Hi everyone, this is my first post on college confidential. I am a junior and have taken four math classes already as I took both bc calc and ap stat this year. Next year I have the option of either multivariable calc, which is actually offered at my school, or I can take ap computer science, which I would prefer to do to get coding experience. Would it look bad though if I went a whole year without taking a math class?
Thank u all in advance I really appreciate your help!
It depends, what do you want to major in?
Normally it wouldn’t since you’ve already completed high level math courses, but if you’re doing a math heavy degree then it would be good to get some extra math under your belt
Btw when I mean selective colleges I mean both ivy leagues and also top tier public schools like Michigan or Georgia Tech
I’m not particularly sure what I want to major in, likely either economics or something pre-med, I was just wondering if not taking math for a whole year was taboo or something
I don’t want to sound too pushy but does anyone else have advice? I only have a day to make this decision. Also I would especially appreciate advice from any admissions officers out there.
As a parent…I would advise you to take BOTH the math and the AP computer science if you are intending on a STEM major. Absolutely take the math if you are thinking Econ. I think not taking math senior year looks like you are slacking off.
It depends on each college. Some have required high school curriculum and state that they want to see 4 years of math. Some even go so far as to state the level of math they want to see you have taken. Other schools have recommended curriculum and state that they recommend either 3 or 4 years of math. Go to the websites of the most selective schools you are looking at. Find the page in the admissions section that lists HS course requirements or recommendations. If you intend to be a qualified candidate at the most selective school on your list, then you will need to follow their guidelines.
Yes. I agree with labegg, take both math and AP cs.
So when they say four years does that mean four actual years or just four courses? Because I have four courses but not four years.
No they usually mean “credits”. So yes “technically” you are done and do not “need” to take another math course. However, with that said…I still say not taking another math looks like you are “slacking” particularly if you are intending on a STEM degree. Would you be ok not taking the math… probably…but why not put yourself in the best light possible. My D16 recently found out that she does not need the AP Calc class she just took for her intended major (in fact she should have taken AP Stats) it was a “5th” math credit for her. she could have stopped last year at Pre-AP Calc she only needed 3 math credits to graduate and most of the schools she applied to only required 4 credits of math. But the other poster above is right, it all depends on the schools you are interested in applying too and what they require. I am simply saying that from a general standpoint you should take MATH, SCIENCE, ENGLISH and SOCIAL STUDIES every year you are in HS is just looks better. Unless of course you are planning on a fine arts major and even then there is a reason they are called “core courses”.
I’m in the same position too. I’m going into senior year and I’m a GA resident and I know that ga tech requires you to take a calc class before college. I want to major in finance so I don’t think multivariable is really necessary but it may be to get into that school and other top public schools I want to apply to (UNC Chapel Hill, UVA, Michigan). Any advice for a business major?
My senior schedule is already pretty difficult with 5 AP classes and I wanted to take AP Environmental for an easy class