i emailed Brown a while ago on this subject, and they replied that applicants should take calculus, with a tutor’s help if necessary.
My situation is this: i’m going to be an ivy applicant, but have a serious weakness in math (i’m one of these super lopsided people). As an IB student, i took math studies for two years, which i guess follows Alg 2 and is slightly easier than precal. Got a C in Alg 2 in 9th grade, B’s in IB math studies1 and Honors Chemistry in 10th, and a B in IB math studies 2 junior year. Because my school didn’t have an Honors Calculus course, i ended up enrolling in AP Calculus AB. I think it’s going to be very difficult for me, if not impossible, to get an A in this class. Should i brave it through, at the cost of a lower GPA, or should I switch into AP Statistics, which is easier…
so i guess it boils down to either taking a hard, but recommended class that might cost me a good grade, or taking the easier route…which to choose?
<p>I think the Brown response was clear. </p>
<p>If you feel you can earn a B in ap Calc, then that is the way to go. AP Stats is one of the so-called AP Lites, and not perceived well in lieu of Calc. </p>
<p>btw, IMO, Stats is not so easy for a person who is not strong in math (unless the teacher makes it an easy senior course). Yes, the math manipulations are all basic algebra, but the application requires higher level, left-brain analysis.</p>
<p>If you can't even get an A in AP Calculus, maybe you should reconsider if you're deserving of an Ivy admission. I know this sounds harsh, but Ivy applicants are usually strong in every subject, especially the core ones.</p>
<p>I've talked to less competitive schools about the same topic. I've called UCSD, UCLA and e-mailed University of Washington (seattle). The admission officers there have told me that both classes are impressive, simply because they are AP's, and that neither one is "better" than the other. But then again, these schools weren't Ivies.</p>
<p>S is taking regular Calc and AP Stat. Would that be an option for you? Kids at his school (private) generally do not take all AP classes across the board, but focus on their strengths.</p>
<p>unfortunately my school doesn't offer regular or honors calc this year :/ only AP, which i find to be ridiculous....but anyhow. Yea, i think i'll stick with it. i happen to be one of those people with multiple pronounced strengths in certain areas; math is my Achille's heel, so to speak :/ I just hope that the ivies can get over it and let me in based on my positives....it's either absolute acceptance or absolute rejection...</p>