To cut to the chase, I am a sophomore taking geometry at a competitive, private high school. I am a year behind in math, compared to my friends and classmates. Math isn’t a strength of mine and i’m quite self conscious about my math class (me being with younger people). Currently I am taking three honors classes (No AP’s offered) all in the humanities field. I have a strong GPA, but ultimately, I won’t reach Calculus senior year. How much will this hurt my college app? To what extent am I at a disadvantage against others. I am looking to apply to some fairly competitive schools such as UVA, Georgetown, Duke, etc.
Not true, especially if you are not going into engineering. Colleges want its applicants to take the most rigorous courseload that they can and still do well.
You go to a very well-regarded school. What does your college counselor say?
No, and it definitely depends on your major… For instance, I’m interested in nursing and while researching whether ap stat or calc would be better for nursing I came across this on University of Michigan’s site:
“for high school students choosing between Calculus or Statistics, Statistics is a good choice for preparation for our curriculum.”
I’ve stressed my passion for the humanities and she has emphasized that about me. I take two honors languages and honors world history. She is very supportive but I still feel that I am one step behind and below average (in math).
You really need to take the blinders off. You may not be on the same level of math as the majority at your school, but your school is not typical. Let me assure you that the majority of college-bound students will not take calculus in HS. The flip side is that there will be very few applicants who will be taking two languages. Play to your strengths, not anyone else’s.
My D was in your shoes, @gdrive33 but our private advisor told us that because she isn’t at all interested in STEM, it really shouldn’t be a factor, provided the rest of your courses are rigorous. It isn’t an indication of intelligence that you aren’t on the same math track as others. As long as your grades and test scores are good, you should be fine for competitive schools. If you are pursuing STEM majors though, you might seriously consider doing a summer math course.
People really need to read the original question before responding. Nowhere does the OP say s/he will not take pre-calc.
While it seems that every student on CC is a STEM-y Intel-winner, that is not the case. Harvard has students that have never taken calc, so I am sure the same holds true for OP’s target schools. Of course, if the OP really wants to, s/he could take a summer course, but it wall not make or break an application.
Assuming that “she” is your counselor, then trust her over a bunch of anonymous opinions (even mine ) on the internet.
I took geometry sophomore year and still end up in calc AB senior year. Does your school have a trig/pre-calc class that you can take instead of algebra 2/trig junior year? Some schools will let you skip the alg2.
@a20171 My school does not offer a course covering both trig and pre calc. The structure follows: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calc, Calc (or) Statistics.
I’m debating whether or not I should spend this summer learning algebra II and moving into Pre-Calc next year. That would only be my viable option if I were to move up.
Given your on level math placement in middle school, it is more understandable if you “only” reach precalculus in 12th grade, compared to someone a year ahead who stops math after precalculus in 11th grade.
Sure it’s common when you consider the number of kids who graduate hs each year. Your difference is you’re thinking of applying to some very competitive colleges.
What major?
A lot of folks will say, WTH, X didn’t and he got into some college. Or he got into Duke, etc. But you don’t know what tipped those into the yes pile. Take a breath and see what’s feasible. On another thread, I said senior math isn’t mandatory. But that kid was humanities and would complete AP calc AB in junior year.
You would not be stopping taking math if you followed this sequence. You would be taking all of the math available to you and expected of you based on your middle school math placement.
In contrast, someone placed in advanced math in middle school (i.e. algebra 1 in 8th grade) would have:
If this latter student decided to take no math course in 12th grade, the more selective colleges with holistic review may question why s/he stopped taking math even though there is another more advanced math course to take.
OP if you do decide to do a math class over summer, talk to people who can advise you which class. I know nothing about math but for some reason our sons thought pre-calc at community college over the summer was the way to go.
) on the internet.