My school is offering us a chance to take calculus in the summer. We will go to a summer course for about a month and end up also taking it next year. If we don’t go to the summer course however, we will be forced into taking a “different kind of math” when we go to our senior year next year. Only about 10 people from my class are going to the summer course and whoever doesn’t will be forced to take the different kind of math.
I don’t know how the people who don’t go will be able to apply for whatever major they want if it needs calculus. A ton of people can’t go because they’re traveling or just in general busy. The school is only allowing like 10 people to go anyway. I’m conflicted on whether or not I want to go. I didn’t do that good in Pre last year and considering this builds off of that, yeah… I don’t know how good I’ll do. We go from 8-11 everyday except Saturday. We need to pay $300 at the end of it.
I’m worried it’ll be a waste of both time and money. I don’t know if psychology (what I want to major in… for now) needs calculus and I just don’t know if I want to go. My dad will already spend quite a bit of money on an SAT math tutor so this added on to that will anger him. I don’t know what to do. Is it worth it? Should I go?
Is this a public school? It sounds a bit unusual to require a summer school class as a pre-req, unless it is based on a certain grade in pre-calc. Also uncommon to have weekend classes. Can you self-study this summer and take a placement test or some alternative way of showing you learned the material if you want to do this? What is the alternate math class?
Very few colleges require calculus - a few programs recommend Calculus, usually STEM programs and there you would be at a disadvantage if you haven’t taken it if it is offered at your school. What they do usually require is math to a certain level or number of years.
As a rising senior you should have a list of colleges you are considering at this point (not your final list, but some idea of where you are looking). What do some of your target schools want for math classes?
Yes. Calculus is hard. Taking a summer prep course for it will help you to do well in it from the beginning. And if you’re planning on majoring in psychology, you’re going to need higher math (although more likely statistics than calc) for analysing studies.
So if the reason that you don’t want to take the course is because you don’t want to do the material, don’t, but don’t take Calc in the fall, either. Take statistics. But if you are going to take Calc in the fall, take this prep course.
Do you want to place out of calculus at U of Central Florida? What score would you need and does your high school offer the correct AP class that UCF accepts? . In general you might as well take the preparation class in math, it will help tremendously to your math success. Psychology majors also need probability, statistics and data analysis classes. But do take the calculus class to get exposed to it in high school. It could open doors later.
If you are in Florida, look at applying to UF Gainesville as well, although it will cost more. You may qualify for Sunshine Scholarships, look into that. Gainesville is smaller than UCF, and well ranked compared to UCF. Both are football crazy if you like that sort of thing. My brother in law, and two nephews attended UCF and one other caveat there is some majors REQUIRE an internship and UCF will not help you land the internship! The internships requirement causes a lot of students to take five years plus to get a bachelors degree. Check that out carefully, if you want a four year bachelors degree program.
Look at other high aid private schools in Florida like Stetson University that offers very good merit and financial aid, for psychology. Also Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. If you live in greater Orlando, you could commute to Rollins, by the way to save money. Stetson is a great price and a little broader focused than Rollins College.
Our school has Pre-AP summer assignments for many AP classes, including calculus. They give you the opportunity to have a structured class to get it done in…and with help.
I would suggest taking this class and preparing for Calc. Having taken Calc in HS will give you the most options in College.
Thing is, I don’t have much time to decide. The first lesson was yesterday and I am going to miss tomorrow too. That is already two days missed. I don’t know if I should go.