I’m a senior who’s taken BC calc, and I want to either take AP stat with my school, statistics from a local college, multivariable calc from a local college, or linear algebra from a local college.
I’m not sure what the best decision for me is.
The college courses will be more work, and I don’t know if it’s worth it to be busy during applications. Will colleges see me as a slacker if I take stat after calc? Conversely, will they write me off as a slacker after seeing my high school transcript with only 4 courses senior year (not seeing the college transcript with linear algebra instead of stat)?
I’d really appreciate some advice.
Everyone at my school usually takes Stats after they take Calc. Some choose to have dual enrollment so they take Stats at school and another math course at our local CC.
And to answer your original question: no. It’s not impressive. Students do it all the time.
It is good but it is not really impressive. It is consider high rigor. Note that most AP classes are at a slower pace than the corresponding subject in college even the content may be similar. In addition, AP credit requires exam score at certain level but accepted by most colleges. DE credits are earned if you passed the school exam and if the college you matriculated accept the credits. Many schools do not consider DE credits if it is taken solely by HS students, taught at HS, or from OOS.
No. While finding ways to stretch yourself outside of school is viewed positively, colleges will not expect you to spin your wheels and look for classes that are not part of your HS’s curriculum.
You list your senior schedule on the common app; that would include courses taken outside of your HS. If the college course is not a DE course that is listed on your transcript, most colleges will want the college transcript as part of the application.
Take what you want to take!
If you expect to do more math in college, go for it and take the advanced class. Stop worrying about what colleges will think.