I’m seriously stressed out right now. I’m only in geometry when I should be in Algebra 2 but my class is small and I was the only one in my class ready for the advanced track but the teachers or whoever decided not to make a separate class for 1 person (and why should they?), so I’m a year behind where I should be, rightfully, and unless a miracle happens, I won’t have taken calculus in HS. My GC won’t let me take Algebra II and geometry together (like I asked her and she straight up said NO.), and the only way I can fathom getting to take calculus would be to take precalc the summer before 12th grade at the local CC. Since I’m planning to go into medicine, I obviously need to have strong math and science courses and grades, but as things stand I’ll graduate without calculus and physics.
Am I done for?
Also, I started out the school year with a 0 in the grade book for health class because I forgot a permission slip at home.
Yes it is possible. My nephew who is now a senior at Brown University as a computer science major said he thought he would be behind with just AP Calc AB but found that there were kids starting who just had precalculus. For his major he didn’t feel it made a difference. Ivy league college’s don’t have merit scholarships but Brown has done a fantastic job meeting his need.
Short answer: You can get math textbooks for free at ck12.org, or video lessons at Khan Academy.
Long answer: As people have told you over and over again on your other threads, you are overthinking and stressing about elite colleges way too much and way too early.
If you keep searching for reasons you are “done for,” you will surely find them. Do you want someone to tell you that a forgotten permission slip will keep you from graduating high school, let alone making it to any college? Stop asking already!
@bopper because the issue is the same for the science classes(9th grade=earth science, 10th=bio, 11th=chem, 12th=AP bio). My guidance counselor literally WILL NOT let me take both. We’ve discussed it at length and the answer is no.
@Gumbymom Ivy league/peer elite. Biomedical science or similar major
@AroundHere huh? I need the credits for graduation so I can’t just pick up a textbook and have at it. I don’t think I would get the credit.
Colleges love it when you extend your learning beyond what is offered in the classroom. You can put it on your application even if it’s not on your transcript. Students self-study for APs fairly often, if you want to use testing to demonstrate what you have learned. Your high school is what it is. Think outside the box.
OP, my daughter needed to advance a math course to be able to apply to top schools. She did an online course during the summer that allowed her to progress to AP calculus.
Should I take Algebra II over this coming summer? Or pre-calculus the summer before 12th grade? or do Alg II and pre-calc at the same time?
@AroundHere 1st of all, a lot of other people say self-studying isn’t that big of a deal on applications because colleges want you to be interacting in the classroom or whatever. 2nd, self-studying a math course is literally no joke. I’m pretty strong in math, but not THAT strong. My high school course plan includes some college dual enrollment classes that aren’t already offered by the school.
I feel so stupid. I just read this post about this one person who self-studied AP calc AB her Freshman year, got a 5, and took MV calculus as a sophomore. I thought I might actually be smart but apparently not. Wow, I’m such a special freakin’ snowflake. Not.
I’ve actually given this advice to you in the past when you asked on my thread if you should take math over the summer (as I had). My stance is that you should find other ways to stand out, since your situation will more or less be understood, if you take the time to explain it.
Just find some sort of intriguing hook that can be used to stand out in the admissions process, rather than worrying about piling on extra classes.
Please, @futurecollege00, don’t fret about what other people on this site are doing. First of all, there is always going to be some Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius somewhere, second of all, there are puh-lenty of people who come to this site and strrrretch the truth. For all you know, that girl you read about is a complete fabrication. For your own emotional health, try not to worry about what other people are doing and just work on what you, yourself are doing.
Like what? I’m stupid and not creative and not interesting and I’m socially awkward so doing stuff makes me nervous. Plus the whole classes issue makes me feel inadequate. And this isn’t really “extra” classes. My “extra” is the bare minimum of what most elite college-bound students take.
I’m sure you are not stupid or uninteresting. You are young. You are anxious. If you have these negative, intrusive thoughts often, I’d gently suggest that you find a professional to speak with. The best thing you can do for your future self (the one in college) is to take care of your current self. You are worth a lot to the people close to you; you should be worth at least as much to yourself.
The Ivies and their ilk are a long shot for pretty much everyone. Instead of obsessing over them, develop an interest in creating a broad based and balanced list of colleges with a range of selectivity. There are plenty of colleges where you’ll get a fantastic education. Don’t put all your dreams into a dozen or two schools.
I have a broad, balanced list, but I also set myself high standards. I’m just super anxious because yes, there are a lot of great things I could do, but I can never get up the nerve to actually do them.
My D20 is in the same situation. Last year we had a meeting with her school’s math department heads because she was thinking of doubling up on geometry and algebra II in her sophomore year. They said the best way for her to get to calculus in her senior year is to take a precalculus course that the school offers over the summer, or an online option, the summer between her junior and senior years, because the curriculum for precalculus is much lighter than geometry or algebra II here in New York state and would be more amenable to taking an abbreviated course.
When you are anxious about something, do something about it.
You’re anxious about math. See if your school offers a summer algebra2 class, online or in person. Then, inquire about its cost, if any. Then, make a plan to save. Finally, write it in your calendar aontou don’t forget to register!
Please don’t say “I’m uninteresting and uncreative” and other negative things you’ve similarly said about yourself in your other threads. You may well feel it’s true, but saying it makes it worse. Instead, ask what you can do to improve on a specific problem you see. Second, don’t compare yourself to random kids on this website. Third, starting on an “I’m so uninteresting/stupid/whatever” rant in the middle of (nearly) every thread you’ve started doesn’t do you any favor.