No calculus...is it really that bad?

<p>Junior year I took honors pre-calc and it was a disaster. I ended up getting a C, then improved slightly and got a C+ second semester. Therefore, I decided to take AP Stats for my senior year math course. I've still taken some of the most rigorous classes at my school, including AP Chem and Bio. In terms of everything else, I've done quite well. I know that Cs are never good, and calculus is a plus, but I wanted to know if I have a chance anyways, so...</p>

<p>OOS
GPA: 4.6 W, 3.7 UW
Rank: Top 3%, class of around 300
SAT: 1470 CR+M, 750 W</p>

<p>APs: U.S. History, Art (Drawing), Euro History, Biology, Chem, Art History (self-studied)
Senior year: AP Econ Macro/Micro, AP Stats, AP English, AP French, AP Art (2D)
I've taken all available honors classes since freshmen year, and will have taken nearly all APs that are offered.
My senior year grades are really good so far, with a huge improvement in math (A- in AP Stats) so the midyear report should help.</p>

<p>ECs:
HS Tennis Team (4 years) (We're second in the state)
HS Soccer Team (2 years)
State Science Fair (1 year)
National History Day Regional Winner (1 year)
National History Day State (1 year)
Head Tutor of Peer Tutoring Program
JV Math Team (1 year)
Band/Pep Band (1 year)
Art Galleries (3 years)
Youth Group (3 years)
Appalachia Service Project (1 year)
Part time job (16 hours a week)
National Honor Society
French Honor Society
Science Fair Air Force Award
In Vitro Award for Biology
Outstanding Student in French
Published Abstract by the International Society for In Vitro Biology
Scholastic Gold Key
Merit Award (3 years)
Dean's List every semester</p>

<p>Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it!</p>

<p>seems like you have a lot of great credentials! i was just accepted ed, and i know w&m does a holistic admission process so its not like there is one thing that will immediately get you accepted or rejected. i am actually taking calculus right now, which was a huge leap for me from ib math studies (which is considered the most basic ib math you can take, and is not pre-calc material). but my sat reading score was not in the middle 50% for w&m, so i understand why you are nervous. calculus is just recommended, i am guessing the percentage of students who have taken calculus is not 100%. well, i know that because i was the only ED student admitted from my school who has taken calculus, while others were admitted who are not in/have taken calculus.</p>

<p>Hey there, I never took calc, and I was accepted ED too. I am currently taking stat. I feel like as long as your schedule illustrates a sufficient amount of rigor, you shoud be fine. Plus, your SAT scores are so high, I’d be surprised if they rejected you over calc. Good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks for the help! I was really nervous because I know I kind of blew it junior year with pre-calc, and I lost my chances at a lot of schools. Those stories make me feel a lot better!</p>

<p>As already mentioned, no one factor (such as a C or lack of calculus) automatically means you’re denied admission. It’s clear that the C didn’t have a huge impact on your GPA/rank as you’re still top 3%. Do we prefer calculus? Yes. Do we require it? No. Do students gain admission without calculus? Yes (as you can see from other responders).</p>

<p>Your SAT score, rank and courses seem very strong and are certainly the caliber that we like to see in our applicants. You also seem very invovled in extracurricular activities which is also appreciated.</p>

<p>You didn’t mention if you’re in-state or out-of-state (we admit about 37% of in-state applicants, 27% of out-of-state applicants so obviously it’s a bit more competitive for out-of-state students). As a highly selective school, we are unfortunately forced to make difficult decisions leaving some wonderfully high-achieving students without an accept letter which is something every applicant must keep in mind, but again, no one class, grade or activity will automatically make someone an admit, waitlist, or deny.</p>

<p>For more an any applicant’s chances for admission, check out our Admit It! Blog ([W&M</a> Blogs Chance Me](<a href=“http://blogs.wm.edu/2010/12/14/chance-me/]W&M”>http://blogs.wm.edu/2010/12/14/chance-me/))</p>

<p>Thanks so much for replying. I was hoping that my other credentials, in addition to my recommendations and essays would help make up for it, so knowing that W&M takes a holistic approach is good to know. I am out of state, just to clarify. W&M is definitely one of my top choices, so thanks again for the information!</p>

<p>Anytime. You can learn more about our approach to admission at our Admit It! Blog ([W&M</a> Blogs Admit It!](<a href=“http://blogs.wm.edu/author/admiss/]W&M”>Admit It!, Author at The William & Mary Blogs)) at any time</p>