<p>So I'm a junior. I am currently taking AP Calc BC and AP Physics B.</p>
<p>As of now, I'm not sure if I should take AP Probability and Statistics or Differential Equations/Calc III next year. Also, I'm debating between taking AP Physics C or AP Chemistry. </p>
<p>Which ones do you think would look better on a transcript? I heard that Diffeq/CalcIII is harder than AP ProbStat, but ProbStat is an AP course which will be weighted heavier. Also, should I take Physics C since i've taken Physics B this year already?</p>
<p>I'm not sure what I want to major in, but I know I don't want to go into medicine or human resources. I enjoy science and math, but also art.</p>
<p>Differential Equations / Multivariable Calc is boring as hell… Linear Algebra and Analysis (Complex is AWESOME) although Abstract Algebra is where the party’s at lol.</p>
<p>Jokes aside Multivariable/DiffEq is an exceptionally boring course that you could (well I did anyway) decide to self-study and can learn if you dedicate a little over a week to it.</p>
<p>Why can’t you take both physics and chem? Physics B is a joke, since there isn’t even any calc involved, so if you plan on going into anything engineering or science related, taking physics C would be advantageous. </p>
<p>Take:
Physics C
Chem (if you can)
Linear (screw diffEqs)</p>
<p>Self Study:
Stats</p>
<p>Besides being more fun, taking linear before diffEqs has certain advantages, as some material included in diffEqs will be introduced in linear.</p>
<p>The problem is, i only have enough space in my schedule for 2 more classes.</p>
<p>In my school, Physics C is considered easier than Physics B, especially for those who have taken B already. I was just wondering if colleges would see that as me slacking off.</p>
<p>My school doesn’t offer linear…eh. So you’re saying I should selfstudy Stats and take Diffeq/CalcIII? Do most colleges accept AP Stats score credits?</p>
<p>Physics and Chem depend on what kind of teacher you have, like my class (just AP Physics since we offer only one class of AP Physics without distinction between B and C), our teacher expects us to pretty much remember the stuff we did in regular physics (which was mostly lab work, while this year we haven’t done any), and so we’ve been done with B material for over a month, and have gone back and started on Mech C material. The way the class is structured makes it incredibly easy to get a good grade (since there basically aren’t any), but many times more flexible and stimulating than any other class I’m in–we spent all block today working on a pendulum problem, and ended up deriving the formula for a generalized pendulum.</p>
<p>Don’t bother with stats. You’ll probably have to take a calc-based stats in college if you plan on doing anything that would require stats. Diff EQ and Calc 3 would probably serve you best. Then whichever you’d rather take of AP Chem or Physics C take that. If you’re planning on Pre-Med, I would recommend AP Chem. If Engineering, Physics C. Anything else just what you prefer.</p>
<p>I think you shouldn’t worry about the weighting, but yes, AP Stats is far easier. But you are unlikely to get college credit for it (and if you do it probably won’t be for any class you need).</p>
<p>For the record, there’s no AP Probability and Statistics. It’s just AP Statistics. This is no fine distinction. And AP Stat isn’t really a math class, imo, and it’s dreadfully boring/easy.</p>
<p>Go with Multivariable. If you’ve already taken Physics B, then all of the new stuff in Physics C will likely be covered in your Multivariable Calc class. Chemistry is useful to know too if you’re going into science, even if only for general knowledge purposes.</p>
<p>This would be good advice if colleges didn’t care about what courses each applicant is taking–which they do–and if most colleges allowed students to place out of MVC–which they don’t.</p>
<p>My school calls it that, since there is a significant probability component, and all of hypothesis testing is ultimately based on probability anyway.</p>
<p>It’s definitely easy mathematically - maybe a little tricky conceptually. However, I would NOT self-study it unless the teacher sucks (which is unfortunately true of many stats teachers). Part of the importance of stats is in allowing one to be more rigorous in determining if data are significant, and if you self-study, you won’t learn to be rigorous. Stats is one subject you cannot let yourself get lazy in, even if it’s not really hard work.</p>
<p>There’s a small amount of probability, which mostly came to explaining what a certain function is then teaching you how to do it on your calculator.
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<p>I’m not sure what you mean by rigor in determining whether data is significant. There’s basically just a list of things you have to check depending on the situation. It’s really dull, tedious labor.</p>
<p>One of my calc teachers told me that statistics is one of the most pertinent math subjects a person can learn, and expressed his desires that statistics be part of the mandatory high school curriculum. My high school doesn’t have a stats course, so I’m self-studying it now (and a lot of other kids have successfully self-studied for the exam before). It’s easy enough, but I doubt I’m really “capturing the essence” of what statistics is all about.</p>
<p>I can now point out flaws in probability statements, gather data, and make inferences though. So it’s all good.</p>
<p>Personally I don’t give a stuff about what colleges care about regarding which classes I do or do not take. Also while most colleges won’t let you place out of Multivariable they will most likely have a proof-based analysis like course in the MVC subject area in which it is advised that you have a good background in MVC before you take it.</p>
<p>There’s a lot of probability. Trust me on this one. Besides all that Boolean crap and probability distributions (binomial and geometric are covered) and combinations and permutations and all that, probability is the basis of hypothesis testing. If one doesn’t get that, one has missed half of what he needs to know to apply stats in real life.</p>
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<p>It does seem dull and tedious, but it’s absolutely necessary. Besides checking conditions, you have to be very clear about what the results mean, which is where lots of people lose points on the AP test. The problem is that often, in the “real world,” these conditions aren’t met, and people have to know how to adapt their techniques accordingly.</p>