Hi, I have a question about the overall classes one has to take for colleges to be impressed. For example, I have taken AP Biology, and plan on taking AP Environmental Science, but have never taken even a regular physics class; and I know bio, chem, and physics are the “big three” colleges want to see. Another example, I plan on taking AP Stats next year, and have not taken a calc or pre-calc class. so how much would my chances be hurt if i don’t take certain classes? (especially concerning UC schools.) Thanks in advance!
<p>hello88-- I am no expert here, but have certainly read much on the subject. I do think you adcoms will want you to take the "core" sciences & math courses as you've alluded, especially if you want to be a math or sciences major. I do not know if or how much this could be detrimental. Furthermore, I do not know the policies of the UC's.......hopefully someone else will comment.</p>
<p>This blurb from Pomona sums up what I have read from most selective institutions.....note the fairly strong language about core sciences & math:</p>
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<p>The College expects that candidates normally will have completed four or five academic subjects each term during the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. The Admissions Committee considers the strength of the program and quality of the record as well as the pattern of subjects. Four years of English, three years of study each in mathematics and foreign languages, and two years of study each in laboratory sciences and social sciences are expected.</p>
<p>Students who are considering a major in mathematics or the natural sciences, which include psychology, should also take the following as part of their high school curriculum:</p>
<p>A four-year course of study in mathematics that includes one year of geometry, two years of algebra, and a year of trigonometry and analytical geometry. Courses in computer programming and statistics, while valuable, should not be substituted for these fundamental courses. </p>
<p>One year each of courses in physics, chemistry, and biology that emphasize laboratory work and problem solving. A second course in one science should not be substituted for one of these fundamental courses.
In evaluating a candidates high school program, extra weight is given to honors, international baccalaureate, and Advanced Placement courses. Although courses such as journalism, debate, leadership, and religious doctrine, as well as courses in music, art or theatre may be valuable to the student, they are not considered academic courses in assessing the strength of the candidates high school program.</p>
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<p>It appears to me that taking those core classes is most important if you were considering majoring in Math or one of the Sciences. So, perhaps the detriment, if any, would be lessened if you were not planning on majoring in Math or Sciences & communicated such in your application.</p>
<p>As with any prognosis, please make sure you get a second opinion from someone who knows more than me on this subject. Have you talked with your college advisor?</p>
<p>I think it really depends on what your interested in. If your planning on going into Engineering, not having Physics or a Calc. class will really hurt you. If your going into math/science, then it might hurt you as well... but if your planning to go into something like Political Science, I don't it matters much. As long as you get good grades in the the classes you are taking, you should be fine!</p>
<p>thanks for all the replies! :) yes, I plan on majoring in history or political science, so hopefully, as you said, not taking physics or calc will not hurt my chances so much! (i do not want to major in anything even close to engineering/science, etc. haha.)</p>
<p>Silver lining after thinking about it......taking stats or env science for a Poli Sci major is good...these courses can be directly applied to the major, probably more so than those pesky core sciences & math. After hearing about your major plans, I wouldn't worry.</p>
<p>My school doesn't offer much, and no AP classes. The only real "advanced" classes are in science/math, with just a couple history classes. I did take chemistry, physics, and calc, but I did not take biology or anatomy/physiology, partly because I didn't want to and didn't like the teacher, mostly because it dissection and bug collections are part of the classes at my school. I don't believe in killing animals needlessly, and couldn't work out an alternative with the teacher. I was accepted at most of the schools I applied to, and they didn't question it at all. I just kept my schedule full of challenging classes as much as i could and didn't worry about it. Also-it is good to think in terms of what will be most useful for you when you get to college. If you plan to major in history or poli sci, calc probably won't do you much good in college, and it would be more useful to take classes that are interesting and relevant to you.</p>
<p>the OP can go to the UC website and see what classes are required to even be considered for admission to a UC. It's pretty cut-and-dry, and if you have any questions your counselor should be well informed as to what classes at your HS you need to take.</p>
<p>Here's the link to the UC site: <a href="http://www.ucop.edu/pathways%5B/url%5D">www.ucop.edu/pathways</a>. Here's a tip though: the UC a-g classes that are required for admission should only be thought of as minimums for the most competitive UCs. You boost your chances if you take more than the minimums in any a-g subject area.</p>