Hi! I’m a high school junior and am currently considering two majors- nursing or chemistry (not both). I really like chemistry (it’s my favorite class and I put a lot of effort into it), but I am not great at math. I currently take Algebra 2 and I struggle to even pass the class. I have little to no confidence in the subject, and it makes me nervous, as I am sure college algebra/any mathematics would be an even greater challenge. Currently in chemistry I struggle on basic significant figures and scientific notation, which I also plan on studying over break- but it really concerns me. I stay after school for help, but sometimes if my teacher asks me what the answer to a problem would be, I completely freeze (I have an idea of what my answer would be but am literally unable to even form a word)- I have the same issue in Algebra. It honestly makes it really hard to learn, and I don’t know how to push past that.
What math and science classes would I be required to take when pursuing a chemistry degree, so I know what to focus on (obviously focusing on all my other classes as well)? I care a lot about my future, and I just want to know what I am getting into, and what I need to improve on, to see if it’s a route I can seriously see myself succeeding in.
For a college chemistry major you’d be expected to complete a year of college math (generally calc I and II), which would serve as a prerequisite for some of your chemistry courses. You might also be encouraged to take calculus-based physics. If you continue successfully through pre-calculus in HS, then this path will remain open to you.
Yeah, if my school’s prerequisites remain the same, it’d be impossible for me to take pre-calc my senior year as I would’ve had to have Algebra III or Honors Algebra II and Academic Geometry- none of which I have done. I don’t know how else to make my schedule help me for college, except taking physics, but I would like (if I can get myself together) to take Organic Chemistry/ Honors Biology my senior year, and physics would be a lot to undertake with that.
Well, you might seek a college at which pre-calculus is offered. This will preserve your options as far as math is concerned. I don’t think you should leave HS without basic physics, however. A course such as that might be extremely challenging to make up for later.
How hard is the math in physics? As in, if I am really struggling with Algebra II, am I basically screwed for it? Obviously I need to improve in that area, but it is very daunting to me as of now.
For introductory HS physics, you will need basic algebra, some trigonometry and comfort with the Pythagorean theorem. Overall, you might find the math needed for physics simpler than that which you’ve encountered so far in Algebra II.
A chemistry major will need to take single variable calculus. Depending on the school, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and/or differential equations may be required.
I have absolutely zero experience with trig or Pythagorean Theorem (the latter sounds like geometry to me which I have not taken). Should I try and brush up on it over next summer? (I know this is a lot of planning in advance but trust me, I focus on my current work at the same time).
The Pythagorean theorem represents a geometric principle, solved with algebra. You might find it interesting that the Scarecrow cites it (incorrectly) in The Wizard of Oz. Rather than wait until the summer, I’d recommend you learn the theorem and a few of its applications (i.e., practice some problems) within the next few days. This will give you an idea of where you are in relation to where you would like to go.
What math have you taken?
For instance, why would you need to take algebra3 before precalculus and how come you’ve not taken geometry?
Are you in chemistry regular or honors?
My schedule is sort of complicated because I switched to public school after cyberschooling for a year- so I had taken 2 years of Algebra 1 (9th and 10th grade) and switched to Algebra 2 this year (11th)- I was originally supposed to be in all academic classes when I first came here in 9th, if that had happened, I would currently be taking Geometry. At my school, there’s Intro to Chemistry, Academic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry- I take Academic.
I have no clue why Algebra 3 is a prerequisite for precalc.
Why did you take 2 years of Algebra1? Can you double up with Geometry this year, adding the course now (online perhaps) in addition to Algebra2?
Typically the sequence is Algebra1-> Algebra2/Geometry->Precalculus (-> Calculus or Stats)
I was misplaced in 9th grade (hence my comment on I was supposed to be in all academic), then took Algebra Intermediate (I live in Pennsylvania, had not taken keystones yet, they put me there- basically Algebra 1 1/2)
Oh, well, I originally was in geometry then switched out because I felt my Algebra skills are weak and wanted to improve for college. Pythagorean Theorem, I kinda taught myself that online. As for the class, when I was there, it was near impossible for me to name the various angles- that’s how far I got in the year before I left, anyways.
Too late to make that drastic of a schedule change now, but I can definitely practice various geometry topics online- won’t count for my schedule though.
