Do I need to take AP calculus?

I’m planning on majoring in Biology/Psychology. Do I need to take AP calculus my senior year (It’s AB, my school doesn’t offer BC) or can I take AP stats? The rest of my courseload in high school has been as rigorous as my school offered and I have gotten all As with one B my freshman year (in math). I’d much rather take AP stats as it seems more fun but will not taking AP calculus harm my chances as getting into a good school? Thank you for any help :slight_smile:

It depends what your goals are. It won’t hurt your chance of getting in to a good college, but may hurt your chance of getting in to an elite college.

I forgot to add, but I’d like to go to UCLA, UCSD or UC Berkeley!

For schools like UCLA/UCSD or UCB, your intended major(s) will most likely require a calculus course. It would be in your best interest to take Calculus in HS but does not necessarily need to be AP. Is there an Honors Calculus or even regular Calculus course you can take instead to prepare for these competitive schools?

Just checking some of the major requirements for UCB/UCLA and UCSD for Biology, it looks like you need to take at least 1-2 Calculus based Math courses. With Psychology, it looks like you have some options depending on UC for Calculus vs. Statistics courses.

If you are A’s and B’s in Math, I would consider taking Calculus.

Calculus AB in high school will be a more gentle introduction to calculus than calculus in college will be, since calculus AB in high school will cover material at a slower pace than calculus in college.

I believe the biology majors will require 2 quarters of calculus. Depending on your score of the AP test, you can get that requirement waived.

Re: psot #5 above, for UCB, 1 year or 2 semesters.

Remember that UC won’t use your senior year grades in admissions decisions but they will look at your senior year rigor. So assuming you can get through with a B, you will be hurting your chances for no reason if you don’t take calculus.