<p>So, I am a rising junior and I just took AP Calc BC in my sophomore year. I decided to take my next math course at a local city college, but the class (college algebra) is full. The only class that is open is linear algebra/differential eq, which I find difficult. However, my school does offer probability/statistics and AP Stats. </p>
<p>My question is: what math course would be best for me?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>AP Stats (not confident in taking the AP exam)</p></li>
<li><p>linear algebra/differential eq (something I find difficult also scared of messing up my gpa)</p></li>
<li><p>school's probability/statistics (not honors so afraid it might look bad on my college app)</p></li>
<li><p>college algebra (too easy and the location of the next available class is quite far)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Don’t bother with “college” algebra, since it is a remedial math course that is equivalent to high school algebra 2 or something like that.</p>
<p>After calculus BC, the follow-on college sophomore-level math courses would be multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. These would normally only be taken by math, statistics, physics, chemistry, computer science, economics (PhD-bound), and engineering majors. Computer science majors may also take discrete math. College junior level math courses would be mainly of interest to math majors and some physics, statistics, economics, and computer science majors.</p>
<p>Statistics is generally useful for a lot of majors in college, although many majors will want a more in-depth or calculus-based course (versus an introductory level course or AP statistics). AP statistics is not generally considered a difficult course – it is typically equivalent to a one semester non-calculus-based college course.</p>
<p>Given your strength in math (three grade levels ahead), I don’t see why you are afraid of linear algebra and differential equations. Students that advanced in math are typically those who think the hardest math courses in their high schools and community colleges are easy (as in easy A in class and easy 5 on any applicable AP test). If your community college offers a calculus-based statistics course, that may be another course to consider.</p>
<p>Eliminate 3 and 4. Those won’t do anything for you. AP Stats should not be hard for you, it is easier than calculus. Why would you feel not confident about the exam when you haven’t even taken the class? Talk about getting ahead of yourself. It was a very popular and enjoyable class at my kid’s HS, but that may have been because of the teacher.</p>
<p>If you go the CC route, which will be a more rigorous program, the next usual course in the sequence is multivariable calculus, so see if that is available. If not, it is up to you to take the linear algebra or not. There is always the possibility of having your grade suffer a bit when you are challenging yourself.</p>