Calculus or AP Stats?

Applying to College
1

<p>I've heard that some colleges prefer candidates with Calculus, including some of my top schools (Dartmouth, Wesleyan). Right now, I'm a junior in a Pre-Calc. Apparently our class is supposed to prepare us for AP Calc, but AP Calc at my school is so intense, and I will already be taking three other APs next year (including APUSH), that I don't know if it would be a good idea. I could take regular calculus instead, or opt for AP Stats.</p>

<p>What do you think is the best idea? Go for AP Calc, or do AP Stats instead? Or regular Calc?</p>

<p>Do you think AP Stats really reflects worse on me, especially if the alternative is a non-AP class?</p>

2

<p>Take AP Calc if you want to handle it, but if you decide not to, I would take regular Calculus over AP Stats.</p>

3

<p>Taking AP Calc and getting a 4 or 5 will make life easier once you get into college. Unless you plan on being a stats major, taking AP stats is practically useless.</p>

4

<p>I think it depends on what your major is. If you are majoring in a subject that will involve analyzing research data such as psychology, political science,etc., then AP Stat will be more helpful to you than Calculus. My daughter chose AP Stat over regular Calculus in her senior year and has said that the stat has helped her a lot at college (poli science major) and it was the right decision for her.</p>

<p>The flip side is if you are majoring in something that requires Calculus, then I think you want to have some Calculus under your belt before you get to college and I would recommend Calc over stat.</p>

5

<p>I plan to major in something relating to humanities/social science, so I doubt Calculus will be necessary for my career, at least.</p>

6

<p>Take both like I'm doing!! haha kidding, I know you're trying to lessen your load, not add more.</p>

<p>Well as far as admissions, Calc might straightforward look better, but like Chocomom said, if it helps you with your major the way it did her daugther, it could be the right decision.</p>

<p>AP Stats is a completely different kind of math.. I don't think personally either is necessarily harder (some might think Calc is harder though), but it's just more with analyzing studies and outcomes, working data. I like it though, cause at least with my teacher we get to play and analyze games like roulette and other gambling things haha. [and we win candy bars! that's the reason we come to school anyways, yeah?]</p>

7

<p>if you like math and are good at it, i say go for the AP. the exam really isnt that hard. I'm in AP stats now and i HATE it. worst class I've ever taken. go for calculus. trust me, you'll enjoy it a lot more even though there's more work.</p>

8

<p>today was my first day of stats, seems like it will be hard but fun</p>