Hi I’m a junior and my senior schedule is due in a week! My sechdule is extremely rigorous and full of AP and IB classes but I can’t decide between AP Calc and AP Stat. Which one is easier? With applying to college and taking several other challenging classes I’m going to be really strsssed next year so I’m trying to figure out which one would be easier? I want to major in business administration, don’t know if that makes a difference. Thanks!
If a college sees them as differently rigorous, it is likely to see calculus as more rigorous.
Business majors in college typically need to take both calculus and statistics (though sometimes calculus-based statistics is required).
Calc AB satisfies your math requirement at many undergraduate business programs - personally I would want to get that one out of the way. Also agree that AP Calc will appear a little more rigorous.
At my son’s school AP Stats is easier. However it could depend on your specific teachers. Check with other students and see what you can find out. Also if you have an idea of schools you are interested in, you can check with the schools to see what they would prefer/expect.
My D was faced with this issue as well. Stats is easier at her school. Her GC told her that if she took Calc, GC would be able to declare that D took the most rigorous courseload available, but if she chose Stats (which GC thinks is more important for D’s prospective major), it would technically NOT be the most rigorous courseload.
So if that matters to you, check with your GC to see if it makes a difference.
For the record, My D has decided to take both math courses, sacrificing a fun but less important AP (Art History). She figures with all of the essay writing she’ll be doing for college apps, math homework will be preferable to more essays.
If you are planning to go to a high level b-school, I’d recommend calc (although stat is generally regarded as the easier class). The reason is that when you get to college you will need at least a semester of calc in any business school. My S did not take calc in HS and found that he was one of only a couple of kids in his college class who did had not already taken it. He was really at a disadvantage and had a tough time in the course – essentially he was competing with people who had studied the bulk of the material already. Many students don’t take stat in HS so you I don’t think you would have the same issue in that class. I would probably recommend taking calc even if you take one less ap in another subject.
And agree with above, that you should talk to your GC and if you plan to apply to top tier colleges see what you need to take in order for the GC to check that you have taken the most rigorous schedule available at your HS.