<p>I am a sophomore at a boarding school and I have to decide the courses to take next year.
For math, I can take Ap calculus Ab or AP Calculus BC. But I am not very good at math even though I have taken honor Algebra II and Honor Precalculus. And I am thinking about taking AP calculus AB instead of BC. But I am afraid that my admission will get hurt if I do not take the most rigorous math class. So my qustion is "</p>
<p>If you want to be pre-med, BC is the better route (if you don’t take it now, you’ll have to take it again in college anyways).</p>
<p>my friend (accepted to Wellesley) is planning on doing pre-med and is acing Calculus AB, and I am in Calculus BC (not pre-med) and have a lower grade in that class then my other classes. We were both accepted Early Decision. I would suggest doing whatever would be reasonable with your other courses. If you are going to have a busy year next year then take AB, but if you are going to have a lighted course load, take BC.</p>
<p>My D was advised by a nationally recognized math instructor at one of LACs listed here, NOT to take AP Calculus BC in HS, because the college course is more rigorous, and will serve you better…he felt that the AB course (if you do well) is OK.</p>
<p>Uh… there’s only one LAC listed here.</p>
<p>Students come to and are admitted to Wellesley with a variety of math aptitudes and backgrounds. Some have never taken calculus and never do. Others come in with credit for the BC, or may have even taken courses beyond that. I don’t know how many people come in with BC credit, but they are a small minority. Coming in with BC credit is highly useful if you want to major in the sciences, because it will lighten the course load early on.</p>
<p>Whether a college course is more rigorous depends on the teachers of both. I don’t recommend choosing not to take BC in high school because a college course will be better taught is sound advice. Simply put, high school classes are slower paced and designed around more practice, and that learning style works better for many. The quality of an individual AP course really depends on your teacher’s track record. If her students consistently get fives, take her course.</p>
<p>The only thing that would prevent you from taking MATH 116 at Wellesley, is a BC Calc score of 5. Therefore, I don’t think it’s harmful to take the exam and do well.</p>
<p>Personal disclaimer: I took AP Calculus AB my junior year, but self-studied the BC material and took that test instead. I would say I didn’t get a good foundation in Taylor series, but nobody taught them to me.</p>
<p>OP: According to the back of the “Stand and Deliver” DVD box, only 2% of high school seniors take the AP Calculus exam. You are good at math.</p>
<p><uh… there’s=“” only=“” one=“” lac=“” listed=“” here.=“”></uh…></p>
<p>In this website section, “CC Top Liberal Arts Colleges” there are a number of LACs</p>
<p>I agree that a good HS AP course can be proper preparation, however, by your own admission, you self-studied the BC material and could have been better prepared. I was merely pointing out a conversation with a nationally-recognized math teacher wherein he stated that “in his opinion” a better foundation in BC would be gained in college. </p>
<p><op: according=“” to=“” the=“” back=“” of=“” “stand=”" and=“” deliver"=“” dvd=“” box,=“” only=“” 2%=“” high=“” school=“” seniors=“” take=“” ap=“” calculus=“” exam.=“” you=“” are=“” good=“” at=“” math.=“”></op:></p>
<p>This must be true, it’s on the back of a DVD box!</p>
<p>There’s no one right way to do it. If you feel that you will be most successful in AB Calc, then go for it. I know a math minor here who took AB Calc junior year and BC Calc senior year. There are plenty of students at Wellesley who never took calculus at all in high school.</p>