Should I take an extra math class in the summer?

<p>Hi,
I'm currently a Freshman in High school and did Geometry in 8th grade and I'm getting A's in Fast Math Algebra 2. Should I do Pre-calc over the summer so I can start AP Calc in 10th grade? I wouldn't want to do it over the summer if it would eventually prevent me from getting A's in calculus. Is pre-calc much harder than algebra 2? Would this impress adcoms much since I'm already ahead in math? Btw I want to be a dermatologist when I grow up and probably major in pre-med or biology. Should I do a summer class later on in high school? Eg: AP stat over the summer since its not continuous like pre-calc and calc are?</p>

<p>Considering that Algebra 1 is considered a 9th grade class, you are already two years ahead of schedule for normal students, and a year ahead of schedule for students who want to study Calculus in HS. Unless you want to pursue higher math (Differential Equations and the like) before college, there really isn’t need to speed up your math studies any further. </p>

<p>Please know that many medical schools will want you to take general calculus in college, not in high school. For reading on that topic, visit the Pre-Med Forum.</p>

<p>Neither pre-medical requirements nor majoring in biology will require you to be more advanced in math than you already are, although pre-medical requirements may include an actual college math course or two (calculus or more advanced math).</p>

<p>Being two years ahead of the normal sequence as you are already (without summer courses) would have you taking college sophomore level math at a local college as a senior in high school anyway. This is already more advanced than the college freshman level calculus that may be the minimum requirement for pre-medical requirements or biology majors (be sure to get A or A+ grades, since all college courses count toward your medical school application GPA).</p>

<p>Statistics is useful in medicine and biology, although usually a more in-depth (compared to AP) college statistics course is required.</p>

<p>Note that no specific major is required to do pre-medical requirements. If you really like math, you can major in math (or statistics) while also doing the (other) pre-medical requirements.</p>