How can I take AP Calc independently?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>Hello! So, I got my senior schedule yesterday and there was a problem. Because I need so many religion credits to graduate at my school, I am not able to take AP Calculus unless I sacrifice AP Micro and take a different religion class that I don't want to take.</p>

<p>My only other option would be to take the first semester of AP Calc independently. Now, I know very little of Calculus, but I have heard and suspect that it isn't an AP class that someone can reasonably expect to self-study. On the other hand, I don't now of any online programs or the like that can offer me one semester of AP Calc. </p>

<p>Is it sensible to drop AP Micro and take up this other dumb, religion class just so I can take AP Calc first semester? Can I self-study AP Micro or something?</p>

<p>What are your thoughts?</p>

2

<p>What other courses are you taking?</p>

3

<p>Oh, yes. My school offers very few AP’s and no IB, but this is one of the more rigorous possible courseloads I can take regardless:</p>

<p>Semester 1 schedule:

  1. Anatomy and Physiology
  2. AP English Lang.
  3. Intro. to Desktop Publishing
  4. Advanced Topics in Physical Science (college-level physics and organic chemistry)
  5. *Free…?
  6. International Relations Seminar (Class focused on U.S. foreign policy through the Cold War–lots of essays.)
  7. World Religions </p>

<p>(I can’t switch out of World Religions for AP Calc without sacrificing AP Micro in second semester for a Ministry class. My school is a Catholic one and so I’m required to take so many religion classes to graduate.)</p>

<p>*My school is getting rid of homeroom to make space for a full period of band/choir. I am not taking either, so I’m planning on self-studying/doing hw in this timeframe. I’m not sure yet if the AP Calc teacher will be available during this time.</p>

4

<p>From what I understand, Micro and Macro aren’t super hard, so you should be able to self-study.</p>

5

<p>I can probably provide some advice, which AP Calc do you want to study independently BC or AB?</p>

6

<p>It is AB. 10char.</p>

7

<p>Can anybody give me an idea of just how difficult AP Calc AB is? Is it possible to take the class (turn in hw assignments etc.) and get an A with limited teacher guidance?</p>

8

<p>The only thing I can shed light on is it is possible. I went to a catholic high school just like you but couldnt take the uniformity of it. We had a senior my freshman year who self studied it and got a 5 but then again he was val and spent his whole time doing school. He literally had no ec’s and never went out just school.</p>

9

<p>^I am that kid and I make no apologies Lol. The only thing I am worried about is that the schools I am applying to will look at it and think that I am not taking a Math credit (which I technically am not) and they might be turned off by that. </p>

<p>Also difficult is the fact that I will be taking the second half of the class in the second semester. So, I need to make sure I know what I’m doing before January. Like I said, I have a full period of free time to study up, complete assignments and see the teacher.</p>

<p>I really don’t want to take a ministry class. The grading is based off how well your volunteer coordinator thinks you did and I don’t want to risk my GPA on something stupid like that.</p>

10

<p>

So talk about how you taught yourself Calc in your essay.</p>

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<p>I think schools will be turned on not off by teaching yourself a topic such as calc. It shwos determination and intelligence. </p>

<p>Also with the ministry class if your grade is derived from how well you volunteered just try to make the time spent volunteering as enjoyable as possible. You always make things go by faster and you do better in them if you enjoy.</p>

12

<p>I might put it in the “other details” section or whatever the app. provides. However, I will be applying to my top choices early (September), so they won’t be able to see the fruits of my labor before they choose to accept me.</p>

<p>I am fortunate enough that I took Algebra at the school in eighth grade, so I do have the required 4 years of Math that is customary at most top tier colleges. </p>

<p>The dumbest part is that they added this stupid extra religion credit during my tenure at the school. Two years ago and I could have had the perfect, science-heavy schedule. If God exists, He’s not doing himself any favors… </p>

<p>Thanks for the help so far! I’ve been shooting emails and messages to my guidance counselor, the teacher, and last year’s valedictorian among others for their opinions as well.</p>