Algebra 2 as a Sohpomore vs Pre-Calculus

Applying to College
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<p>Does it make a difference whether I do Honors Algebra 2/Trig as a sophomore vs Pre-Calculus/Calculus A as a sophomore? Either way, I will finish both AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics. My counselor thinks it may not be a good idea for me to cram in a complicated subject like Algebra 2 during the summer. But I'm all like "Uh, how about no?" in my head.</p>

<p>Does it really matter?</p>

<p>Also, I've found a way to have P.E. not counted on my transcript. My schedule for next year is set at:</p>

<p>Journalism
Honors English 10
Honors Algebra 2/Trig
AP Human Geography
AP European History
AP Chemistry</p>

<p>But, I also found a way to have my Journalism not counted on my transcript. I'm mainly doing it because it's something that I enjoy doing and will look good on my resume. But I can say "Student Service", a class which doesn't count on your GPA. That would give me a perfect 5.0 if I got all As.</p>

<p>But my counselor is concerned that the colleges will think I was just a student service, and not participating in the class like I will be.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

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<p>And this has to do with Princeton how?</p>

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<p>^maybe he wants to go… and he is wondering how this will affect his app.</p>

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<p>Unless you are currently the valedictorian and absolutely need to do this to stay ahead of the pack, don’t turn Journalism into “Student Service”. </p>

<p>As for the math, it makes no difference. Do you REALLY want to spend your summer learning Algebra II?</p>

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<p>are you not taking a language?</p>

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<p>my high school math is/will be: freshman- geometry honors, sophmore- algebra II honors (fall) and pre-calc honors (spring), junior- AP Calc AB, senior- NOTHING!
I feel like i should take Calc BC, mainly because I see everyone else applying to HYPS taking it, although it is not offered at my school. Self studying it is out of the question, so should I try to take it somewhere else? Or just forget about it (for the record, I don’t enjoy math…)</p>

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<p>^
Don’t bother talking Calculus AB. Taking Pre-Calculus and then Calculus BC is just as good as taking both AB and BC.</p>

<p>Where I’m from, you cover Calculus A in Pre-Calculus honors and do BC in BC.</p>

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<p>But will taking precalc and then jumping to BC be extremely difficult if the AB is not covered in the precalc? or would I just have to do a little review of AB beforehand? (and please excuse this discussion, I realize it more belongs in the AP thread… go tigers!)</p>

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<p>^
Assuming it’s different at your school, based on what I have heard, you will still be fine.</p>

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<p>A=precalc B=calc I C=calc II, so u can take precalc and then BC and you’ll be fine</p>

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<p>scrivener, I have to disagree with some of the posters on this board. If your pre-calc class is “just” pre-calc (like not pre-calc/calc A), then you are probably taking trigonometry and some college level algebra. This is most likely the case at your school because schools that offer pre-calc/calc A are schools that are trying to skip over Calc AB and shuttle their kids directly to BC (which you said doesn’t exist at your school). If you take BC without taking AB or pre-calc/calc A, you’ll probably survive, but there’s a good chance you won’t get an A. In college, that’s totally not a big deal, but it sure is in HS.</p>

<p>AB = Calc I
C = Calc II</p>

<p>Btw, you said Calc BC isn’t offered at your school, right? So wouldn’t it be a moot point to debate taking it? Maybe you should try to self-study for the BC after taking AB since like half of the BC test is do-able after taking AB.</p>

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<p>I see your point ray, and yes, precalc is just precalc at my school… Im a little wary of self studying an math course, although my highschool has a program whereby I can take a class at a neighboring specialty school during my junior or senior year, and they most likely have Calc BC, so I’ll probably do that. Is trig in a Calc BC (or AB for that matter) alot? for some reason my hs cancelled it two years ago…</p>

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<p>Pre-calc covers trig.</p>

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<p>would it kill an applicants chances of getting into Pton if they only took Calc AB and took it Senior year? (with algebra II sophmore, pre-calc junior)</p>

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<p>No, especially if you’re very strong in other fields and intend to pursue those (let’s say, English or Sociology or something).</p>

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<p>“would it kill an applicants chances of getting into Pton if they only took Calc AB and took it Senior year? (with algebra II sophmore, pre-calc junior)”</p>

<p>If you’re planning on math major or an engineer, yeah. Unless you’re just doing it because you’re lazy and you’re actually amazing at math (and demonstrate it by participating in AIME and USAMO).</p>

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<p>They judge you by how rigorous your schedule is relative to your school. I took Calc AB as a sophomore, but it would be unfair to compare my math track to yours since we have very different schools.</p>

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<p>I agree with An0maly. I was admitted as BSE and I only took AB senior year, because that was the highest level my high school had. If you want to seek out higher math, than by all means, but don’t freak out and feel inadequate if your school doesn’t have really advanced math. There are many, many engineers and scientists who take MAT 104 (the equivalent of Calc BC) coming in as freshman, so if you don’t have BC don’t sweat it. A lot of people on this board will freak you out, claiming they take BC in like 8th grade, but often these people are either a)geniuses or b)not very well-rounded. Just take the best classes available to you.</p>

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<p>math/engineering will not be my major, and I am not that great at math (large amounts of studying required) i will most likely push precalc honors to junior year, and then do calc AB senior. thank you for the advice!!!</p>

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<p>hahahaha… reading this thread makes me laugh, especially after seeing how you actually are doing terrible in algebra now.</p>