<p>Because of placement into the regular math track in 8th grade (as apposed the “accelerated” track) it impossible for me to take calculus in high school. Right now as a senior I am taking Pre-Calc. </p>
<p>I’ve gotten mostly A’s in pre-calc though. How much will not taking calculus hurt me, even if I couldn’t if I wanted to?</p>
<p>I’m applying ED to the College of William and Mary btw.</p>
<p>It won’t hurt you, or at least not very much.</p>
<p>All over this country there are high schools that don’t offer calculus, and students who graduate from those places do indeed go on to be successful in higher mathematics, and math-heavy majors such as physics and engineering.</p>
<p>If you are planning on a math-heavy major, make a concerted effort to really learn your pre-calc material thoroughly so that when you do get to calculus you are well prepared.</p>
<p>I’ve always felt that the system of “accelerated math” separate from the standard one during middle school was inherently unfair. Though I was in the accelerated, it’s frustrating to see bright, hard-working students during high school be left behind while their polar opposites sit in the advanced math. Alas, this is a topic for a different time.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t have any problem having not taken Calc. The Adcom won’t look down upon it as you’ve taken the most rigorous classes that your high school has allowed you to; at the very least, you have a significant advantage over a student who began in the accelerated math and decided to stop at Pre-Calc despite having the opportunity to take Calc.</p>
<p>“Though I was in the accelerated, it’s frustrating to see bright, hard-working students during high school be left behind while their polar opposites sit in the advanced math”</p>
<p>I second this. I am on the regular math track, and I like the subject. However, in middle school I didn’t even know there was a difference in math courses. I thought we were all in the same and there was regular and honors (I was clueless, haha). Now I am pretty mad about that due to me taking pre-algebra. Anyway, I doubt they will penalize you for it. I hope that anyway (or I would, too. Haha). =)</p>