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Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Do I have to take all four years of math in high school?

Hello all, just wondering if it's absolutely necessary to take math every year of high school? I've met the minimum requirements already, but I've heard mixed things about college admissions looking for four years of math. Any advice?

a year ago

While it's true that meeting the minimum requirements for graduation might not align with what competitive colleges are looking for, the answer to your question can vary depending on the institutions you're considering. Generally, more selective colleges prefer to see students challenge themselves throughout their high school careers, which often includes taking four years of math. This demonstrates a consistent level of academic rigor and preparedness for college-level coursework, especially in STEM fields. However, if math is not your strong suit or if you want to focus on other academic areas aligned with your future major or interests, it's essential to balance your course load while ensuring you're still meeting the expectations of your prospective colleges. For example, if you're planning to apply to liberal arts colleges and wish to focus on the humanities, they may be more flexible about the strict four-year math requirement. Always check the admissions requirements of the colleges you're interested in, and don't hesitate to reach out to their admissions offices for guidance.

a year ago

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.