Senior Year Course Load - No Math???

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

Hi everyone!

I’m currently a senior who is planning to apply to Stanford SCEA this November and I was a little bit worried because my senior year course load looks a little light.

I’m taking AP Lit, AP Human Geo, AP Physics, and French 3 but no math classes. I took AP Cal AB in my junior year and was supposed to be taking AP Stats this year, but my school cancelled the class at the last minute and since AP Cal AB was the most advanced math class offered at my school, there aren’t any math classes for me to take this year. I was wondering if this is something that I should explain in the Additional Comments section of the Common App or if I should just not say anything about it at all. I’m just worried they’ll think I was too lazy to take a math class this year.

Also, I had an 89% in my AP Cal class, but got a 5 on the exam. Will it make up for the B? Thank you!!

2

Definitely explain the fact that you maxed out your mathematics course options. But also look for an option like taking a college course.

A 5 won’t necessarily make up for a B (especially at a top school like Stanford) but it can show that maybe the class was more difficult but you still understood the material.)

3

IMO, this is something better explained in your counselor’s letter. S/he is going to indicate whether or not you took the most rigorous course load. Explaining that you have exhausted your math options at your school and that you desired to take an additional class but that it was canceled just seems like a piece of info that would be better coming from the counselor. Can you talk to him/her and express your concerns? Ask the counselor’s advice about who should mention it? You obviously can’t dictate what your counselor should write, but I think you should get his/her opinion.

Any option of taking an additional math course online or at a local CC?

4

Okay yeah, I think I’ll talk to her tomorrow and see what she says. Unfortunately where I live there aren’t any CCs with available courses and online courses aren’t really an option for me. :confused: Thank you both for the advice!!! I really appreciate it!