Would multivariable make a difference?

<p>I'm kind of thinking about my schedule for senior year right now. Next year my schedule will be:</p>

<p>AP Lit
AP Econ
AP Gov
AP Chem
AP Environmental
AP Psych
AP Studio Art</p>

<p>I'm trying to decide if I should take multivariable at a local community college or not. Basically, I've been two courses ahead in math since I was in sixth grade, so I took Algebra 1 in 6th grade, Geo in 7th, Alg 2 in 8th, Precal in 9th, Calc BC in 10th, and Stats in 11th. (That makes me sound really mathy, but I don't think I am - barely qualified for the AIME, and I'm pretty sure I got a 1 on that. Lol.)</p>

<p>As far as I know, most colleges don't require four years of math, but would I seem like a total slacker if I don't take a math senior year? Originally I was set on doing mvc senior year, but I'm reconsidering it more and more because of my heavy sr. year courseload combined with college apps and scholarship apps and other time-intensive extracurriculars. Would it affect my chances at top schools (think HYPS, maybe M) and state schools (UCB, UCLA, UCI) if I neglect this class?</p>

<p>Edit: My declared major will most likely be business or economics.</p>

<p>I think it would be much better if you didn’t take multivariable because of your heavy courseload. If you did take multivariable, I feel like it’s going to take up time you don’t have and drag down your gpa. I also took a heavy courseload senior year and trust me, you’re going to need all the time you can get for college apps. And at least for me, AP Art was the class that took up most of my time (calc, chem pshhh). You took all the math courses offered at your school. In fact, a lot of people going to the UCs/HYPS haven’t taken multivariable. You’ll be fine.</p>

<p>If you’re going into business/econ, do you need AP Studio Art? What’s the point? Do you just like art?</p>

<p>I really think these questions should be answered by yourself. Because you and ONLY you know how much you can take. And personally I think you should take as much as you can handle. I took multivariable AND differential equations in my last semester along with 9 other classes on top of everything else that seniors have to do, I had to actually go to the provost to have it approved. But it was only because I knew I could handle it and my counselor had faith in me. </p>

<p>However if you decide against it, I’d say it would not hurt.</p>

<p>I would take multivariable but drop two of the AP classes, like AP Environmental Sci and AP Psych. The math class would help you later, but some of the elective AP probably won’t matter much if you want to major in business. They’ll also take up tons of time.</p>

<p>Also, by this time next year you’ll be battling the emerging symptoms of senioritis. Trust me, the last thing you want is a thousand AP classes to study for at the end of your senior year.</p>

<p>I’m taking AP Studio Art because I need to fulfill my VPA credits for the UCs, and I have a serious passion for art (national and international recognition for my photography), but I’ve never taken a formal art class, and I’m hoping I could improve my technique.</p>

<p>I think that multivariate or linear would definitely make you stand out. You might consider dropping Environmental, Psych, or Gov (or two of them) in order to take math. OTOH, if you do not take math, it will not hurt you, as long as your application indicates that you went as high as you could go in math at your school.</p>

<p>Are you a CA resident?</p>

<p>My S is a senior and so far has been accepted to USC, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara (ELC status) and is waiting on five OOS private school decisions.</p>

<p>He took AP Calc BC sophomore year, linear algebra junior year (which helped him secure a summer internship in paleoclimatology) and multivariable calculus this, his senior year. For him, I believe the rigor shown with this (plus his other AP classes) helped him. However, he’s planning of majoring in physics or some interdisciplinary science area, which is different from your plan.</p>

<p>I thought most schools did require four years of math? Four years of math and of english is the norm.</p>

<p>I recommend you continue with your math sequence. Like others have said, you can drop the “lite” APs to keep your courseload managable. You’re taking Chem, so there’s no need for Environmental, and Psych could go too (though it’s an interesting course).</p>

<p>If your school offers the course, then I would drop psych for it. But they probably don’t since you would have taken it junior year if they did. Lit, chem, econ, and gov will be a lot of work…it won’t help that much so I wouldn’t if you don’t have a passion/interest in math.</p>

<p>Do they really require four years of math? To be honest, I’m not positive on my assumption - I just remember dimly talking to the counselor or looking at the schools’ websites and seeing that they recommend four years of math, but it’s not required.</p>