<p>Does it matter if you took Multivariable Calc senior year? Would it look better in college admissions than another senior who took AP Calc BC?</p>
<p>Multivariable calculus comes after AP Calculus BC, for the record. You wouldn’t be choosing between them.
Most high schools don’t offer multivariable. It would look better for you to take it if it’s offered, but not taking it wouldn’t put you at any disadvantage.</p>
<p>just wondering, how many seniors who took AP Calc BC got accepted into MIT vs a senior who took Multivariable calc?</p>
<p>I doubt that kind of data is available, but even if it were there would be a ton of confounding factors.
Consider that most high school students don’t have access to a multivariable calculus class. Many don’t even have access to AP Calculus BC.
Students who go to high schools that offer multivariable calculus tend to be more privileged than most high school students, and these students have many advantages in college admissions just by virtue of the situation they were born into. They tend to get higher test scores and their parents are more supportive.</p>
<p>If multivariable calculus is offered at your school and you want to go to MIT, it would probably be in your best interest to take it. But if it’s not offered at your high school, it’s no big deal.</p>
<p>Even if your school doesn’t offer MVC, there could still be some way you could learn it. I’m taking it (and Linear Algebra) through a (very expensive) summer program, but there might be other options. Is there a nearby college where you could take it? Could you self-study it through the internet? Could you take an online course?</p>
<p>If there are no options, then don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>As far as I know, AP Calculus BC is essentially Calculus 1 and 2, while Multivariable Calculus is essentially Calculus 3. Calculus 1 and 2 are prerequisites for Calculus 3, which means most people who take Multivariable Calculus senior year took AP Calculus junior year, so which class you’ll really depends on how advanced you are in math and your school’s selection of classes. Of course, you might be able to advance further through summer classes. For schools like MIT, it’s probably best to take the highest level of math classes available to you, but I wouldn’t be too worried if Multivariable Calculus isn’t available.</p>
<p>For the record, anything that costs money is an extra (and expensive classes often say more about your privilege than your mathematical talent). If you take what your school offers you will have done all you can.</p>
<p>is it okay if you take ap calc bc, but instead of taking multivariable calculus the next year, you take ap statistics?</p>
<p>thanks guys, but I’m hoping that I can take Algebra II freshmen, so when it comes to senior year, I can take Multivariable calc. in the local community college. :)</p>