Importance of Pre-Calc in High School

I'm kinda stressing about my high school course load right now. Is it necessary to take pre-calc in high school for college admissions, or can it be skipped? Any advice would be great!

In general, it's important to have a strong foundation in math for college admissions, as it demonstrates your ability to handle academic rigor. While it's not absolutely necessary to take pre-calculus, some colleges do expect students to have taken math courses up to a certain level, and pre-calculus is considered a valuable course in preparing you for more advanced subjects like calculus. The necessity of pre-calculus depends on the colleges you're targeting and your intended major.

If you plan on applying to highly selective colleges or pursuing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) related major, taking pre-calculus would be highly recommended. Competitive colleges may want to see a strong math background, which includes pre-calculus or even higher-level math courses, like calculus. For non-STEM majors applying to moderately selective colleges, it might not be as crucial, but it would still be beneficial to show that you've challenged yourself academically.

Lastly, consider your current math trajectory and what your school's graduation requirements are. If taking pre-calculus aligns with your progression in math and doesn't pose an unreasonable burden, it could be a wise decision to enroll in the course. This way, you demonstrate to colleges that you're consistently challenging yourself with higher-level courses.