Hello. I am currently a senior in high
school and I need help deciding which math class to take. I took AP Calculus AB last year, but my teacher wasn’t
exactly a “good” teacher, being that I
did very well in the class (an A) but got a 1 on the AP exam. Now, I am in AP Calculus BC but everything that is
supposed to be review for me is now
very difficult and I am struggling. I am pretty sure that I won’t get an A in the class and I am worried that it will drop my class rank of 1 and hurt my
chances of admission into all the very prestigious schools(Stanford, Harvard,etc…) by dropping my GPA from a 4.0. So right now I am leaning towards
switching into AP Statistics instead, as it will be easier to handle with my
already heavy course load, I find statistics more interesting than
calculus, and I feel like I will use stats more in my major. (Political Science). I am just worried to switch because my counselors keep telling me that it looks bad and reduces my chances on
college apps if I take Calculus AB and not Calculus BC. I know I’m already
doing well and shouldn’t worry so
much about one class, but with the
heavy competition to get into college
nowadays I know every little thing
matters. I’m just hoping for some
advice on what class you think I
should take. ANYTHING HELPS.
Thank you very much!!!
P.S just in case any of you were
wondering what classes I’m taking –
AP Spanish 4
AP English 4
AP Government
AP Economics
AP Stats or AP Calc BC
Drama
Anatomy HP
I think you’d be fine in stats. I think that’s a prerequisite for Poly Sci but I’m not 100% sure.
Let me give you a different perspective. My D also intends to apply to very competitive schools like you (not Harvard or Stanford as you are aiming for, but similarly competitive schools). She has AP Calc BC in her Junior Year, and she wanted to take AP Stats in her Senior Year to give herself a little break (since she will also be taking AP English, AP Spanish 5, AP Chem, AP Psych and French 4). Her GC overruled her and told her that if she did not take Honors Multivariable Calculus (especially that the school offered it), the admissions committee would think there was something wrong and they would wonder why she did not take the next natural step. We are not sure if this is overkill, but my D followed her advice. She took off AP Stats in her list and will be taking Honors MV Calc along with the other subjects mentioned.
My worry for you is that you took AP Calc AB in your Junior year, and you will not taking AP Calc BC which your school is offering. This is even one notch lower than my D’s situation. You might get a hit on the rigor. Of course my advice is only valid if you actually think that you can get an A or A- in AP Calculus BC (perhaps with a tutor if you can afford it?). If you think you cannot, then forget about rigor, and take the subject that you like and you think will do well on. It will look worse if you took AP Calc BC and got a C for a grade.
Good luck!
Thank you very much. That was very helpful!!!
Adcoms at top colleges don’t care if you have Calculus AB or BC, provided you have calculus. Take AP Statistics since your background through AP Calculus AB is shaky and BC requires a thorough background. No one is impressed by a C in an AP class.
Your admission to any school with an acceptance rate below 30% will now rest on your essays and your EC’s.
When do you need to decide?