So, currently, I am a freshman who is in Algebra 1, however, I’m moving up to the Honors Math Track next year since Algebra 1 is ridiculously easy, and I will be taking Accerlerated Math 2/3A (Practically Geometry and Half of Algebra II - my school’s curriculum for math is odd) and following this course layout thoroughly, I’m expected to reach AP Calculus AB by senior year.
However, a problem arises. While I am not the best at math, I do passionately enjoy it as one of my favorite subjects (First bring science). I’m looking to be enrolled in UCLA or UCB, so will I get ignored if I only take AB? I know quite a few people that will be taking BC as a senior so this really discourages me. More importantly, if I apply to my major which will be biochemistry or chemistry, will I also be ignored for not taking BC Calculus? If so, I will self-study Geometry and all of Algebra II during the summer to take Accelerated Math 3B/Pre-Calculus next year so I can advance into BC Calculus senior year. I’m relatively confident that Algebra II wouldn’t be really difficult since I’m pretty decent at Algebra I and the problems my friend showed me (quadratic equations and logarithms) were surprisingly pretty easy, even though these two may be the simplest subjects in Algebra II. Geometry sounds like this would take a bit more time as I’ve heard Geometry requires more analytical thinking, rather than the usual methods of solving math problems.
Also, can anyone give me some suggestions for my predicted schedule throughout my high school career? Most of my friends told me that I’m crazy due to this.
My predicted schedule starting from next year as a 10th grader:
Sophomore Year Schedule:
Accelerated Math 2/3A
P. E. (Required)
Spanish II
Pre-AP Language Arts
AP Chemistry (Self-studying basic chemistry to master the topics over the summer)
AP European History
Junior Year Schedule:
Accelerated Math 3B/Pre-Calculus
AP English Language and Composition
AP Psychology
AP US History
AP Biology or AP Physics 1 (Currently taking Honors Biology and I want to major in biochemistry or chemistry, so most likely biology)
Spanish III Honors (Español Tres Honores)
Senior Year Schedule:
AP Calculus AB
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Physics 1 or AP Biology
AP US Government
AP ?
AP ?
(Haven’t decided last two ATM)
My apologies for the very long post, but I’m looking for detailed insight into my schedule and the original question of my thread. Thank you to anyone who answers!
Thank you for the response! Also, do you happen to know whether or not colleges would ignore you if you haven’t taken thr highest level of math at your high school but applying for a science major?
Colleges will consider you in the context of your HS and fellow classmates. As long as you meet the minimum UC requirements, your application will be reviewed. Now if you are competitive to get an acceptance, that is a completely different matter and as a Freshman, no way to predict.
Fair and realistic. Thank you for taking your time to respond. However, the question was would colleges see me as less competitive if I only taking Calculus AB, whereas, many people (presumably) would be taking BC Calculus? And if this is the case, will the extreme amounts of AP classes make up for this math difference, especially since I’ll be taking all AP sciences (except AP Physics C), and planning on majoring in the scientific field? Basically, do colleges expect you to do every AP class you can legitimately take or take AP classes and other courses that you are more passionate and interested in?
Our S took many AP courses but “only” AP calculus AB. He got into most of the schools he applied to in engineering, including significant merit scholarships, including USoCal, Santa Clara U, and others. Since he was OOS for CA, he did not apply to UC schools.
I’d speak with your math teacher and your counselor about your concerns and questions. They’d be happy to guide you and pleased at your interest.
You can keep spinning the question a million ways until Sunday, but the answer remains the same - no.
As mentioned above, colleges will view your course selection within the parameters of what your school offers. Even if your school offers 25 AP’S and even if you are planning on concentrating on quantum physics, no school will ding you fir taking AB if, and this is a big if, the rest of your schedule is rigorous. If your GC checks off the most rigorous schedule box on his rec, AO’s will likely not delve too deeply into the individual classes. The reality is that while you will spend countless hours on your application, the AO will spend 10-15 minutes at most reading it. There is no time to parse your schedule that closely.
Since no exact amount of AP classes are really required, will taking rigorous science and other AP courses make up for the math difference, and convince my GC to check off the “most rigorous”? My school offers 24 AP classes, give or take, and it is practically impossible to take all of them, so 12-13 would be the highest anyone can possibly go, assuming that my school does not let freshmans take AP classes.
Well then, thank you to everyone for taking your time to assist me, I appreciate it very much.
There’s no “convincing” to be done; it’s pretty formulaic. X number of AP, post-AP, IB courses gets the “most rigorous” designation. There is not standard rubric as to how many X is - it’s up to the school. So ask your GC, but not yet as a freshman.
There is no math difference, so please stop thinking that. Most students, even on the accelerated track, do not get to BC in HS. If you are really concerned, talk to a math teacher on ways to accelerate your schedule so that you can take BC as a senior. But really now, as a freshman, you just cannot say that you are not cut out to take BC because you are not the “best at math.”
