<p>I'm a sophomore. By the end of junior year(not counting AP Calc) I will have taken 5 APs and will take 5 more senior year. If I'm looking at a good school(Brown, UPenn, Stanford) how much will not having AP Calc hurt me. Let's assume that I get a 780 on the SAT: Math II Thanks</p>
<p>One can't really say (although it's probably more advantageous to have). You said you're looking at Penn. If you plan on applying to Wharton, they require having taken college Calculus prior to matriculation, so you wouldn't likely be extended a bid for admission. For the rest, just challenge yourself.</p>
<p>If you want to major in math intensive majors, such as engineering, physics, econometrics, I guess it'd be better to take the AP Calc course than not</p>
<p>AP Calc teaches you very valuable analytical skills. In this sense, it is an important class and one that most selective colleges and universities are looking for. There are students who get into top schools every year without it, but keep in mind that these institutions are looking for students who have challenged themselves in a variety of subjects - if the course is offered and you haven't taken it, you may be at a competitive disadvantage in the applicant pools at these schools as most applicants are taking AP Calc if it is offered at their schools. If you are taking 3 or 4 other SOLID APs your senior year (meaning core courses like English, history, foreign language, lab science - not elective APs like psychology, econ, stats, government), it would be reasonable to take a non-AP level calculus course; if you are taking more elective APs, not having a math course your senior year is not going to bode well.</p>
<p>I'll be taking AP Calc AB senior year. I'm just asking will i be at a huge disadvantage, especially if I have lots of very other rigorous APs(2 englishes, bio, chem, physics, US history, Govt politics, econ, stat)</p>
<p>AP Calc or IB Math? Which is preferred?</p>
<p>sandman - in the original post you ask "how much will not having AP Calc hurt me?" So are you asking if you'll be at a disadvantage if you take AP Calc AB rather than AP Calc BC?</p>
<p>take AP Calc, preferably BC, if u want to get into high-tier college.
They know that AP Calc BC is the hardest course to take in high school so they really put high emphasis on that.
Also, even if ur not planning on going into math or science related majors, but still take AP science classes or AP Calculus BC, believe me, colleges will be impressed.</p>
<p>Plus, AP Calc BC really won't kill you as long as you keep up with the fast-paced work.</p>
<p>For AdOfficer- I'll for sure take AP Calc AB senior year but I'm asking how much not having AP Calc BC on that transcript will hurt me. I just might not have the grade (in PreCalc H) that will let me take BC by senior year.</p>
<p>If you can only take AP Calc AB, that should be fine. While there is a difference in the pace of the two calc courses, the fact that you are taking AP Calc, period, is really what is most important - challenging yourself across a broad range of subjects (as you seem to be) is most great!</p>