I’ve been homeschooled through seton, which is a program that barely recommends math and science, all my life. I followed the recommended courses throughout highschool, though I added chemistry. However, I still have never taken physics and I’ve only taken Algebra I and Geometry. So as of now my plan is to take PreCalc and physics at the local community college, do you guys think that will be enough to catch me up for the program? Furthermore, who would I email at the school to see if I could still be accepted by taking these classes in the spring? My main concern would be that since you’re supposed to apply soon, the classes wont count toward my admission since I’ll be taking them in the spring or summer.
Which school or schools? If you are applying for Fall 2017, you can submit your application and note that these 2 classes are in progress but they would need to finished by Spring 2017. With Algebra 1 and Geometry, to at least meet the minimum Math requirement for the schools of interest? What about Algebra 2/Trig? You usually take this Math class before Pre-Calc.
No crazy big schools, just some local schools in Pennsylvania, like York, Lehigh, or one of the pennstate campuses. I did forget about Trig, but I asked around and most people just said to skip Algebra II or college algebra as it won’t matter that much. If you think it’ll be important do you know who I’d contact to find out? Just the admissions counselor? Also thanks, I figured I’d just have to say that these classes are in progress but I just wanted to make sure.
So if I did have to take Algebra my plan would be Physics, Trig, and Algebra II in the spring and precalc in the summer.
Algebra and Trig are the basis of calculus. Would NOT skip them without thoroughly learning the material.
Alright in that case I’m curious if I could just take a college Algebra course? Will that prepare me enough for the material?
I’m sorry you are so far behind in math and science. I am confused as to what yr you are and exactly how you have been following Seton.
I know many high achieving, extremely successful young adults who were educate exclusively using Seton. Seton’s high school sequence includes math to calculus. http://www.setonhome.org/high-school-course-guide/mathematics-courses/ And they also offer chemistry and physics. http://www.setonhome.org/high-school-course-guide/science-courses/
Students who complete Seton’s high school materials as enrolled students earn an accredited diploma. When they apply to college, they can apply as graduates of Seton, an accredited private school.
I’m a senior and have been following the recommended classes on seton’s official website. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming seton for this, & I know they offer these classes, however until the end of my junior year I had no idea what I wanted to do and instead listened to my moms advice, which was basically you’ll never use algebra outside of high school. This post was more to ask what I’ll be expectedto know coming into college, as I can take community college classes to catch up with my peers.
If you want to study civil engineering, you will have to understand trigonometry well. It is mandatory for analyzing forces in trusses, for example. I would recommend learning it before you start college. You’ll need to hit the ground running when you get to college, unless you want to take longer than four years to graduate (and that’s hard to do, even when you come in fully prepared).
I am trying to understand what you have actually taken. Did you follow the general diploma track which specifically states that it is not college bound? http://www.setonhome.org/wpsetonhome/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Sample-High-School-Course-Schedule.pdf
If those are your courses and you live in PA, you will face difficulty being accepted into PA universities without a GED. It does not look like your homeschool has complied with PA law. I’m not sure how things work in PA or wth a GED.
Homeschoolers in PA wanting admission to universities face this requirement:
The above information and more can be found here: https://pahomeschoollaw.com/basic-graduation-requirements-pennsylvania-homeschool-law/
Do you have a supervisor over your home education program? Is that required for all homeschoolers in PA? It is confusing bc I would think that the supervisor would not have missed such glaring holes in your education which does not meet even minimum college admissions requirements. I am concerned that you face huge hurdles in applying to college. Admissions to PA universities as a homeschooled student is pretty specific and requires meeting their minimum guidelines.
You need to contact someone in your state familiar with the homeschooling law and college admissions. Without really knowing, I am suspecting you will need a GED and will need to attend a CC in order to not only fill in your missing courses but also probably complete 2 yrs of gen ed college level courses in order to apply as a transfer student. There is probably a homeschooling association you can contact.
I’m doing the acedemic diploma program, but instead of Algebra II I took business math. I’ve taken physical science, biology, and chemistry. According to the list you posted I’m fine, but the only thing is I know i need more advanced maths and sciences to be accepted and do well in a STEM degree. I can take the needed classes in community college this spring, so I’ll be okay I think. I appreciate all this concern though! Thank you so much
Alright, I’ll definitely take trig in the spring then, but still my main question is will colleges mind it if I take these classes after I apply?
