Do I suck for not having taken a calculus class before senior year?

Applying to College
21

<p>Here is a new student profile from a selective state university:
<a href=“http://opa.berkeley.edu/surveys/2011ProfileNewBerkeleyUndergraduates.pdf[/url]”>http://opa.berkeley.edu/surveys/2011ProfileNewBerkeleyUndergraduates.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>On the last page, it lists the most common courses taken by new freshmen and transfer students. In the freshmen list, several math courses show up:</p>

<p>613 Math 1A (first semester freshman calculus for math and engineering majors)
546 Math 16A (first semester freshman calculus for business majors)
313 Math 53 (multivariable calculus – recommended prerequisite 5 on BC to skip 1A and 1B)
263 Math 1B (second semester freshman calculus for math and engineering majors – needs AP credit)</p>

<p>So even at a selective state university, we see that only a minority of freshmen are good enough in math to have gotten a 5 on BC to skip a full year of freshman calculus.</p>

22

<p>Interesting, but how does it stack up for engineering students (CS counts as engineering at most schools) in schools such as these?</p>

23

<p>Yeah you suck.</p>

24

<p>Why do you say so?</p>

25

<p>I’m sure colleges won’t hold it against you that your school didn’t offer anything higher than Calculus; after all, you can’t really control where you live.</p>

26

<p>I was kidding emberjed.</p>

<p>:D</p>

27

<p>Your worrying too much; colleges will not penalize students for not taking the most advanced math courses if it’s not available to them. They have to look at your grades/classes in the context of your resources- your school’s offerings. You can’t control what you’re offered. However, if your plan works out, that would look great on your application, it’ll show that you are truly driven and focused. Good luck! :)</p>

28

<p>Oh. 10char10char</p>

29

<p>If you are planning on majoring in an area where Calculus is important (applied science/engineering/math) you are MUCH better off really understanding the concepts of whatever Calculus you have completed (if any), than you are trying to get to any particular class level.</p>

<p>Calculus to an engineering major is as fundamental as addition is to a 3rd grader - everything you will do depends on it some way, higher math, physics, etc. Learn it, and understand it (for real, not just memorize it for a test).</p>

<p>At worst you will be on pace with average students if you complete Calc AB. It will be worse if you rush into Calc III without truly absorbing Calc I and II.</p>