I’ve got bad news: you’re not on track for a chemistry major and you may not be on track for a selective college either.
You’re going to need to take online and/or summer classes. Ask your GC what online programs are recognized.
Check your schedule to see what’s missing from the list below, designed for a minimally selective 4-yezr college :
4 years of English, preferably some accelerates or honors
algebra1, algebra2, geometry, precalculus
foreign language 1+2 (same foreign language)
US history, 2 other full years of social Science or history (preferably global or world history)
How in the world did you miss so much of the typical sequence? I’m curious what schools you attended. Was cyber a public cyber charter? Why did you not take the Keystones?
You do not need to do Honors or accelerated English to get into a minimally selective 4 year institution but you do need the other subjects @MYOS1634 mentions. Physics is also not absolutely necessary. Some people skip it altogether and do Earth/Physical Science + Bio + Chem + Bio II or something else like Environmental Science if they choose to do 4 years of science.
It sounds like you developed some stress around math at some point and this bizarre schedule/mixup didn’t help with your confidence or maybe you have a learning issue around math. How were your final grades in Algebra? Do you have a guidance counselor?
@cctoalaska: I agree that for a typical minimally selective college Physics would not be necessary, but OP wants to major in Nursing or Chemistry, so one basic course in Physics would be necessary in addition to a thorough grounding in Biology and Chemistry. Environmental Science and/or Anatomy to round that out for a future science student would be great indeed.
As for Honors/accelerated English, generally, I’ve found that regular English at most high schools requires very little writing, which prepares very poorly for college. Some write very occasional one-page essays, that’s it. Writing skills take a long time to develop and can’t be acquired in just one semester of college. So, one Honors English class would be a good way to ensure not failing due to undeveloped writing skills.
@edgeoftheworld : can you be reclassified as a 10th grader? it seems you have so many gaps in your education.
@MYOS1634 I think that is really ill informed advice. Very few schools have students take Physics as a matter of course. I agree about English being a fluff course at a lot of high schools but it is far from being a requirement to be admitted to a selective, especially a minimally selective college to have enrolled in an Honors course. My daughter went to a hyper-college prep school where a fifth of the graduation class will go to Ivies and pseudoivies and their English offerings were so horrible I advised her to leave. I think it’s just the name of the game right now that no one cares about rigor in the Humanities. That’s why colleges typically have to teach it all over again and also undo bad habits from high school writing.
But that is the last thing the OP should worry about. He hasn’t taken a minimal course sequence in math to be admitted to college and he never took the Keystones. He needs to make sure he can graduate with the minimum first. I think reclassifying as a 10th grader makes sense.
Oh boy, lol. Seems like I’ve left out a few details. @MYOS1634 first of all, I am in advanced English. For foreign language, I am currently in my second year of Spanish. History, I am currently in advanced.
As for the Keystones, oh my gosh I took all 3 last year (10th grade) haha- I meant when I came to this school in 9th grade they didn’t want me taking them as I didn’t take Biology at my old school. I passed all 3 of them this past spring. @CCtoAlaska I went to PA cyber school (so public state run). Next year, I would be taking Geometry (don’t know what level yet).
This has been such a pain in the damn butt ever since I got to this school. I hate it, and have no idea why this even happened. I really would rather not repeat/drop down a grade unless I ABSOLUTELY HAVE to.
Really, I have no clue where to start now, I had no idea I was this behind, and it really isn’t even my fault, my gosh.
Edit: I finished with a B in algebra last year.
@edgeoftheworld that makes a lot more sense! I couldn’t figure out why you would not have taken them through cyber. Did you take Algebra 1 in 8th grade, too? Congrats on your B in Algebra. What kind of school are you in now? Can you transfer back to PA Cyber and finish out there? They could probably get you back on track for graduation. I am still completely confused why you are repeating Algebra 1 especially since you passed the Keystones and did well in the class - was it a remeditated classyou took Freshman year? In Algebra 2 you would have had a chance to review so if you didn’t feel you were on solid footing the first time around you would have had a chance to improve. So would you take Algebra 2 senior year at your current school? Also, have you taken any tests like the PSAT 8/9 or 10? How did you do in those?
