Sooo, math isn’t exactly my strongest subject and I’m trying to plan out my courses for next year. I’m wondering if taking calculus is a must for college applications, or if it's possible to get away with just pre-calc? I’m aiming for a pretty good school, but not necessarily Ivy level, so I'm hoping I can avoid calculus without hurting my chances.
The requirement for taking calculus before college really depends on what kind of schools you're aiming for and your intended major. For example, if you're looking into a humanities or social sciences major at a liberal arts college or state university, you might not need calculus for admission.
However, for STEM fields, business, or economics, calculus can be crucial because it demonstrates your quantitative skills and preparedness for college-level math. It's also important to consider the most challenging curriculum available to you. If calculus is offered at your school and other students aiming for similar colleges are taking it, it could be beneficial for you to take the class to remain competitive.
However, doing well in pre-calc and showing strength in other areas of your application can also work in your favor. Aim to excel in the math courses you do take, and supplement your application with strong grades in other subjects and impactful extracurriculars to present a robust profile.
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