Okay so when I was in 8th grade, math wasn’t my strong suit, therefore I never got into the track that would allow me to take calc (my high school track ends at precalc)… It sucks because I have become a pretty strong math student and know now that I would have been able to handle being in the advance path. Anyway, I have a 4.0 unweighted gpa, an array of extracurriculars (captain of volleyball team for 2 years, president of model UN, on student council, editor of school newspaper, easily over 100 hours of community service, I tutor, have my own birthday party business, on various school committees, etc) and although I haven’t taken my SAT/ACT yet (I’m only a sophomore and intend to keep my stats looking like this until application time), I am confident I will do well on them. With all this in mind, even without ever taking a calculus course ( by the time I am sending out applications I will have taken a few other AP’s), and assuming my grades and activities remain in tact, is it possible for me to get into an Ivy or Top 15 school? This is something that is really worrying me…The fact that a decision in 8th grade could affect me getting into a dream school is killing me.
See if you can change your track by adding two math levels in a year (one per semester).
However, moving on to your actual question, it really depends on what your degree is that you want to pursue. If you are pursuing economics, physical science, or any other degree that is highly focused on math, then you should try to fit in calc somewhere. If it’s a degree like social services, tourism, film, law, etc. then don’t fret about it too much. Also, contacting the schools could be a good way to answer your question in full.
Thank you so much…I am not looking to go into a degree that has anything to do with math, and actually may contact the schools I am interested in!
Some of the most selective colleges do list calculus while in high school as an expectation for high school applicants, but others do not. In some cases, only applicants to certain divisions or majors (e.g. engineering division or majors) may be expected to have calculus in high school. You need to check the admission pages of each college.
For example, Cornell lists at http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/admissions.cornell.edu/files/2017%20Freshman%20Requirements.pdf that calculus is expected of frosh applicants to the engineering division, but calculus is not specified for frosh applicants to other divisions.
I know someone who got into Dartmouth, Cornell, and WashU (full ride) without taking Calc. I think she took precalc AB or AP Stat senior year, so it’s definitely possible.
@oPhilippos, I don’t think that there is precalc AB- have never heard of it. I have heard of AP Calculus AB though. And AP Calculus BC.
Getting back to the question- while I do think that’s it is possible to get into an Ivy without Calculus, I think it will be more difficult. You will be competing with students who took AP Calculus and applying as social science and humanities majors.
A while back, this question was posed to an admissions person and the answer was that there was a preference for Calculus simply because it demonstrated capacity for critical thinking.
But why the focus on an Ivy? Be sure to find things that really interest you and keep you engaged. Find colleges that really fit. Do not focus on prestige.
Agree that the focus on an “Ivy” is misguided and shows a possible uninformed and uncreative mindset. That said, the one kid I know currently at H did not take Calculus.
Many kids at top schools don’t have Calc. It is not going to ruin your chances, provided you don’t intend on majoring in something that is going to require Calc. If you think you might need it, do it during the summer at a local CC. Talk to your Gc about your best options.