<p>I think that if you devoted the summer to understanding precalc and getting a jump start on calc, you’ld be fine. you wouldn’t have to worry about any other subjects. </p>
<p>if you’re that averse to taking precalc or calc (though you may have to take them in college then to fill in core requirements), then I would suggest taking APES if you can’t get into AP stats. it looks better than precalc.</p>
<p>@stressedouttt: OP has been identified as the 30% students who need a special classe after Algebra II. So, no, I don’t think teaching herself precal over the summer then taking calculus senior year is within possibilities, and for a future Humanities major taking pre-calc is pretty pointless especially as it’d be difficult to grasp and a likely bad grade - as OP reasonably asserted several times already, she only has a B+ in a “math bridge” class (called “Advanced math” - in many states it’s the class designed for kids who really struggle with math, so that they can fulfill their high school requirement, understand math basics, work on abstract thought, and not fail in regular classes that would be way above their heads, thus accomplishing nothing).
As much as some brilliant students may think it is, it’s not possible to wish yourself good at math. :s “Just do it” doesn’t work. Sometimes, a specific subject (it can be math, a language, etc…) really makes no sense.
There are many gen ed math classes in college that don’t require more than Algebra II and tie into cultural issues (geometry and art is a classical one), there are many majors in the Humanities that require no math beside the gen ed course, some colleges don’t eve have a core or gen ed so OP could totally avoid math depending on college choice, and even if OP changed her mind about her major, she could take the math sequence from the start.</p>
<p>AP Stats might be a good choice if you really want a math class, because it’s an easy 1 semester course spread over 2 semesters so the pace is okay; more importantly for you, it’s a totally different branch of mathematics than Algebra and Geometry. Definitively a better choice than pre-calc, because precalc is in the same branch of math as the math you have trouble with, it uses the same concepts but in more depth and it’s much more difficult. So essentially with precalc you’re setting yourself up for failure, for NOTHING. Go see the teacher who teaches AP Stats to see if they’d let you in the class even if you don’t strictly satisfy the requirement. Prepare your reasons why he should make an exception for you ahead of time (or you may have to talk to your GC and the principal, depending on your school’s structure).</p>
<p>Sure, colleges prefer to see 4 years of math. But if you have Algebra I and II, Geometry, and Advanced Math, that counts as 4 Carnegie Units. So strictly speaking, you have them. Now, if you were do to well, or if you were to continue towards a major that requires math, I would absolutely recommend that you continue with math. But if you plan on doing History, Art, Sociology, Foreign Language and Culture, Secondary Education… you don’t need to. I don’t see what you have to gain from it. </p>
<p>Yes I meant a “real” philosophy class from a local college. Many high schools have dual enrollment - you don’t even have to pay for the college credit, it transfers (you get “free” college credit once you enroll at your college of choice), and it looks good on your transcript. I said Philosophy specifically because it deals with abstract thought, like math - in fact, in many liberal arts colleges, you can substitute certain philosophy classes for the math gen ed requirement. You’d have to take only one-semester class at the college (although you may enjoy it and take another one, that’s not rare among high school students who enjoy the different pace -class only 2 or 3 times per week with more independent reading). Yes it’s a heavy workload, but then again, it’s your way of showing colleges that you’re able to handle complex classes, just not the math-related ones. Look into it, see if it’s an option, if only to discard it if it doesn’t work for you but at least you’ll have had a choice.
I know a couple kids who did that and it worked for them. It works less well if you take a college class like “intro to sociology”.
Finally, another choice is to take a Computer Science for Media and Communication class, at your high school if they have one, or at the community college if they have one. It’s a science class but it’s designed for non-science major, it’s very applied, etc.
(Generally speaking, colleges that require math and science tend to have classes for non-majors that specifically take into account the problems faced by students who may have trouble with the subject. The class is not in any way remedial, but the approach is different from a “straight-up” math or CS or biology class.)</p>
<p>Wow MYO, thanks for the advice! I’ll look into dual enrollment/comp classes/appealing to the stats teacher.</p>