<p>My sons gets great grades with the exception of one subject: Math. I know colleges want rigor, but im also interested in protecting his GPA. Right now he has completed algebra and the next sequence at his school would be Precalc->Calc 1 -> Calc II (all college level). </p>
<p>How important are those additional math classes from an admissions perspective ? Should he take them even it means pulling his GPA down ? The hit would probably be between an quarter and a half a point.</p>
<p>What are the alternatives?</p>
<p>What does he want to major in? In some majors, colleges require higher math to get in (think science, engineering). The school my DS wants to go to requires Calc to get in the department.</p>
<p>It also depends on which schools he’s applying to.</p>
<p>Hasnt decided on a Major, but he is considering music and computer science. </p>
<p>Instead of math he could take other college level classes at the community college (social science, english, electives). </p>
<p>Current college list includes U of MN, U of WI, Northwestern and U of C.</p>
<p>Check the schools he’s interested in. Computer Science may require the higher math.</p>
<p>If your son is interested in pursuing a degree in computer science at a school of the caliber of Northwestern or the University of Chicago I would think a 4th year of math would be imperative. Your son should be taking the next math course in your school’s sequence and doing the best he can in it. The world won’t end if he takes a challenging course and his GPA takes a minor hit.</p>
<p>Computer science requires the ability to think mathematically, as well as typically requiring college math courses like calculus, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics, with more advanced math courses like abstract algebra and number theory being useful in some subareas. A student intending to major in computer science would best be served by taking as much math in high school as is available (precalculus minimum, calculus strongly recommended if available to the student).</p>
<p>Music majors may not have any specific math requirements, but completing precalculus at a minimum is a good idea for all college-bound high school students, in order to avoid needing remedial math courses in college as prerequisites for other courses that the student may want to take or which are required for graduation from the college.</p>
<p>If you want a shot at those schools for computer science, my best advice is have them go ahead with the calc but get them a tutor either through the school or an outside service. Tutors can do wonders for kids who struggle and that way you still have a shot at some really good schools. Anything less than calc nowadays is pretty much insignificant at major schools like the ones you’re mentioning.</p>