Pre-Calculus for College Application?

Feeling a bit stressed about course requirements for colleges. I am curious to know, do most colleges require Pre-Calculus or is it optional? I'm strategizing the most efficient (and less stress inducing) path to college.

The requirements for coursework in high school can vary greatly by college. However, assuming you're interested in selective colleges, most recommend (but do not necessarily require) that you complete through Precalculus in mathematics. The rationale is that completing through Precalculus provides a strong foundation in algebra and trigonometry, skills you'll need to succeed in college-level classes. Additionally, it shows admissions officers that you're capable of handling more challenging coursework, which might improve your chances of getting admitted.

However, wherever possible, many colleges like to see Calculus on your transcript as it indicates a high level of academic preparation. That's especially true if you're planning to major in a STEM discipline where higher levels of math are expected.

But ultimately, whether or not you need to take Precalculus (or any specific course) really depends on the specific colleges you're interested in. It would be best to look at the admissions requirements for each of the colleges you're interested in to see what they state about mathematics coursework.

Keep in mind too, that while colleges are interested in academic rigor, they're also interested in a student's wellbeing. So if loading up on high level math courses is going to cause an undue amount of stress, it might be better to find a balance that allows you to be suitably challenged academically but also allows you to enjoy your high school years and make the most of other opportunities for leadership and growth.