I took algebra 1 in 9th grade because I didn’t want to take geometry because I dislike math. I still have all A’s in my math classes, I’m just at higher levels in all other subjects, especially science.
In most cases, completion up to precalculus in high school is at least nominally acceptable by these schools.
Exceptions would be Cornell engineering and Penn engineering and business, which specify calculus in high school, and Columbia engineering, which prefers calculus in high school.
However, at schools as selective as those schools, it is likely that the vast majority of entering frosh have taken calculus in high school. http://features.thecrimson.com/2013/frosh-survey/academics.html indicates that 94% of Harvard frosh in 2013 had calculus or higher math while in high school.
At my school they offer a summer geometry course so that people who can’t test into geometry freshman year still have the chance to take calc senior year. You should talk to your counselor and see if there’s a summer or online option to get you ahead.
In response to “I didn’t want to take geometry because I dislike math” if you want to get into an Ivy League school you need to take the hardest courses that your school has to offer, which would most likely include some challenging math classes. If you’re serious about this, you need to keep in mind that these schools are extremely selective and you’re going to have to muster up the motivation to take the hardest classes possible! You don’t necessarily have to take all APs in every subject, but you need to challenge yourself especially since, as comment #1 states, such a large portion of Harvard students take the hardest classes (including calc). Good luck!
It won’t automatically exclude you but most people have stronger backgrounds.
Most students don’t have that option as geometry is a HS graduation requirement. While a college will not automatically reject you, most applicants to top colleges will have more advanced math.
All great answers & I concur. In NY state, if you were not on the accelerated track & as a result did not get to Calc., you would be at a distinct disadvantage with admit to most selective schools, since most viable candidates from NY will have it.
Why do you want to attend an Ivy League school? It’s not even a matter of whether or not you’re academically qualified (I would say, probably not relative to other applicants). You’ve shown that you are not quite ready to take on the challenges of a top school. These kids do not seek an easy way out. In fact, they want to challenge themselves.