If I am applying to stevens for Engineering and am not taking Calculus my senior year what are my chances? I plan on taking Calculus in the summer at my local community college anyways.
The 2018-2019 Stevens catalog (page 22) lists the following high school preparation:
“For Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Sciences and Quantitative Finance: Four years of English; four years of mathematics (one year of algebra; one year of geometry; one year of pre-calculus; and one year of calculus); three years of science (biology, chemistry, and physics).”
The Stevens admissions website reads:
"Recommended Coursework
Your academic record should show satisfactory performance in the following areas, depending upon your chosen major of study.
For Engineering, Computer Science, the Applied Sciences, and Quantitative Finance:
Four years of English.
Four years of mathematics (one year of algebra; one year of geometry; one year of pre-calculus; and one year of calculus).
Three years of science (biology, chemistry and physics)."
https://www.stevens.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-apply/first-year-students
The wording in the catalog is that “Your high school coursework should show strong performance in the following areas”. It does not say that calculus is explicitly required, however, it strongly recommends that you take one year of calculus. If you do not, you will be at a significant disadvantage compared to the typical applicant who has taken calculus in high school. I would think that the community college course would count, however, you would need to take the equivalent of two semesters in the CC to satisfy the one year recommendation.
The coursework at Stevens is very rigorous and the courses move at a fast pace, which is characteristic of all engineering schools. Calculus is the foundation of the majority of the coursework; physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, strength of materials, electronic circuits, and all of the fundamental science and interdisciplinary and special/disciplinary engineering courses use calculus. All engineering schools today recommend that the applicants take calculus in high school to have a basic familiarity before starting the freshman course. Very few actually require it, but again, one will be significantly disadvantaged if he/she doesn’t have it.
Contact the admissions office and ask, I am certain they will be happy to talk to you and answer any questions you have.
I would also add that even if you take calculus in high school, Stevens sends out a letter saying that they recommend you still take their entry level calc course (I forget the exact wording). I have two sons who graduated Stevens, both took calc in high school and did well, both got the letter. Both chose to skip that particular course and move on and did well anyway.
ime Stevens puts an emphasis on having a good understanding of calculus as a freshman and does provide support so that students have a solid background after taking their course.
I also agree that you will be at a disadvantage if you do not take calc as a senior because you will be competing against other applicants who will list calc as being taken, with good grades.
Also: if you do not like calc, I think you should reconsider picking Engineering as your major.
Taking calculus in the summer in a condensed version will be no walk in the park.
My S19 is applying to Stevens and he is in AP calculus this year but we would like to see him take it again wherever he ends up.