Im currently finishing sophomore year, rising Junior.
8th grade year in private school I did poor in Alg 1 and had to redo it for 9th grade. Ive always been very self conscious about it since only a very small amount of kids had to redo it and it killed my confidence.
9th grade Alg 1 was very similar to Alg 2. But I finished freshman year with about a 3.0-3.1. Then Sophomore year I tried to double up on Alg 2 and Geometry but Math Dept didnt let me. I finished sophomore year with a 3.4 (3.3 cum)
Im taking no APs, my gpa isnt very high, and im in a very low math for my grade. Do I have any chance at a decent university (say about 30-50% acceptance rate)?
I also tried to do Algebra 2 over summer since I feel alot is review from alg1 in 9th grade and math dept said no… 
This year I went from 3.1 to 3.4 and junior year I should be able to get 3.5 or 3.6 – but either way is it worth it to even try at this point, especially with my low math, or am I doomed?
Yes, it’s worth it, I had a 3.59 when I applied and got into multiple schools with acceptance rates below 30%.
@usualhopeful did you have any APs? Did you take Calc or Precalc senior year?
I had calc and a lot of APs, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying for you. If you’re only a sophomore, isn’t there still time to take APs?
Keep in mind that there are many great schools that have an acceptance rate of above 50%, and your self-worth should not be tied into your grades or college applications.
Do you have any favorite subjects that have AP classes at your school? Something like Eng or US history? Maybe you can try taking one next year.
Don’t discount your chances! My D had a similar math sequence as you, finishing with Pre Calc in 12th grade. Her cumulative GPA was 3.7. She went to a boarding school (not a super exclusive one) that did not offer APs.
She was accepted at 4 respectable colleges and received merit aid at all of them.
There is more to admissions than GPA, math sequence, or APs. Find your best qualities and polish them up - teacher recommendations, sports, extra curriculars, advanced study in an area other than math, volunteer work…
You are certainly not doomed. Go talk to the college counselor at your private school. You don’t need calculus to get into and be successful at college.
My dtr took AP Psych only. She opted for statistics rather than Pre/Calc and she got accepted to Marist (35%) Do the best you can, get involved in extracurriculars, clubs etc, write a great essay - you can’t go wrong!Do Not Give Up!
My D was on the same math track as you. She is currently finishing high school with regular pre-calc - not even honors. She was accepted at Tulane, Fordham and University of Pittsburgh.
Keep trying can’t make your GPA perfect but it can make it better then what it is now so give it your best shot. If you give SAT your best shot then your odds are bound to get better.
Get over your inferiority complex and know that IQ is more than a static number, a lot of it is a process, you can improve it with right efforts or drop it by not nurturing your mind. As long as your lower math level then others in school, if you aren’t thinking of a math heavy major in college, it’s not going to even matter in long term. Chin up and work hard. Never say never and who knows you may bloom later and become a big fish in a small pond in some school that you may not see highly now but it can become your launching pad to success.
Hi! Definitely apply- the worst that can happen is the school declining you. They like to see improvement throughout your high school years, so keep up the good work! Work on getting a good ACT or SAT score- that can do wonders for bringing up your odds of getting into a moderately competitive school. I didn’t take calculus in high school. I did take 3 AP courses, though I didn’t report any scores for them because my ACT allowed me to test out of the same courses. Good luck, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Honestly one of the biggest things schools are looking for now is improvement over time. Someone who went from a 3.2 to a 3.6 can sometimes be considered over someone who consistently had a 3.6. Showing growth means that at that college you will probably continue to get better and better. Students who remain stagnant show little drive to improve themselves. This means you need to sell yourself as an underdog in your essay. Show that you took a hard situation and overcame it. I was placed in special education classes in middle school, which set me back drastically among my peers. I had to work to overcome that and get to a competitive level. I was able to get into all my schools including Marist College and Fordham. I’m confident if you show drive and passion in your essay you can get into a school that will make you successful!
P.S. Marist is SAT optinal so keep it in mind if your SATs are a problem.