College HS class requirements

Applying to College
1

Hello! So I am looking into some schools, and I recently found out that some colleges require four years of science, math, English, etc.

I have opted not to take a science this coming year: i do well in science but it does not interest me, and I have no desire to do anything in the STEM field. I am fine with this decision, however I was wondering how strict colleges are about their HS class requirements? If I apply to a match school that requires 1 extra year of science and I do not take it, will that really make a difference between acceptance and rejection?

(I don’t know if this is important, but I’m also taking all Honors courses next year, with a few APs, so it won’t appear that i am “slacking,” I’m just not interested in science.)
Thanks! :slight_smile:

2

Yes it could make a dfference between acceptance and rejection. Certainly you will be at a disadvantage having a weaker transcript than other candidates, although I do occasionally see students that have deficiencies in core if they have good reason or other accomplishments. No one cares if a student just doesn’t like English, Math or Science, they are considered core classes to take for breadth before you specialize in a major. If you have bio, chem and physics and are just missing some freshman level science it may be viewed better.

3

What science classes have you taken?

4

Keep in mind that many students take 2 science courses in a year since many science courses don’t require a pre-req like math. So many students would end up taking 4-7 years of science courses! You are competing against these students. One kid at my school took 2 science courses every year except 9th grade year since he loves science and hated the electives. He ended up with 7 years of science courses!

Btw if a school requires something and you don’t have it is an auto rejection…

5

Okay. K. Alrighty tighty lefty loosey. Aightttt thanks.

6

It seems like I’ve read several similar threads lately. There’s a reason colleges call them “requirements,” not “suggestions.” Is it an auto reject? Probably not. But if colleges have a lot of applicants who met (or exceeded) their requirements, why would they take one who did neither?

7

K thanks.