<p>AP Statistics is considered a "joke" at our school, because there are other upper-level advanced courses and it's considered one of the easier ones. However, the teacher's good and the class is taught all the content necessary for the AP exam, so it's really not a "joke" in that it's an easy slacker class, if you know what I mean. To be honest, I'm not sure really why it's considered a "joke." Anyway, enough about that - I haven't even taken that class yet so that's not entirely relevant.</p>
<p>Point is, I'm debating between Stats and Calc 2/3 next year. I'm in BC this year and am doing well so far. </p>
<p>I'll be a senior and full IB Diploma candidate next year, so I kind of want to take a lighter load. I know that AP Stats will be a more manageable class compared to Calc 2/3, but since AP Stats has a reputation of being an easier math course, will colleges look unfavorably upon me choosing AP Stats next year? I've challenged myself in all other areas of study, so I feel like it would be okay, but I wanted to hear your opinions. I heard Calc 2/3 is tough in college too, so a lot of people have been suggesting that I take it now. While that's a valid reason, I don't know if I want to really push myself that much senior year, with college apps and all going on. I guess I could do it, but I'm not sure if I want to and if it will be worth it. So all in all - what should I do!</p>
<p>Is AP Stats weighted higher than Calc 2/3 ?</p>
<p>You will not be looked down upon for taking Stats. Many schools don’t even offer Calc 2/3 so it’s certainly not expected. Stats gets a bad reputation in admissions simply because it’s clearly the lesser mathematics AP, and many students take Stats to avoid taking AP Calc. If you’ve already taken BC, I see absolutely nothing wrong with taking AP Stats. Chances are, colleges won’t even know Calc 2/3 was an option for you, and will assume you just took the most rigorous math class available to you.</p>
<p>Still, if you want to challenge yourself and think you can handle it, go for it. My advice is don’t pick Calc 2/3 ONLY because you fear having AP Stats on your transcript.</p>
<p>Calc 2/3 and AP Stats have the same weight - 5.0/4.0.</p>
<p>I’d assumed the same - that since I’m taking BC, it wouldn’t matter too much if I took AP Statistics. However, I’m at an IB school where a lot of my peers are taking IB Math HL and a few (usually around 10) take Calc 2/3. I took Math SL independent study this year because I’d originally planned to take Calc 2/3 next year…and so I’m afraid that it might look like I’m trying to take it <em>too</em> easy in math if I take Stats. Would you still say that AP Stats would be fine, or due to my school’s many math offerings, would it be better to take Calc 2/3 just considering colleges’ preferences?</p>
<p>I think you should also consider what your intended major/career is; if both classes are equally necessary or useful for said major, then I would suggest Calc 2/3 if you think you can handle it. Are you more likely to regret it taking it, or not? Do you get college credit for it?</p>
<p>Many schools do not offer such a class (I know mine doesn’t) but college admissions sometimes check to see what classes are offered at your school, and often ask counselors or teachers how rigorous your schedule was in comparison to other students (such as your peers taking Calc 2/3), or at least the number of AP/honors classes offered at your school.</p>