Senior Year Schedule? Calc or PreCalc?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hi, I go to an early college academy where I take high school and college classes at the same time. I took Math 3 at my high school this year and was able to test into Calculus (MATH 1A) for the community college through Accuplacer. I have heard this class is really hard and some people have recommended to take the second half of PreCalc at the community college instead (Math 8B), so then I can take Calc my second-semester senior year. The only reason I am wary about this is because I know colleges want to see me taking rigorous classes. The PreCalc is still a college class, but I just do not want to take it and then hurt my chances for college. I am worried about Calc since I have a weak foundation in Algebra 2 and PreCalc. Which class should I take? :frowning: Does a C or B in Calc mess up my admissions? Should I just take PreCalc and get an A?

I will be applying as a Biology major and below is my schedule (without math ofc)

1st SEM:
AP Gov
Sr Project
AVID 12
English 1C (Critical Reasoning and Writing, College)
PHYS 1 (Intro to Physics, College)
Some sort of Math

2nd SEM:
AP Macro
Sr Project
AVID 12
PHYS 2A (General Physics I, College)
Calc if I don’t take it first semester
Java (college)

2

Just take pre calc first semester and calc 2nd semester.

3

Since you do not feel confident in your preparation, take Precalc. Taking a math class you are not ready for and bombing it will not look good to colleges, either.

Do your physics classes require calculus? Make sure you line up your physics prereqs and your math.

4

I would agree with taking Precalc, then Calc.

Why are you taking both physics for non-STEM-majors (“Intro to Physics”) and regular physics (assuming that’s calc-based)?

5

Another vote for PreCalc.