<p>Should I take calculus, physics & trigonometry to be a competitive applicant?</p>
<p>Depends on the school. Generally I say yes, but how good are you at mathematics and science? And is this physics calculus-based?</p>
<p>actually depends on the major more than school. engineering? for sure.</p>
<p>For the top schools, I’d recommend you to have taken up to at least AP Calc AB by your senior year to be considered competitive, regardless of your major. Also, a year of physics is advisable (preferably a year of biology, a year of chemistry, and a year of physics). There have been people who’ve gotten into the Ivies without having taken calc, but these are pretty rare.</p>
<p>I’m definitely not a math & science person. My EC’s are based around writing, the environment, volunteering, and the arts (guitar, theater, some dance). Not sure about my major yet…
I didn’t take honors math & science my freshman year (big mistake, but whatever) soo I’m behind. Over the next 2 summers, I’m planning on taking math/science courses so I can catch up (1 this summer, 1 the next). I’m taking AP Bio, Chem or Enviro next year and Algebra 2.</p>
<p>^ Although you aren’t a math and science person, you should be well-rounded in a variety of subjects and areas to stand out. You need to demonstrate proficiency in various unrelated fields. Adding math and science to the mix of what you’ve listed would be pretty well-rounded, in my opinion. Some social studies wouldn’t hurt, either.</p>
<p>I was only mentioning the math/science courses which I’ll be taking. I’ve taken the most difficult English & History courses so far, and am taking AP English and AP US next year. I’m in Honors Bio and Honors Geo this yr. Sorry, but what do you mean by “various unrelated fields”?</p>