Do you need calc BC to be competitive for non stem majors?

[Anonymous]

A lot of posters approach this issue in the abstract. OP needs to evaluate it in the context of the high school. Did T50 econ kids take BC at your school? If the majority of T50 econ kids take BS at your school, I don't see how you can get away with it if you want to pursue econ at T50. But if it's rare for T50 kids at your school to take BC, then the analysis comes out differently.

[Anonymous]

Have you applied to any colleges yet? If so you have to notify them of the change.

As others have mentioned it depends on the Econ program. My kid is freshman economics major. He isn’t sure about his path. BA which only requires Business Calc. The BS has more math. May switch to accounting which also only requires Business Calc. He is likely picking between the BS and accounting.

[Anonymous]

I worry about this for my DD. Very high GPA/WGPA, 5s on 7-8 APs so far, 1550 on SAT but no Calc. She just doesn’t want to take it. She likes AP Stats though.

Not much we can do about it now I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of posters approach this issue in the abstract. OP needs to evaluate it in the context of the high school. Did T50 econ kids take BC at your school? If the majority of T50 econ kids take BS at your school, I don't see how you can get away with it if you want to pursue econ at T50. But if it's rare for T50 kids at your school to take BC, then the analysis comes out differently.

+1. Check with the counselor to see what the situation is at your school.

[Anonymous]

Let's ground this in reality with some real T50 schools (why people are mentioning MIT escapes me): for a school like Tufts, BU, Lehigh, or Wake - you (generally) do not need Calc BC for non-STEM.

Remember, the majors in A&S are not binding - schools expect kids to change majors at least once, if not more than that. It may be in your kid's best interest not to list econ as the major, though. It's a very popular major for boys - and depending on the context of the school or other applicants from your high school, a different major might make sense from a positioning standpoint.

If you post their ECs and a bit more background, some of us may be able to advise you better. Also post potential schools.

I would switch to stats, so there is math in senior year, and focus on a compelling story for the application, which matches the (1) transcript, (2) ECs and (3) awards, if any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worry about this for my DD. Very high GPA/WGPA, 5s on 7-8 APs so far, 1550 on SAT but no Calc. She just doesn’t want to take it. She likes AP Stats though.

Not much we can do about it now I guess.

Not having ANY Calc is actually a red flag for many selective schools. I'd ask your school's counselor for their experience.
Assuming a humanities major?

[Anonymous]

I would tough it out. It's an interesting class. What about it is he finding difficult? Maybe the teacher he has just isn't great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? How far into the school year are you that he is "really struggling"? No one is more than 2-3 weeks into school. Relax.

Also, this is what you get for being in such a rush to take AP classes in the womb. People need to chill.

DP: my kid is in the first week with a notoriously bad teacher and is struggling. Friends teach at the school and told me last year this teacher was a problem.

Your fault for knowingly subjecting the kid to this. Bring in child protective services. Use your brain. Don't set your child up to fail.

Thank you so much for your insight. So valuable. Because...my kid elected to take BC & stats as a junior so the choice was no math senior year or math with a bad teacher senior year. Kid knew going in the teacher had a horrible reputation but knew that some professors will be like that so might as well dive in and be prepared to teach oneself. Next time, I'll be sure to seek out your input before my nearing adulthood kid makes a reasonable choice.

[Anonymous]

Do what's right for your child & let the chips fall where they may. With AP Calc AB, I'm certain your child will still get into a good school. Losing confidence in math or continuing to be defeated with a bad teacher isn't worth it. Frankly, if she doesn't understand the material, she's going to need to retake in college anyways

Yes, Econ is a math-heavy major at many schools. But, Econ degrees have *plenty* of time to take courses in school as many not in the Business College have a bucket of unspecified electives to fill so many kids can easily add a minor or double major. At my school, econ majors were required to have a minor in math, history, a social science, etc.

Signed,
PhD Economist (went to sub-Top 100 undergrad & top 10 grad school)