Hello all I am in quite a dilemma at the moment. I just started my senior year and my AP AB calculus class is already stressing me out an insane amount. I took AP Statistics and Pre-AP Pre-Cal my junior year. My required math credits are fulfilled. I am applying to USC, UCLA and have automatic admission to UT at Austin and Texas A&M University. I won’t be heartbroken if I don’t get in at USC and UCLA, but I would still love it if I were accepted. I have a 3.9 unweighted GPA and have taken 5 AP classes prior to this year, including AP Physics 1. My question is, will not taking calculus really hurt my chances of getting accepted to USC and UCLA? Or will it come back to bite me once I am in college, even if I don’t go to USC or UCLA? I plan on majoring in Environmental Science at the moment. I am taking AP english 4, AP enviro science, AP gov this semester and will add AP economics and AP psychology next semester. I almost threw up in calculus today because I was so scared to be called on and because all of the material was so confusing. I’m normally pretty good at math as I’ve made A’s in all of my previous math classes, but calculus seems like the exception. I want to drop it so badly but I’m afraid it will make me appear “less than” to USC, UCLA and even UT and A&M. If I were to drop calculus I would either take Dual Credit (which is like a Texas community college version of a college class offered in high school) Anatomy and Physiology or if I can’t get into that class as it is too late, become a teacher aide or maybe even take Forensics or something. Please help. I struggle with a panic disorder so I am really freaking out.
If you already have auto-admit at UT, then I’d say drop it. I mean, it depends on the rigor of the rest of your schedule–I would NOT recommend just taking a TA period, since that will look like you’re slacking, but you should take a class that’s a more appropriate difficulty or subject for your interests. Have a talk with your guidance counselor and then move forward. She can always explain why you didn’t take Calc if she feels it’s necessary in her rec letter.
Does your intended major in college require calculus?
High school calculus AB covers material at a slower pace than college calculus courses, so it may be a more gentle introduction to calculus than a college calculus course.
I second ucbalumnus’s advice.
Although it may be difficult, I would try my best to stick it out and get it over with. Chances are, you might be in a major that requires college level mathematics (your info suggest a tendency towards sciences, in my mind).
Keep in mind that college level mathematics will attempt to teach you the same subjects as APCAB in a much shorter amount of time. Even if you don’t take the AP test, it would be useful to at least have seen the material before hand.
However, if it will jeopardize your automatic admissions, then I can’t advise you to force your way through it, if you don’t feel that you can make it.
Unless you’re in-state for CA, I wouldn’t hold my breath for UCLA (USC is a maybe). Too much to pay on your part, so it might not be a feasible choice.
Thank you all for your input. I’m going to try to stick it out for the next week or so and maybe even get a tutor if necessary.
NotYetEngineer could you explain what exactly you mean by don’t hold your breath for UCLA. I’m applying but just wondering how good my chances are now
For out-of-state students, UC financial aid will not cover the additional out-of-state tuition (about $25,000). So your net price if you have financial need will likely be around FAFSA_EFC + $8,000 + $25,000, which will likely be too expensive unless you get some extreme reach scholarship like the Stamps one. (The $8,000 or so will be the self-help award of work study and federal direct loan.)
Check the net price calculator of each school.
Ah I see. I thought it pertained to my chances of being accepted. Thank you all for the advice