I’m a junior in high school who recently found out not taking four years of math in school is a negative sign to college admissions people (especially STEM programs/majors which is what I want to do).
I finished AP calc BC in 9th grade and AP stats in 10th grade. I then took Multivariate Calculus 3 at a local community college completely off my high school transcript. I didn’t do so hot and ended with a B-. My original plan was to not request my cc transcript and retake the class in college. Now, seeing that colleges want to see students who actively search for higher mathematics education, I’m considering sending my cc transcript too (also recommended by my high school counselor).
It’s worth nothing that the B- is NOT affecting my high school GPA due to it not being on the high school transcript.
What I’m trying to ask is this. How is getting a B- in a Calculus 3 class at a community college going to impact admissions decisions into Ivy league and similar level universities? Will I be severely impacted? Is it more worth it to not send that score in and try my luck with only showing two years of math classes? Is it worth it to send it in even if it may negatively impact me?
Thanks everyone!
I think showing that you continued to pursue rigorous coursework that challenged you would be better than an appearance of no math at all. A higher grade would be better, of course, but I think showing the work would be better than a blank.
This won’t significantly negate my chances of getting into an ivy league school though, right? I still have a shot? (Of course the other parts of my application need to be up to standards 
)
Doesn’t matter. You have to send it and it is done.
@VickiSoCal no… I don’t have to send it. That’s my problem… I don’t know if I should or not. Thanks @RichinPitt for your input!
Who is saying you do not have to send it?
The colleges ask you to note all schools attended, send every academic transcript. The Common App asks what other schools.
If you want a stem major, yes, it can affect you. Depends. Think of the competition for an Ivy slot.
What math are you taking next year?
Agree that you must send the grade. You are required to send a transcript from every HS and college you have attended.
Much as having perfect grades for all four years is not enough to get you into an Ivy, one B- in any subject will not be enough to keep you out. So stop fretting over this grade. Focus on your overall application.
And yes, you do indeed have to send the transcript if you earned college credits. For the rest of your life whenever you apply for admission to a degree program at an accredited college or university in the US (or for a job that requires all of your transcripts), you will need to send that CC transcript and all of your other college and university transcripts. So don’t lose the address of that CC. You will need it.
Most college applications ask for ALL of your grades at courses taken in highschool. This practice will follow you through med school, grad school, law school and all future school applications that want your college grades. That’s why I am not a fan of kids taking college courses in highschool.
Yes, you may a bump up for taking that very difficult course as an early high schooler if the AO looks at your grades carefully. I certainly would. AOs at highly selective schools have out and out said that a low grade in the advanced maths in highschool are given a bit of a pass. It’s to your credit that you did this, and do make sure in your notes to your GC and maybe the teachers who are writing your LORs to comment on your taking the initiative and risk to do as you did and how you are willing to go beyond your immediate environment to get academic challenges. That the rigor of your high school curriculum is not only, the highest it can be at your school but off the charts. Write this all down because when these people write their letters, they are not likely to remember all of this. They have a lot of letters to write and forms to fill.
But no one can guarantee you that this is not going to hurt your chances st some schools. It can. It’s a B- and it could be a reason an AO uses to get the admissions numbers down. So many highly qualified kids apply to these selective schools that they need to look for reason to deny rather than to accept.
At this point, it’s a done deal. You took the course. You took a chance. You got the grade. You have to report it if asked to do so in applications because if you do not, you can get disqualified for things in the future that are highly important as a liar and fraudulently filling out applications. You don’t know what you will be in the future and this is too trivial to be an issue
You are obligated to send all high school and college transcripts. Your guidance counselor who says otherwise is misinformed. There is a National Student Clearinghouse that the college may have used to check up on these things, and they could withdraw your admission if they find out.
Having said all that, a B isn’t going to hurt your chances, especially when you are taking a very accelerated level of math in high school. In fact, not showing four years of math as a STEM hopeful (if that was even an option now) would hurt you a whole lot more.