Hi people! So I’m a graduating junior this year
My courses this year were:
AP English Language
AP Chem
AP US History
AP Biology
AP Calc BC
AP Physics 1/2
I managed with all As!!!
Anyways next year (my senior year) I can’t decide on my classes. I’m definetelty taking AP Statistics. But do I really need to take Advanced Multivariable Calculus, it’s not even an AP class and it’s just a school -created class which is the highest level of math available. I have an interest in Pre-med side a lot more, so AP Physc sounds better.
For schools like Ivy League is Multi Calc necessary? And if you’re not aiming for Ivy (Rice, GT, Berkeley)?
Take multivariable calc. It looks wayyy more impressive than AP Psych regardless of whether it is AP or not.
I wouldn’t say it’s “necessary” for the colleges you’ve listed, but the fact that you’re taking the hardest math course available at your school will work in your favor.
Multi-variable Calculus hands down.
Multivariable calculus will be more advanced and rigorous, but if it is not a dual enrollment course, you may not be able to get credit and placement for it in college at colleges which do not have credit or placement by (their own) exam.
Pre-meds do not generally need multivariable calculus unless their majors require it (e.g. math, statistics, or physics major). Also note that dual enrollment grades are included in GPA when applying to medical school.
^ While that is true, the OP’s primary motive is to get into an elite college, so multivariable calc would be the better choice here.
OP, if you really want the AP Psychology credit, just self-study it. It was by far my easiest AP exam IMO.
Take whichever one interests you more, not what “sounds better.” As mentioned above, you may not need MVC and you may not get credit for it. MVC is definitely not required for admission to any school, including those in the Ivy League. On the flip side, depending on the college, you may not get credit for AP Psych either.
Take the Multivariable calculus. Self-study AP Psych if you wish to.
MV is necessary for no school but it’s rare enough that it’d definitely help you stand out if you can get an a or a b at least.
What’s the rest of your schedule like? Depending in its intensity, you may need to take ap psych to balance things out.
If you are doing pre-med, I would take AP Psychology as that woudl be more useful than multivariable calculus unless you are doing biomedical engineering