I was wondering if I should take a class at a community college my senior year.
My prospective senior schedule is:
AP Literature
AP Biology
AP Government / AP Economics (1 semester each)
AP Spanish
PE
Student Tutor
As you’ve probably noticed, I’m not taking a math class next year. I am taking AP Statistics this year, which comes after AP Calculus (which I took sophomore year), and Stats is usually the last math class people take (usually seniors take it). I was wondering if I should take Calc BC at my community college, since I only took Calc AB my sophomore year (at my school you decide between Calc AB or Calc BC). Apparently the community college classes are less difficult than the calculus classes at my high school, but I’m still hesitant to take BC since I’m not good at math. I got B’s both semesters in AB.
On the other hand, I’ve been considering taking perhaps something like Art History at the cc.
So I guess the question is should I take Calc BC, Art History/Philosophy/something humanities related, or do nothing? Would colleges think my courseload isn’t rigorous enough for my senior year if I don’t take an additional class? Would colleges be confused if I take BC after taking AB since my high school only lets you pick one or the other?
I want to apply to LACs and I want to major in English, if it’s relevant.
Looking at it, I have to admit that your schedule is pretty rigorous already. I think you should take a AP humanities class rather than Calc BC. Since you are an English major, colleges won’t penalize you for not taking BC.
Community (and other) colleges do not typically offer AP classes. You would take either Calc I or Calc II there, likely Calc II. If you are not planning to major in engineering, I don’t see the need to take another level of Calc since you have AP Calc AB.
@blprof Yeah, I’m not worried about having/not having enough AP classes. I just want to know if I should take another class. Are you saying something like Art History would be okay? I’m just worried about how colleges will view me for not taking a math class senior year.
Since you have Calc AB, which is the highest math MOST students have, even at competitive colleges, I do not think you need another math jsut to show you are taking a math class. Again, if you are applying for engineering or MIT/CalTech type schools, that might be different. Take something you are interested in. Art History is a good choice because the credits will likely transfer for general education/social science/art credits at most colleges.
Look at some of the colleges you might possibly apply to. See what they have for requirements for HS students.
If they say take 4 years of Math, then take a math course.
Which one? If you did well in Calc AB and like Math, then take Calc BC. But if you get college credit it will count for your college GPA so make sure to do well.
if you are not that into Math, then take AP Stats.
@bopper I didn’t do well in Calc AB – I got B’s both semesters. I’m taking AP Stats right now. I’m definitely not taking Calc C/MultiVariables or anything.
Many say they “suggest” 4 years of math. Also, does math go sort of like foreign languages, where even if end foreign languages your sophomore year (example), but it was AP Spanish, which is the equivalent of 5 years, they look at that as meeting the requirements. Does this apply to math?
However, if you have completed calculus while in high school, that should satisfy most colleges’ high school math requirements or recommendations for admission (this includes UC and CSU, except that UC wants you to have had an actual geometry course in high school or middle school). Check each college’s web site if you want to be sure.
I think you could be fine with the schedule as is, not need cc, if you’e aiming at the right level of LACs. On another thread, you predicted a total of 9 AP. Have you taken 4 at the same time before? if not, this may be enough work for you to manage.
But I didn’t see world history or AP English language. Why not? Why worry about higher math when these are missing?
@lookingforward Right now I’m taking 3 APs. My English class is technically an Honors class (the most rigorous for juniors possible at my school), but it is geared towards the AP English Lang. test, so I will be taking 4 AP tests this May. I do find it out that my English class isn’t considered an AP, but oh well.
Ok, if I’m understanding, maybe use Addl Info to explain you took the highest Engl offered as a junior and chose AP lit in 12th, and try for a top score in the AP lang test.
Doesn’t offer WH or doesn’t offer it as an AP? Some hs offer geography or something else that basically covers the same- if yours did, ok.
But if you didn’t get some equivalent, consider WH online. I don’t think (and this is just me,) that college calc, art history or phil are as important as this, for a humanities major.
Aim for top grades this semester and in fall. Be sure to aim for a good LoR from an Engl teacher. And work on your essays.
@lookingforward Wait nevermind, I realized I took world history my sophomore year (everyone has to). But no AP World History, just the sophomore class.
I don’t think Math is like Spanish…with Foreign Languages they want you to get to some proficiency. Math is a core academic class and they want to see that you have been challenging yourself academically and not slackng off senior year. Talk to your guidance counselor. Sounds like Calc 2 at a CC is not for you.
Do colleges actually look at students who have completed both calculus and statistics prior to 12th grade as “slackers” in math if they do not have any math course in 12th grade?
I would take Art History first semester and Philosophy the second semester (because Spring semester the choice of course counts more than the grade obtained). However if you really have to take a math class, take calculus-based statistics: it’d make you review a little bit of calculus but wouldn’t be nearly as intense as calculus 2, and it’s a great class to have on a college transcript.
The four years of math recommended by colleges would be easily met by completing Calc AB in my opinion. I can’t imagine that any admissions officers would look at your not taking math in 12th grade as some sort of deficiency. There are plenty of students who never make it past pre-Calc, since for most students not accelerated in math, the four years would include Algebra 1, Geometry, Alg 2/Trig, and pre-Calc. I don’t think the recommended four years means literally the four years you are in high school.
