I know that calculus is definitely a must in high school if your looking to get into an ivy league, so I was wondering if it was possible/recommended if I skip algebra 2 in my junior year and go straight to calculus. If not, would colleges consider the fact that I took it in 12th grade because i also heard that they don’t look at your grades or subjects in 12th grade.
It sounds like you want to skip both Algebra 2 and precalc (unless you mistyped - hard to tell). I know that wouldn’t be allowed at my kids high school. Is it allowed at yours?
At our high school, you can only get to calculus if you take Algebra 1 in middle school, or if you double up and take geometry and algebra 2 in the same year.
Colleges do look at your course rigor and grades in 12th grade. They’d like to see you continue to take a rigorous course load and do well. That’s why the competitive colleges typically ask for mid term reports after you’ve applied.
To be demonstrate a competitive math background you should try to get to as advanced a level of math as you can. In our school district students usually achieve this by taking Algebra I in middle school. Then in high school they take in sequence: Geometry, Algebra II, Pre Calculus, Calculus AB or BC.
If you didn’t take Algebra I in middle school, you can try doubling up on Algebra II and Geometry in your sophomore year.
Calculus in high school is not definitely a must for Ivy League. Four years of high school math at a reasonably rigorous level compared to what’s available in your school is.
Schools do look at what you take senior year, and they will look at senior year first semester grades. If you take precalc junior year and Calculus AB senior year (for example), they will consider that taking calculus.
If you’re considering majoring in a science-related field, you might want to consider doubling up on math or taking a summer course at some point. That’s just because many people started Algebra in seventh or eighth grade and are farther advanced. But if you’re not in a science field, and starting with Algebra is typical for your school, then colleges won’t hold it against you if you only get as far as is typical for many students in your school.
This looks really odd.
You would be skipping two years of high school math (algebra 2 and trigonometry/precalculus). Knowing that math is essential to do well in calculus and more advanced math.
You would also be taking two years of calculus to cover the equivalent of a semester of college calculus.
You should take geometry and algebra2 together the same year, then take precalculus honors. Is that a possibility?
Skip both precalc and algebra 2. You should end with Calc by senior year so that you won’t get stressed out in college.
Alg 2 as a junior doesn't indicate you are an advanced math student. I think you would know already if you were there.
Skipping algebra2 and precalculus is likely not allowed. Math is sequential. You cannot skip a part of the sequence, although ifbyoure gifted you can accelerate through some parts (through summer school for instance).
If you cannot take algebra2 at the same time as geometry, simply take algebra2H junior year and precalculus H senior year. Perhaps to emphasize your interest for Math you could double up and take AP stats.
On common app, in “additional information” you’ll specify the only way to reach calculus at your high school is to start algebra in middle school, which neither you nor your parents knew about, so you started algebra in high school thinking it was normal and only found out about starting the hs math sequence when you changed GC, when it was too late.