<p>I'm only going to be a Sophomore in high school this up and coming school year but I was on the Cornell website and it said I must take pre calc to apply to the college of agriculture and life science? However, I can not take pre calc until my senior year (if that is even possible for me). This year I'm taking Geometry, and then as a junior I need to take Trig. A prerequisite for Pre-Calc is Advanced Math Topics but there is no possible way I could take that and Pre Calc my senior year. I am a fairly good math student, my average is in the mid-90s. My school doesn't allow for courses to be taken outside of the school to be factored into gpa. Does that mean if I took pre calc outside of school Cornell wouldn't see it and automatically deffer me? Cornell is my dream school! :)</p>
<p>If you take precalc outside of school you would send Cornell (and other schools) a transcript from that school as well. You could explain on your application where/how you are taking the course.</p>
<p>I am surprised that your high school does not have a sequence that would let you get from geometry in sophomore year to precalc senior year. Would it be possible for you to double-up on math this year and take both geometry and trig? Or next year take both trig and advanced topics? Most US high schools that I know of have only 1 class (usually called something like Algebra II with trig) between geometry and precalc.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for responding to me! When school starts I’m going to discuss this issue further with my counselor. I just hope it will not hurt my chances of getting into Cornell.</p>
<p>I think as long as you have pre-calc before you graduate, you are fine. You may need your guidance counselor to clarify when you apply that you are on track to complete pre-calc before graduating. I think if you took the math class at a local college that would be fine, but as always, it’s best to clarify that with your school and admissions.</p>
<p>Sounds like you weren’t on the “advanced track” in Middle school to begin your math sequence one year earlier than the typical student? Schools don’t realize that they virtually eliminating the students chance of being admitted to the most selective schools by excluding them from this track, unless they go outside of their school (which can be a real hardship & may result in having to give up an EC) to take it , as has been suggested by other posters.</p>
<p>I know someone whose son got accepted to CALS at Cornell and he never took pre calc. I would take it if possible but if not, you will probably be fine.</p>
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<p>…you can always find exceptions, but if the applicant hasn’t taken Precalc & 97% of viable candidates have, it puts them at a disadvantage. My D didn’t want to take AP calc. her senior year, but did because she knew it may have hurt her chances for admission. Applicants want to make every effort to take “the most rigorous courses offered at their school”.</p>
<p>Okay CALS is rather lenient on the requirements… but it’s highly suggested that you take at least basic calc by the time you get in. Basic calc is a necessity in MANY fields of study and when it’s not required it may still help with learning… and honestly it’s not so bad. Also, you want to appear as a well rounded applicant.</p>