Before high school began, I signed up for one semester integrated math I during my freshman year. However, I was put into two-semester integrated math I because the other class was full. Will this drastically impact my chances in any way?
If the other class was full, I would say that it should not.
The VAST HUGE OVERWHELMING majority of kids who go to college take a full year of each of the standard courses.
Is this a block scheduling class and is “two-semester math” a watered-down course for kids who can’t do the math on a block schedule? Or is it, on the contrary, a more intensive math class for advanced kids?
@MYOS1634 It’s a watered down math course extended to two semesters. If I later go on to Calculus, will this math class impact me too much?
Try to get into the “regular” or “honors” math class. First, I doubt you’ll be able to “get to calculus” if you started with an “easy” base. You won’t have the prerequisites done on time. Second, the level of achievement won’t challenge you and the norm in the class may make it difficult for you to adapt and move to a regular class. Third, it means one of your semester classes was cut for this second semester block.
Are you taking English (regular or honors), Science (Biology recommended/Living organisms), Social Science (a history class or AP Human Geography), Foreign Language (Level 1 or 2 depending on what you’ve done in Middle School, in addition to math? What are your electives?
Have your parents go to GC’s office and ask you be placed in the math class that you qualify for.
@MYOS1634 I don’t get what you’re saying, why would it be so hard to catch up if I take more advanced courses next year? I can still go to Calculus if I finish integrated math 2, 3 and 4.
If you take Integrated math1 freshman year, it follows you’d be in Integrated math 4 senior year, not calculus - unless at your school they’re the same but in my experience they rarely are.
The comments are based on the fact the class is 1 semester covered in 2.
Colleges won’t care you took an “extended” version of Freshman math, because it won’t be labelled “extended/with special support”. But if you don’t need the support and are in a class with students who need it, you won’t go deep enough into the subject matter and won’t be challenged at an appropriate level. The content will not be covered in the same way as in the other class. Your classmates may not be motivated and few will aim for precalculus-calculus, instead trying to complete their units through Algebra2/Integrated Math3 by graduation. It’ll also affect you because if you have 4 periods a day and 1 is used for Math both semesters, it’s one less period to dedicate to a core subject or a subject you choose personally, both of which are important to colleges. Keep in mind that out of 7 periods, 5 must be used for Math, History, Foreign Language, English, and Science. The last 2 are supposed to represent your personal choices or school requirements. If one of those 2 is taken up by Math and you have a school requirement like health or gym, you don’t have any “personal choice” class. if your two class periods are taken by health AND gym or another requirement, then the only way you can have 2 math periods is by cutting into the core subjects.
Ask: what percentage students from this class typically take AP Calculus?
My bet is “not many” or perhaps even “not any”.
Not because it “looks bad”, but because the extended class is for students who need extra support in the basic math classes. If that’s you, get the support you need, stay in the class, and don’t worry about calculus.
However, it will NOT drastically impact college admissions. In fact, you don’t need calculus in HS unless you’re planning to be premed or go into engineering - generally, STEM. You only need to be ready to take it, so with good grades (B+/A) in precalculus, preferably Precalc Honors if you’re going to take calculus your first semester. You’ll often have a math placement test anyway (as well as an English and Foreign Language test, typically.)
No
@MYOS1634 I still don’t get what you’re saying, it’s possible to get into Calculus from here. For example, I can take Integrated Math II and III in 10th grade. In 11th, I can take Integrated Math IV and then in 12th grade, I can take Calculus. How is it impossible to do this, i’m confused on what you’re implying?
But CAN YOU do this? Check with your guidance counselor:
Is it logistically doable at your school?
Has it ever been done? If it has, how successful was it?
Then, what about you and the content you know, the pace you’re used to, etc:
Think that you’ll double your math load, pace, and likely depth, compared to this year.
Is this year’s class seemingly slow as a snail, kind of boring? Or does it seem “just right”?
Ask your math teacher whether s/he can give you supplemental material to compensate the (likely) lower rigor.
Let’s say that you work independently and with your teacher to make up for the slower pace and lower rigor, AND that administratively your plan is doable AND it’s been done successfully before: you still lose one class this year. What class is it?
@MYOS1634 I can do this, my guidance counselor said it’s possible. I don’t know anybody else who did this though.
It’s still possible, I don’t see how it isn’t.
The math lessons currently are way too slow paced, it’s just really boring.
The class I lost is Computer Science I, but I’ve planned a schedule and I can eventually take AP Computer Science in my Senior year. I can still take all the classes I wanted to take despite loosing possible class in 9th grade.
Look at your flow chart and make sure you have 4 units of English, Science, and History/Social Science, plus Foreign Language up to Level 4. Then add any HS/state requirements and the CS classes you’re interested in.
Does it still all fit?
Talk with your math teacher. Explain you were supposed to be in the non extended class and it’s going, very, very slowly so would she mind she giving you extra exercises so that you can keep up since your goal is to get to Calculus and major in CS? And if she agrees be very thankful because she doesn’t have to and it’s extra work for her, with no pay.
It is apparent that OP is on block scheduling. With that said, you could reach calculus in 11th grade…if you wanted to.
Your chances will not be affected as long as you fulfill a rigorous course of study.