<p>So I'm going into my Senior year this Fall and I've always tried my best to compile the most rigorous course schedule I could. The one area where I've always fallen a little bit short is math. I took CP (General Ed) Algebra I my Freshman year, but moved up to Honors for Geometry and Algebra II/Trig. Unfortunately, I have read in some places that schools with rigorous admissions programs, i.e., UVA, William and Mary, USC, don't even seriously consider a student who isn't at least in AP Calculus AB, but since I haven't taken Precalculus yet, this would be impossible for me to do. Is there any truth to this? It just seems very unfair that I've spent the last 3 years compiling an impressive resume just to have my math placement at the end of 8th grade bar me from getting into good schools.</p>
<p>I do not think you’ll find there is unanimous opinion about your question. I, personally, don’t think you need to take calculus if you are not a math person. You will, however, need to demonstrate genuine academic strengths in other areas if you’re aiming for those top-notch colleges.</p>
<p>I think you should continue to take math through precalculus. You shouldn’t drop precalculus for something less rigorous like consumer math. (Even though way more people would benefit from a class in consumer math then would benefit from learning about logarithms and trigonometry.)</p>
<p>The bottom line for me is this: you are who you are. If you’re a good student who’s just not as good at math as other subjects, then be honest about that, give precalculus your best effort, and take your best shot those selective colleges. I think that a student who is capable in math but just doesn’t want to keep taking it would be shooting himself in the foot by not taking calculus. I’m not sure the same standard applies to you.</p>
<p>Of course, I could be wrong. I don’t always say this about applying to really selective colleges, but it couldn’t hurt to try.</p>
<p>Very few universities actually expect or require entering frosh to have taken calculus in high school. This means elite engineering-math-and-physical-science-focused schools like Caltech and Harvey Mudd, not state universities and larger private universities.</p>
<p>My high school doesn’t even have AP Calculus AB.
I doubt most colleges would reject someone just because they didn’t take calculus. It’s just recommended.</p>