What is the best science field to go into in a college?

What level math should I take next year if I want to go into a science related field?

• At my school we do course recommendations,which is where your teacher recommends you for a certain level of a course for next year. You can choose to override into a higher level or underride into a lower level if you want. This year I am in Accelerated Enriched(AE) Algebra 2. The course levels go like this(from highest to lowest) AP-Advanced Placement Honors-Honors.. AE-Accelerated Enriched CP-College Preparatory SP-Standard Preparatory So because I didn't do very well first term ( I got a 75 then an 83 for the second term),I got recommended for CP Calculus. My question is,should I override into AE Precalc next year?I want to do something in the science field in the future and I know science and math are very closely linked,so I feel that colleges will be looking closely at what level math and science I take. Next year I'm taking AP Bio and AE Physics. The thing is...math is not my strong point. My school is very academiclly rigorous, so apparently our CP level would be like any other schools AE level(I'm not just saying this to brag....this is a true fact. Our school is rated 4th in the state for best education/test grades/ect....and I live in MA which is overall a well educated state). I feel that next year,because the material is much more difficult,I would find AE to be too much of a struggle.However,I also feel that CP may be too easy. I've never been in CP but I have seen the work they do and it doesn't seem challenging enough for me,but sometimes AE is too challenging. I still feel like I should override because I want to go into something science related. So what would be better?Should I just drop down to CP or should I try to override? If I take CP will this lower my chances of being accepted to a college for a science degree?? Thanks

• Answer:

  You need to understand what are your weak spots in math and what you need to work on. Are you equally average in all areas of algebra or are there some areas that you understand better? How do those strengths and weaknesses compare to what will be covered in Pre Calc or Calc next year? I would recommend that you talk to a math teacher (not necessarily the counselors as they may not really comprehend what you need to work on in math). If your school, school district or state does pre-test and post-testing at the beginning and/or end of the year, that may tell you what areas you need to work on. Does your school offer AP statistics or another kind of statistics course? That might be something more useful & relevant to you than calculus (especially if you pursue biology, psychology or other soft sciences that rely greatly on statistical analyses)? If you want to study population biology or engineering or physics, then calculus is something you need to tackle either in high school or at college.