You've Met the ELM Requirement. What’s next?
Congratulations on meeting the ELM Requirement! You have completed the first step towards CSU math success. You are in an enviable position because you can focus on the next steps for CSU math success, which are earning acceptance to a CSU campus and, after admission, meeting the CSU general education quantitative reasoning requirement. To maximize your probability of success, we highly recommend taking mathematics during your senior year of high school.
Four years of high school mathematics is the preparation for college recommended by CSU and most universities. Taking a fourth year of high school mathematics will strengthen your college applications and improve your opportunities!
In addition, as a CSU student you will need to meet the General Education quantitative reasoning requirement (the area B4 requirement), which entails taking an approved 3-unit college mathematics course. Some majors also require specific mathematics courses such as business math, statistics, and calculus. Therefore, even though you have met the ELM Requirement, it is important to keep your mathematics skills sharp so that you are ready for your college math courses.
Also, if you qualify to take an Advanced Placement (AP) math course, you may be able to earn college credit. Your high school counselor or math teacher should be well-acquainted with this type of opportunity and can provide you with information and advice.
A common and costly mistake for high school seniors is choosing not to take a math class. Listen to these video clips of CSU freshman talking about why they regret avoiding math their senior year. Even if you have met the CSU ELM Requirement, their advice applies because you may choose to attend a college other than the CSU. In that case, you may need to take a math placement test for that college.
In short, you have everything to gain by taking mathematics during your high school senior year, and you may have a lot to lose if you don't.
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