You need to contact admissions and talk to them. You have to include your sr courses on your transcript, so alg 2 and physics would be on your transcript as planned for spring. But, the issue you have to face is the competitiveness of admissions. You need to look at the freshman profiles for the different schools. If engineering is a more competitive admit, your transcript is going to be weak.
Do you have standardized test scores? Subject test scores? As a homeschool student, your test scores are going to carry more weight than grades.
This is a good site for getting an idea of the general admissions info for schools: http://www.collegedata.com/
OP, look at less selective schools for engineering, for sure. There are some that will take you if you have 3-4 years of math, physics in senior year, good gpa, and good test scores.
My son was weak to be an engineering applicant, but applied to some schools in engineering anyways. However, he was stronger than you and had a strong SAT score. He applied to about 6-7 majors, and ultimately, did not have an interest in engineering. Here are his engineering results, fyi:
SAT: 2230
SAT II Math 730, Physics 610
GPA u/w: 3.84
Community college classes related to engineering
Junior year courses: Trig (fall), Intro to engineering (fall), General Physics (algebra/trig based) (spring)
Senior year courses: Pre-calculus (fall), Calculus I (spring)
Univ. of Alabama, Huntsville (great school and good scholarships)-admitted for Mechanical Engineering and honors program
Stanford-Denied for Product Design (engineering degree)
San Diego State University-Admitted for Mechanical Engineering
UCLA-Waitlisted for Electrical Engineering
Cal Poly SLO-Waitlisted for Mechanical Engineering
Missouri S&T-Admitted for Metallurgical Engineering
South Dakota School of S&T-Admitted for Metallurgical Engineering
He was not a strong engineering applicant. He was admitted to the schools that have high admit rates, and waitlisted or denied at the selective schools except for San Diego State.
As long as you are shooting for schools that have an admit rate above 60%, you may have a shot at an engineering school. Anything more selective, and I honestly don’t think you have the background.
Thanks for this, because of money I was never looking at any bigger schools, which are normally the ones with smaller acceptance rates. I definitely realize I’m a weak candidate but I’m willing to work hard to overcome that as best as I can.
Thanks for the link, I’m fully aware I’ll be a weak candidate and don’t plan on applying to really competitive schools, I just hope the work I do in the spring/summer will be enough to give me a shot.
I’m not sure you do understand. Lehigh, for example, has a 30% admission rate and academic rigor of high school courses is “very important.” You will not pass that threshold, even if you do take those classes spring and summer.
I don’t want to discourage you, but you do need to be realistic. Rigor means AP or equivalent in math, science, and probably at least 1 other area. Kids taking AP cal BC are completing the equivalent of cal 1 and 2. Some of kids reach that threshold in their jr yr and take linear alg, multivariable cal, etc. Some even get their younger.
Even if you complete pre-cal and physics, your high school courses are avg and do not pass the most rigorous threshold for schools with such a low acceptance rate. Look for schools with over 60% like @sbjdorlo suggested.
You can still become a civil engineer. You may just have to take the detour route. Starting off at a CC and transferring is a viable option.
OP - have you taken the SAT or ACT? If so, what are your scores? I am a math professor and can usually tell from those scores how quickly you can make up lost ground in math. Definitely suggest the detour of a CC to shore up the math. Also, you need to check out the HS homeschool requirements as well -as others have already pointed out.
I just took them on the 1st so I’m still waiting on those scores, but my practice tests have been between 1300-1400, averaging like 630 in math if I remember correctly. I have checked the homeschool requirements and will be able to graduate this spring. Do you think College Algebra and Trig in the spring and pre-calculus in the summer will be enough for me to catch up? I’ve never really had problems with the limited math I’ve taken, and I had to teach myself almost all of it since my parents aren’t very good at it. Thanks!
@mninek Whatever you do, please don’t rush through math. If you really want to be an engineer, your math skills need to be rock solid.
What are you doing for math right now? You could start alg 2 right now. Take a look at Derek Owens’ website. His classes are asynchronous (meaning you can start whenever you want and work at your own pace.). He offers math through calculus. http://www.derekowens.com/course_info_algebra2.php
Thinkwell is another option: http://www.thinkwellhomeschool.com
You can start physics now as well. DO also has physics in addition to math.