Advanced Computer Science vs AP Calculus BC?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

Howdy! I apolgize if I may have posted in the wrong forum, as I am new to this website! I would really appreciate if I could get some insight in to some things!

My senior year has arrived, and my counselor has told me that I have to choose between AP Calculus BC or Advanced Computer Science. I plan to pursue a degree in Computer Science, so ideally I want to take Advanced Computer Science.

However, I also want to maintain my GPA, and taking Calculus BC would be a much better option to keep my GPA up. At the same time, I do want to show the colleges i’m applying to that I have a focus on Computer Science as a field.

If anyone has some insight in this matter, I would really appreciate it. I’m at a crossroads and crunch for time, so I am not sure what to do.

2

Most schools want to see 4 years of math. I would take Calc and make sure that you highlight your CS extra curricular activities.

3

If CS would be instead of any Math, you should take Calc. Lacking 4 years of Math would be a big red flag.

4

I agree with above… take the Calc. Save your intense CS classes for college.

5

One more vote for math. It will allow you to skip some of your math sequence if you score well on the AP and the college you choose accepts AP credits. CS won’t likely count towards anything in your college curriculum.

6

Me, too. Even the AP version of CS isn’t some admit tip. It’s still taught too inconistently.

7

What math and CS have you previously taken? And what does “advanced computer science” cover?

In most cases, AP calculus BC will be better known by college admissions readers than a high school “advanced computer science” course, and it will also be much more likely to give you advanced placement in college when you get to college. CS majors in college commonly have to take calculus 1 and 2, and AP credit for calculus BC is often allowed to fulfill those requirements.

8

Take Calc BC. There are plenty of ways to demonstrate interest and competency in CS outside of school, but to an AO, nothing replaces rigorous core classes.

What math class were you planning to take before you found out you couldn’t take both? Some schools count CS as a math class (ours does), but AOs would consider CS classes math electives rather than a math core.

9

Probably a misnomer, so named to distinguish it from a more basic intro class. There’s really nothing “advanced” in HS CS courses. Another vote for taking the Calc BC instead.

10

to the OP, for frame of reference - cs61a.org is the flagship first required Computer Science course for CS majors at UC-Berkeley. If your class doesn’t approach what is taught in this class, it’s best if you saved the computer science class for college.

11

Even if it does approach that, they won’t likely let you skip it. You will however be able to skip into Calc III at most schools if you take BC and perform well on the test.