AP Calc vs. AP Stats: Which One Is Better For Me?

Applying to College
1

I am a rising senior and I have decided to take AP Physics and AP Chinese, but I need to take an AP math class too. I’ve heard that AP Calc looks better but I’ve made a B in dual-credit trig and pre-cal, and I’m unsure if I could at least make a B in AP Calc (it’s AB). However, I’ve heard that AP Stats is less stressful and more useful, especially in scientific research (my prospective career). However, I can’t take both because I’m also taking science classes at a community college and I know it would be too much for me to handle at once. I really want to go to Ivy League’s like Brown, etc. but I don’t want to seem less qualified because I decided to take AP Stats instead of AP Calc either. Please help me, what should I do?

2

First, it’s AP Calc, not AP Cal. There is no AP class in how to get into the University of California at Berkeley.

Second, most college admissions people look for AP Calc as a sign of rigor in a schedule. It seems like a B in the middle of your senior year would be inconsequential if you’ve kept a high GPA up until this point.

At the same time, your decision probably won’t affect your acceptance to Brown, so I would choose whichever one is most interesting to you and will work best for your career and college goals.

3

If you want to go into scientific research, you will find that all undergraduate science majors require calculus. Statistics will be useful in many areas of scientific research, but you may find that calculus-based statistics in college after you take calculus is more useful than non-calculus-based AP statistics.

Also, AP calculus AB covers material at a slower pace than college calculus courses, so it will be a more gentle introduction to calculus than if you take full speed calculus 1 in college.

4

I recommend Calc AB. I took it my sophomore year and ucbalumnus is right, it is at a slower pace. It teaches a completely different way of thinking. I definitely believe ap calc made me a better student in all my classes. I strongly recommend it!

5

Thank you for your responses. I decided to take AP Calculus.