I’m currently a junior in Algebra 2, and I could take Pre-Calc next year. I’m also interested in taking AP stats, and I’m most likely going to major in (broadcast) journalism, communications, or political science. Since my major isn’t really related to math or science, would colleges care if I didn’t take Pre-Calc, and took AP Stats next year instead? (I’m planning on taking 5 APs next year, and I’m taking 3 this year if that helps give a better idea of my stats)
It is better to take precalculus so that you will be ready for calculus in case your major needs it. Remember, you may change your intended major between now and when you are in college, so you do not want to close doors to various options too early.
Check out the requirements for admissions for these majors at the different colleges to which you would like to apply.
What college? I would check the curriculum for your major and see if Calc is part of it. Having an intro or even taking Calc would help tremendously in college. Calc is one of the core classes that is required in a lot of majors.
Although I would agree that Statistics is closer to your major, a lot of colleges do require calculus. If you are required to take calculus in college, you’ll have a much easier time of it if you take pre calculus in high school. Statistics can wait.
NO college will require calculus for a Communications major or Poli-sci major. A thorough understanding of statistics will, however, be required (algebra-based statistics).
The question here is Precalc v. AP Stats: precalculus may be required for admissions at some universities depending on where you apply.
You should email all universities you’re thinking of. For instance, Mizzou (public flagship gold standard for journalism/communications) requires 4 years of math and doesn’t indicate “Statistics” on its list of acceptable classes nor does it indicate statistics on its list of unacceptable classes, just that it must be Algebra I and above to be acceptable (AP Stats requires Algebra1+2). They DO give credit for AP Stats. So you need to email them and see whether it’d be an acceptable class.
Denison, which has a very strong Narrative journalism concentration as well as PPE in addition to Poli Sci,
https://denison.edu/academics/narrative-journalism
https://denison.edu/academics/philosophy-politics-economics
https://denison.edu/academics/lugar
The combination of Algebra 1+2 and Geometry + AP Stats would be 100% fine there.
Same thing at American University.
So, you need to look into your desired universities and see whether your plan works for them or not.
Perhaps no college will require calculus specifically for those majors, but a few colleges with those majors may require calculus as a general education requirement. While it may be unlikely that the OP will attend colleges like MIT, Georgia Tech, or the Naval Academy, the OP may want to consider whether s/he may change to a major that will require precalculus or calculus. In that case, having precalculus in high school would be better preparation.
A student who hasn’t taken precalculus or calculus in HS is not admitted to MIT or GTech, nor would they be applying there for political science.
Taking precalculus is generlly a good idea but it really depends on the college aimed at. If the student is aiming for AU they’re okay. For G’town I’m guessing calculus would have been better but that’s water under the bridge.
Thank you so much for the feedback!! I’m definitely going to look and see what colleges I’m interested in will require 
Thank you, I will definitely take that into consideration!
Thanks for the feedback! I do agree, I’m still unsure of my major so my requirements will change. I will most likely take pre-calc and see if I can fit AP Stats in my schedule if I have room.
My son is basically a political science major, and in no way does he need calculus for his grad requirements. However, he’s actually very happy now that he took Calc AB his sr year in HS, although at the time, it was the bane of his existence…
First, although he didn’t get a 4 on the AP exam that would have given him credit for a semester of college calculus at his university, he did perform well enough on the university’s math placement exam to place out of the gen ed math requirement–and the math classes, even algebra/trig and pre-calc, are HUGE time sinks and potential GPA traps for non-STEM kids at his school. And as an engineer, I do understand and support math requirements for all in college–but if the students can get their math background before college, more power to them!
Also, he’s now in a physical science class for non-science majors (I refer to it as ‘physics for poets’), and he’s a little amazed that he’s one of the few in the class that understand the math background.
Thus, I think it’sa good idea to get as much math in high school as you can. It can only help you, and prepare you for any number of college classes.
Thank you, that helps a lot and gives me a really good perspective!!
I also say don’t just look at admissions requirements, but look at what math requirements there are at your potential colleges for your potential major. Almost all college require a “Quantitative Reasoning”. Look up graducation requirement for the “arts and sciences” part of college and see what options there are. Generally they are a Stats type course or a Math and Calc for Poets type thing. So either would be fine.