<p>Okay so I'm a sophomore in high school and I really do not enjoy math. That being said, I am in advanced classes for my age and in an accelerated program. I have taken pre algebra, algebra 1, algebra 2, and geometry and this year I am taking pre calculus. Now everyone has been telling me that colleges only look for four years in math and I could just not take any after this year. That idea sounds great to me, but I am looking to go to very prestigious colleges. For junior and senior year if I continued I would have to take ap calc ab and then apcalc bc. But there is also ap statistics and regular stats. If I just took maybe stats next year or not
even any math class would that really hurt my chances at an ivy league school? How much math do they expect you to take and what looks good on college apps?</p>
<p>Sorry this is so long, but I'd really appreciate answers!</p>
<p>Two things. A college will see that you have not taken math for 2 years and therefore think you did not take a rigorous courseload which is bad. Also going back to math after not doing it for 2 years would be hard and not enjoyable. If your not liking traditional math, then take AP Stats next year. Then if you really hate math that much then you can take a year off (idk about your high school but mine requires 3 years of math to graduate). I recommend 4 years of math and definately checking a colleges admission requirements before dropping it.</p>
<p>If you are trying to go to prestigious schools, you really should take math all four years. Some kids even double up in math within a year so it would hurt your chances significantly. Math is a core subject and it is only going to get tougher in college. Avoiding math in high school will put you in a bad position in the future. You might as well learn it now rather than struggle later. Like the above poster said, try AP Stat or perhaps get a tutor for higher math classes.</p>
<p>You also need to check the graduation requirements for your particular HS. Our local HS doesn’t just require 4 years of math, it also requires that you take math credit in your senior year. So even if you’re on the advanced or accelerated track in math, you’d still be required to take some math credit your senior year. Our HS offers several alternative classes which qualify for math credit (computer classes, etc.) so that might be a possibility for you as well. As others have said though, you need to check the requirements of colleges/programs you hope to attend to see what individual classes they might require.</p>
<p>In my honest opinion, math should be a class you have to take all four years of high school, alongside english. It really CAN’T hurt, no matter what profession you want to go into. You don’t necessarily have to take Calc though, AP/regular Stats is just as good, sometimes even better!</p>
<p>Most prestigious schools expect you to take four years of math in HS (not doing so can definitely hurt your chances).</p>
<p>Also, knowing advanced math (e.g. calculus) is essential in economics, medicine, statistical analysis, and virtually every field of science.</p>
<p>True, the algebra and geometry they teach in HS is rather boring, and some topics you might not even need (e.g. polynomial division). But it’s better to deal with it now than to struggle later.</p>