<p>DS is selecting his classes for next yr. (senior). He's had 3 yrs of math which is all that's required to graduate. His math choices for next yr are either pre-calc or statistics. He doesn't really want to take either but his guidance counselor thinks he should. Reasoning is that many Colleges include a math class as part of gen Ed credits & this would provide some continuity. He's looking at art schools like mica & mass art as well as some univ like VCU for either illus or graphic d. Should he take the 4th yr of math or pick a different elective?</p>
<p>i would say he would need to take precal before graduating</p>
<p>Many colleges give a competency test in math (foreign language also). Not taking such in your senior year is asking for poor scores, possibly even more math than you are expecting. D did well on her tests and was not required to take either in college, she would attribute that to having taken math and language in her senior year. Check for specifics with each college, they will vary. Also consider senior math helping with SAT. College credit may be available for pre-calc through AP or CLEP testing also.</p>
<p>IDK. I’m a college interviewer (the name of which is obvious from my moniker). My husband is a Med School Adcom. Here’s our advice for what it’s worth: if your child were asking to be a scientist, engineer or doctor then precalc, etc. is pretty much required. But both of my children turned out to have artistic leanings and we fought tooth and nail with my youngest daughter’s high school to let her take AP Statistics instead of Calculus - why? because statistics was more applicable to her career goals and we knew the colleges she had in her sights didn’t really much care which she took.</p>
<p>At some point, you can alleviate your anxiety by simply calling admissions offices to inquire. Many post their requirements online (some with suggested classes). My favorite is Cornell which lists high school prep by planned degree program. It varies between departments. Most art schools don’t care whether your child took precalc or stats. Many look primarily at portfolio. CalArts is a good example. They’re highly ranked but don’t even look at test scores. Another waives tests completely if you’re grade point average is high.</p>
<p>So if your child is going to a major university with universal requirements - then yes, he should take a math class. For some colleges it is virtually required. But for many the choice of which is moot given his career goals and the specialized schools he is looking at. High school counselors push a standardized set of class requirements to make sure your child has maximum options upon graduation. But that doesn’t mean those choices are set in stone.</p>
<p>My dd did not do well in math. Her senior year she did not take any math and only made it to the same level as your son. She wanted to do art and got into MICA, MassArt, Ringling, RIT, Tyler (where you have to get into Temple first) and all other schools she applied to. I would say that if you have had contact with some of the admissions officers at the schools your son is looking at, give them a call. They will answer your questions. We had questions about science, as my dd did neither physics or chem (instead took AP EnviSci and Micro Bio) and we wanted to make sure her choices would work. All of the schools responded quickly and some on the call. Good luck. I found that sometimes the high school wants your kid to take a class because they want to be able to say something like, “95 percent of our kids take____”. JMHO</p>
<p>My D had the same experience as phillyartmom’s D. She too was not a math star and by senior year had all the math she needed to graduate. Her GC wanted her to take a 4th year of math which would have probably played havoc with her GPA. Instead she took a marine science class which she loved and did well in, but before the GC would let her take it, we had to promise we would call the art schools she was applying to to see if they required that 4th year of math. So we promised and looked it up online. She applied to and got accepted at MCAD, KCAI, NHIA, her top three choices, with merit money for all. No one cared about the math.</p>
<p>My D didn’t take math at 12th grade.But she take precal at 11th grade.She already got into SAIC($78000 scholarship),MICA.VCU this year.</p>