<p>On USC's website (and most colleges' websites), it says taking a fourth year math and science class are strongly recommended. I took first year math and science (Algebra and Earth Science) in middle school, so I'm a year ahead in those subjects and finished Intuitive Calculus and Physics this June. Do I still have to take math and science senior year (APs if I do take them), despite the fact that I took four years of math and lab science already?</p>
<p>You should take 4 yrs of math and science IN HIGH SCHOOL. It will NOT “look good” to the admissions committee if you did NOT take the most rigorous classes available at your HS, when you could have done so, or you “took it easy” your Sr year. So if there are science and math AP’s that you have not taken, do so.</p>
<p>in Addition, AP classes will help you prepare for the rigors of college, and the placement exams you’re required to take once accepted to college. AP classes can also get you out of the most basic introductory classes. Skipping math and physics your Sr year will likely mean you will not do as well in placement tests.</p>
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<p>I don’t agree with this statement AT ALL. I did not take four years of math in high school – and I got into USC just fine! I “could have” taken all the AP Math and Science classes but I didn’t! It did not hurt me, nor did it adversely affect my college career by choosing to skip/not take these classes.</p>
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<li><p>APs do not waive GEs at USC and only a handful of APs count towards introductory major coursework. If the student is planning on being an English major, Bio AP will not help him during their time at USC.</p></li>
<li><p>Not all students are required to take placement tests, either. I never had to take a placement test at USC.</p></li>
<li><p>This student doesn’t sound like he would be one to go rusty at a placement test anyway. It sounds like he’s exhausted his options.</p></li>
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<p>I think it just depends on who you are as a student and your courseload. If you’re hoping to be an engineering major – then yes, you should take four years of math. I knew I wasn’t going to enter the math or science fields, which explains why I opted not to take Calculus in HS – but it’s also not like I cut math out of my schedule and took basketweaving in senior year. I replaced the math/science classes with challenging humanities classes (ie: AP Music Theory, art history, additional literature classes) related to my major and academic interests.</p>
<p>If there is a higher math/science class you can take senior year and you want to be a math/science major, then do it. If you’ve exhausted your choices of classes at your HS, consider taking a class at a CC. If you’re not interested in being a science/math major, I think you can explain your accelerated course plan (because you did take 4 years of HS math, just faster than everyone else) and replace math with another AP class (government, music theory, art, art history, statistics, etc.) that is available to you.</p>
<p>there is a big difference between student whose talents ARE in the STEM areas, as exemplified by the OP, and students whose strengths are in other areas. I encouraged this student to take 4 years of Math and science, because that area is an obvious strength and NOT taking 4 years of math and science would make him less competitive, compared to the thousands of other applicants to the STEM programs at USC. I would follow USC’s advise.</p>
<p>My school only requires 2 yrs of science and 3 yrs of math. My counselor told me that all UC’s and USC will accept that. Now I guess this isn’t true and now I’m a senior! What do I do? Will USC know that my school only made me take these?</p>
<p>As a recent applicant, here’s my thought:</p>
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<li><p>This goes for every major and every school: go where your strengths are. If you’re a math kid, take AP Calc or AP Stat. If you’re a liberal arts kid, take AP histories or languages. Personally, I believe that everyone should take one (or both) AP English…but that’s just me. Anyway, go where your strengths are. </p></li>
<li><p>I am NOT a math/science kid-with one exception, my B’s were the math/science classes. I took a science senior year, but not a math. I had 3 years of math and 3 years of science. My math was a year ahead (I took Algebra in 8th grade). I never took a math or science AP. </p></li>
<li><p>At the same time, I had 4 years of French, English and History and good grades in all of those classes, plus a bunch of APs in those fields. During my interview, my interviewer asked if I had anything to say about my academic record and I said, “well, I’m not really a math or science person…” He laughed. But remember, I’m an Annenberg student and this was an Annenberg interview.</p></li>
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<p>And lifeofsolitude-aim for another year of science. And maybe another year of math, if you’re good at math.</p>
<p>There are several admissions committees at USC. For Dornsife (all Lib Arts majors), the main USC admission office will very much look at the number of rigorous courses. They particularly look to see that a student is challenging themselves–so if you are taking all “easy” courses, they will look at your GPA accordingly and it can’t help you. </p>
<p>For some of the Schools (Marshall Business, Viterbi Engineering), rigor of math will be considered, and also science for Viterbi. Be aware that these different schools look at transcripts independently from main admissions.</p>
<p>For more arts centered Schools (SCA, Thornton Music, School of Theatre, Roski Art) the number of advanced math or science courses, or number of APs concern them far less if the student shows talent and serious involvement and achievements (awards) in their field. These also tend to weigh auditions and/or portfolios heavily. </p>
<p>However, there is good reason to take and do well in AP Bio or AP Chem, plus AP Art History or AP European History–no matter which major you eventually choose. At USC, getting a 4 or 5 on the AP exam will give you credit and waive you out of 2 required GE courses. That gives you more space to double major, get a minor or two, or just take electives that matter most to you.</p>
<p>I don’t want to worry you applicants, but it is best to be the most competitive applicant you can be. Taking a rigorous courseload and doing well is one of the ways to show any admissions committee you are a student that will thrive. </p>
<p>Those who are pursuing arts and humanities may not have to feel handcuffed to the toughest math and science, though. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Well…now that I’m a senior I’m going to be taking both Chemistry and AP Statistics…will USC keep in mind what my school has done? Plus my school doesn’t offer any other sciences unless they are APs…the only regular classes are Bio and Chem which I’m taking this yr. :p</p>