if you “skip” something (for example not taking algebra2trig and taking precalc after Geometry honors) how would that look? they should be impressed with your “skipping” or would they wonder why there’s no trig on your transcript? and if you finish calc early, should you still complete four years?
sigh…i am so clueless
<p>I think if you go through BC calculus or its equivalent it won't matter if you skipped. I skipped two consecutive courses and I don't think it's going to hurt me any. I would think it would only be "impressive" if by skipping you used the time to take more advanced courses.</p>
<p>You need excellent algebra skills and trig to comfortably manage calculus. I would not skip that course, unless you are a math genius. OTOH, I don't think you need a precalc course, which is usually just more algebra anyway. You probably need only one of them. My son did only the algebra-II with trig and he was fine. I don't think colleges would be impressed that you skipped a class, especially if you don't get A's or if you don't take four years of math.</p>
<p>You should (1) discuss the alg-trig vs. precalc with your guidance counselor, current math teacher and maybe even the calc teacher, and (2) compare the chapter content of the two classes to see which would better prepare you for calculus.</p>
<p>I'm really sorry to sort of hijack this, but it is so relevant to something I'm debating, so I just coudln't resist! So, I need to decide whether to take precalc or statistics next year. Both are non-leveled, cause I'm totally not a math person. I think I'd rather do statistics just because it would be more fun, but does anyone think that colleges would prefer me to take precalc just because its sort of a core math class? I know neither corse is very impressive, but if one would be preferred, I'll take that</p>
<p>i dont suggest taking stat unless u do combo or have already taken pre-calc. even tho stat has nothing to do with pre-calc.. colleges see precalc as a part of the 4 year math(stat isnt really a core math class.. it more of a humanites class w/number crunching and analyzing data involved.).. so anyways colleges want to see at least pre-calc, if not Calc BC or above.</p>
<p>do you know this for sure or are you just assuming?</p>
<p>i would think that stat would only be more impressive if it were AP level..</p>
<p>May I ask why you're skipping?</p>
<p>david,
the full math sequence is considered more rigorous. How important it depends on the colleges you are looking at as well as your proposed majors.</p>
<p>I'm looking at top colleges. I have really good grades and test scores, I'm jstu not so great in math. Definitely won't major in anything having to do with math. Would it still make the most sense to take precalc?</p>
<p>Yes definitely.</p>
<p>would colleges mark you down for skipping math classes?</p>
<p>Why would they? I didn't take two math classes and went straight from Alg II to BC Cal and got a 99 in it. I don't feel I'll be marked down since I'll have Alg I, Geometry, Alg II, AB and BC Calc on my transcript (if you take BC you get course credit for AB, too).</p>
<p>If anyone could answer my question I would really appreciate it. The thing that I'm worried about is that even if I do take precalc, ill probably still be seen in a really bad light by colleges. I mean I'm just obviously not a math person, and I get all As, but I'm not in hard math courses.</p>
<p>david,
I suggest precalc, as statistics is seen a more of a math "elective" than part of the core math classes (at least at our public HS). I think my son took Algebra II in 9th grade, followed by a class in 10th grade called Functions, Statistics and Trig.. Statistics was a very minor portion of that class. Then he took two years of AP Calc. If you already took alg-II/trig, maybe you should just go on to calculus.</p>
<p>David, unless the statistics class is AP, and maybe even then (AP stats is kind of a joke class), you should take precalc. It's part of the normal sequence, and would be viewed as more rigorous by most colleges.</p>
<p>not_silly, unless you receive bad grades as a result, there's absolutely no way that colleges will penalize you for skipping. I skipped pretty much everything, and I got into RSI - in fact, I probably got in because of skipping math classes, since doing so enabled me to take calc in 7th grade. Taking advanced math classes earlier can only help your case, and continuing afterward with higher math is even more helpful.</p>
<p>thank you all so much for your help! I'll stick with precalc then. lkf725, while I wish I were able to do calc, it ju tisn't possible. In reality, I'm better at math than a lot of the kids in the harder classes, but I was sutpid freshman year and took a noinleveled math aclass, and ive been stuck in that track ever since. Since the math courses build on eachother so much, it just wouldn't be possible :(</p>
<p>david,
very few people have perfect records, so you just make the best of what you have. If your rest of your transcipt is strong, it will make up for it in the vast majority of colleges. The only college I know of that actually requires calculus is Harvey Mudd.</p>
<p>not_silly,
some kids that max out their hs math program take a course at a local college. Skipping per say is fine - as long as you do well in the next course. As long as there is no doubt in your mind about your ability to obtain A's in the next course, go for it.</p>
<p>thank you ohio_mom! You've put my mind at ease.</p>