I’m not really sure how this works, as this is my first post on this website; but I’ll give it a shot. I need some help here.
I’m a freshman taking AP Calculus, but it’s been a bit of a struggle. I’m not doing too well in the class, and I certainly don’t have an A - my guess is I’ll finish the quarter with a B or so.
My question is, if I’m applying to top-tier colleges, will they be repelled by that B I have in AP Calc as a freshman, and rather have a student who gets an A in say, Honors Geometry as a freshman and then proceeds to take AP Calc as a senior and gets an A then? I’m really worried about how the one blemish will look on my transcript.
I’m currently considering dropping the class or switching to AP Stats or just Honors Calculus. I’m not having trouble understanding the material, but the difficulty of the problems on the tests is far greater than the problems we do for homework and classwork; furthermore, the tests are also long and most of those who are in my class don’t end up finishing the tests like I do.
You are four grade levels ahead in math, so it is puzzling that you are not a top student in math who would not find any high school math course difficult.
Though if the course is that hard for you, it is probably even harder for everyone else in the course, as you suggest with your comment on the tests. (Is it AB or BC?)
Also, if you delay taking AP calculus, you will have to face it later in high school, when grades commonly matter more at holistic admissions schools.
If there is an Honors Calc you can take this year, and then ace Calc BC next year, that seems like the reasonable solution to me. I wouldn’t say colleges would be repelled per se, by less-than-A work in AP Calc as a 9th grader, but they might wonder why you were on such an accelerated math track if you could not get A’s. Better to make sure you’re laying a really solid foundation.
What is your plan beyond AP Calc, while you are still in high school? Does your school offer additional higher math? Are you planning to take dual enrollment classes? Do you hope to major in math or something math-adjacent in college?
There’s no situation I can think of in which it’s important for a student to finish AP Calc as a freshman. JMHO, but I would slow it down a little. It’s not a race. Keep in mind that students who place ahead based on AP classes can be at somewhat of a disadvantage at some colleges even if they did extremely well. The equivalent classes at many colleges are taught with more depth and rigor - for example, using proof-based approaches. Don’t be in a rush and let your level of mastery diverge from what your college will expect (unless your goal is to be done with math after high school and go major in something else entirely).
Regular calculus 1 and 2 courses at most colleges are not particularly proof-heavy. Many use a variant of the Stewart calculus textbook that many high school AP calculus courses use. Of course, there are exceptions like at Caltech and Harvey Mudd.
However, some students struggle in college math because college math courses move at a faster pace than high school calculus AB or two year AB and BC sequence, or they have difficulty with the college course format which requires more self-motivation and time management than in high school with much greater teacher supervision. Students taking college math courses while in high school (e.g. after calculus BC) could face similar issues, but that may be a gentler introduction to college courses if they are taking one or two college courses among high school courses in other subjects.
Thanks all for your advice. The course isn’t too difficult, it’s just the tests, although my foundation in math is a bit shaky. I don’t know what I’ll do after Calc. Probably Stats next year, but no one usually makes it this far in my school so I have no idea after that. I believe the course is BC but I’m not sure. If I can’t get an A in the course and I’m applying to Ivy-League schools, should I drop? I’m focusing on soccer, not sure this is the route to go.