools, which stuff what is typically a year of freshman calculus (sometimes with extra theory) into a semester course.</p>
<p>However, an admissions committee may look more favorably on a student who did well in the highest level of math (or any other subject) available at his/her high school, compared to a student who stopped before reaching the highest level.</p>
<p>I’m looking at the same question. I’ll be entering college as an english major and have never been strong in math. I’ll graduate with about a 3.7 UW GPA, 6-7 APs, decent EC’s, good recs. blah blah. I’m a pretty good student. I’m a lousy std. test taker (and math even worse LOL). </p>
<p>I’m looking at catholic LAC’s in the northeast including Providence, fordham, Loyola, etc. So far, Providence has been very clear in what they are looking at for the 4th year of math: they want pre-calc instead of AP stats. </p>
<p>all of the other schools have said as long as you’re taking a 4th year of math that’s fine, but PC has made this statement several times. I could see if I were coming in as a math/bio/ major but english? The math requirements for an english are pretty bogus, so it’s not like i’ll be taking anything so difficult.</p>
<p>So, my question will be, do I take pre-calc and possibly risk my GPA, or take AP and have them upset that i didn’t follow their suggestion. right now, PC is my 1st choice</p>
<p>I would suggest to the OP that they look at the schools that you’re interested in and see what they require.</p>
<p>Bottom line: for a top school, no matter what your proposed major, taking calc is seen as an indication of your willingness to challenge yourself academically. And, AP Stat is not a one-for-one replacement. This is my experience with admissions.</p>
<p>You don’t want to be compared against another humanities major who has taken the challenging path. If calc is tough and you don’t get an A, and you are not a math-sci major but have performed well otherwise, it is still a positive reflection on you.</p>
<p>Many universities have a graduation requirement (for all majors, including humanities majors) that essentially means knowing at least precalculus, as determined by a math placement test given at the university. You don’t want to have to spend time and tuition money taking precalculus at the university when you could have taken it in high school when students normally take it.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>If a school offers it, BC Calc is an absolute must for unhooked applicants to HYPMS. Having it won’t get you in, but not having it would result in an easy out.</p>
<p>In addition, please check the graduation requirements for your HS. In our school district students must take 4 segments of math, 4 of science and 4 of language arts in be eligible for graduation.</p>