Is pre-calc necessary for college admission, even if it's not my major? (2024)

I'm planning my junior year schedule and I'm a bit stressed about math. My major will likely be in the humanities, but I'm wondering if not taking pre-calc would hurt my chances at a good college. Is pre-calc generally a requirement for college, or can you get away with sticking to stats or another math class senior year?

6 months ago

It's great to see you taking such a thoughtful approach to your junior year schedule! Pre-calculus is not a universal requirement for college admission, especially if you're leaning towards a humanities major.

However, competitive colleges often look for students who take challenging courses in a variety of subjects, including math, as that speaks to your overall desire to push yourself and love of learning. If you're aiming for a selective school, having pre-calculus on your transcript can help demonstrate that you are well-prepared for college-level work, especially since your college academic experience could involve more interdisciplinary connections, even between subjects that don't seem related, than your high school one.

That said, if you have a strong interest in statistics and it aligns better with your future major and academic strengths, it's perfectly acceptable to opt for that instead, especially if you're applying to slightly less competitive schools. And if you think precalc could tank your GPA, it's most likely to stay away.

Always consult your high school counselor for personalized advice, as they can provide guidance based on your specific situation and college goals. Your math teachers may also be able to provide more details about the stats vs precalc curriculum, which could be helpful as you try to figure out whether you'll be better set up to succeed in one class vs the other.

Good luck with your course selection!

6 months ago