Math class senior year?

Applying to College
1

I am a senior in high school currently taking Psychology (Dual Enrollment), AP English, and AP World History. My plan for next semester was to take Sociology as well as Spanish VI at a local college. Because I am majoring in International Relations/Studies and had completed Pre Calc junior year, I didn’t think I necessarily needed to continue with Calc. However, both Madison and Ohio State (my top colleges of choice) show that most of their admitted students took 4 years of math even though 3 (up to Pre-Calc) is what they require. Will it hurt my admission chances if I decide not to take Calc senior year? Or is it okay as long as I compensate with other challenging courses? For reference, I have taken 5 years worth of English, Spanish, and Social Studies courses, so I am above the requirement in these subject areas. I’m trying to figure out whether it would be worth it to drop either Sociology or Spanish VI in favor of Calc. Any advice is appreciated!

Thank you!

2

I would suggest you to drop sociology and take calculus. You are correct that your competition will have 4 years of math.

3

Ditto. I’d drop the sociology and take the math. Just because you reached the right math level doesn’t mean you can skip math senior year.

4

I’d definitely drop sociology and take calculus. If you strongly prefer to drop Spanish senior year you can do so as long as you have completed a four year sequence in the language (which it appears you have).

If you look at the common data set (section C) for Wisconsin-Madison it says that 4 years of math are REQUIRED. https://uwmadison.app.box.com/s/vcxo3q1826uq6zfjntr773wcmen3x0cx Ohio State RECOMMENDS 4 years of math but requires 3. https://oaa.osu.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/irp/cds/columbus/IRP_CDS_2018-2019_Columbus.pdf

IMO your applications to these colleges will be at a disadvantage if you don’t have the fourth year of math.