Hi everyone! I am currently a freshman, and really want to be admitted into the University of Notre Dame, and UMICH as an engineer and business major. However, my school is not allowing me to take Honors level math courses next year because my average is off by a few points. Are my chances of admission over since my math level is not high enough? Thanks!
No, one track of one course does not doom your college career, though you likely will need something to counterbalance it. Can you move to the Honors track if you do well next year? Do well in what you take, do well in your science courses, excel on SAT, especially Math, and the Math 2 subject test, etc. Dozens of pieces of information go into a college application and acceptance process.
It’s certainly more difficult to get into Engineering vs.someone with more advanced math coursework. But my daughter is at a top 10 engineering school and her freshman roommate didn’t have any Calculus in HS, let alone an honors class.
A football fan, are you?
Are there summer bridge classes you can take that allow you to jump tracks? Is there an assessment test you can take to find out where you’re at and where you need to be? Are you able to double up on math (take geometry and algebra 2 simultaneously) so that you will make it to a calculus class senior year?
Have you talked with your teacher about wanting to move up? What is their opinion? Does the school have openings in the honors level class? If you don’t do well in honors, would you be able to move back to college prep easily?
You’re asking the question at the right time. Even though it is too early to have your heart set on a particular school, it gets harder to jump tracks in math later on in high school.
On the track you will be on can you take calculus as a senior? If the answer is no it may hurt your chances and you may want to look into some of the options detailed above.
In addition, the very top tier colleges will want to see the guidance counselor check the box on the recommendation saying you have taken the most rigorous course-load available at your HS (which doesn’t mean taking every AP class – there is often some latitude in this). This is another topic to discuss with your guidance counselor when you schedule.
Geez, you would actually give up on your dream if someone agreed with you? Do the best you can and everything else will take care of itself. Maybe also talk to the teacher that teaches the class you want just to get their perspective on the “why” you can’t take the class. Maybe you can do something in the next few months or over the summer to convince them further or take an assemement exam at the start of school to see where you need to be placed. Getting your parents involved might help. I am not one to take no for an answer.
Is there any chance if the math they place you in is obviously not challenging enough for you, that they can move you up?
There is always an exception to any rule.
If not, just make the most of it and do your best.