Is It Important to Take Calculus in High School?

High school students face numerous choices when it comes to building their academic schedules. Among the most debated decisions is whether to take calculus before graduation. For some, calculus feels like a natural next step in a sequence of advanced math courses. For others, it can feel intimidating, unnecessary, or even irrelevant to their career goals. So, is it truly important to take calculus in high school? The answer depends on several factors—including college goals, academic strengths, and long-term interests.

What Is Calculus, and Why Is It Offered in High School?

Calculus is the branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change (differential calculus) and accumulation (integral calculus). It plays a foundational role in fields such as physics, engineering, economics, and computer science. Traditionally, calculus was a college-level course. However, over the past few decades, it has become increasingly common in high schools, especially with the rise of Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB and BC.

The presence of calculus in a high school curriculum often signals academic rigor. Some competitive colleges even view it as a marker of strong preparation for STEM majors. But that doesn’t mean it’s universally necessary.

Do Colleges Expect Calculus?

The answer varies by institution and intended major.

• STEM Majors: If a student plans to pursue a degree in engineering, physics, computer science, data science, or math, most selective colleges expect to see calculus on the transcript. For these students, calculus demonstrates readiness and interest.
  

• Non-STEM Majors: For students interested in humanities, social sciences, or arts-related fields, calculus is often not expected. Instead, colleges might prefer to see a strong performance in statistics, precalculus, or quantitative reasoning courses.
  

• Highly Selective Schools: Top-tier institutions (e.g., Ivy League, MIT, Stanford) often expect calculus from applicants pursuing STEM fields. At some of these schools, even economics or business programs may prefer students with a calculus background.

That said, colleges look at the context of a student’s high school. If a school does not offer calculus, admissions officers won’t penalize a student for not taking it.

Is Precalculus Enough?

For many students, precalculus is the final required math course in high school. It covers essential functions, trigonometry, and algebraic reasoning—skills needed for both college math placement and many real-world applications.

If a student is not planning to pursue a quantitative field in college, stopping at precalculus can be entirely appropriate. Moreover, many students who don’t take calculus in high school successfully complete it in college as part of their undergraduate coursework.

Should You Take AP Calculus or Statistics?

This is a common crossroads for high-achieving students.

• AP Calculus AB/BC is best suited for students headed into math-intensive majors.
  

• AP Statistics is often more directly applicable to fields like psychology, biology, political science, economics, and business.

In many cases, taking either one demonstrates college-level math readiness. Some schools even encourage students to take both over the course of their junior and senior years.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Taking Calculus in High School?

Pros:

• Can strengthen college applications for competitive programs
  

• Provides a strong foundation for college STEM coursework
  

• May earn college credit (via AP or dual enrollment)
  

• Demonstrates academic rigor and a willingness to challenge oneself

Cons:

• May crowd out other valuable electives or enrichment courses
  

• Can cause stress or lower GPA if a student is unprepared
  

• Often repeated in college anyway, particularly for STEM majors
  

• Not always necessary for intended college major or career

What If My School Doesn’t Offer Calculus?

Many students worry that a lack of calculus on their transcript will hurt their chances in college admissions. However, admissions officers evaluate students in the context of their school’s offerings. If a student has taken the most advanced math courses available at their high school, that will be viewed favorably—whether or not calculus was one of them.

Some students supplement with online courses, community college classes, or dual-enrollment options if they’re eager to get ahead or if their school doesn’t offer calculus.

Final Thoughts: Should You Take Calculus?

It comes down to three guiding questions:

1. What are your college and career goals?
   

2. What are your academic strengths and interests?
   

3. What options does your high school provide?

For aspiring engineers or computer scientists, calculus in high school is a smart move. For a future English major, it might not be necessary. Ultimately, students should pursue the most rigorous curriculum that aligns with their goals and allows them to thrive.

Calculus is a valuable course, but it’s not a universal requirement. What’s more important is building a strong, balanced academic profile—and making choices that support both immediate success and long-term ambitions.