I’m currently in Algebra 2 and I’m struggling, but next year I have the option to take Precalc or Ap Stats. Statistics interests me more, but Precalc is the usual route at my high school. Will my choice affect college admission? Which one do I take? Please help!
What grade are you in? If you’re struggling in math, stats could be easier than pre-calc.
However, it’s best to finish at least pre-calc in high school (preferably calculus but not necessary) to be prepared for more calculus in college.
What are you planning to major in?
If your college major requires calculus, you will have to take precalculus, either in high school or as a remedial course in college.
College majors that require calculus typically include business, economics, and biology, as well as the usual math-heavy subjects (math, physics, engineering, etc.).
The answer depends on what you hope to major in.
For now, get a tutor. Make sure your grade in Algebra2 does not slip below a B- (or bring it back up to that level).
At my Ds school taking either either AP Calc or AP Stats as a senior is considered “Very Rigorous.” I agree with rdeng2614 that while Stats my be easier for you (and viewed as more rigorous) you may be better of with PreCalc.
Agree with MYOS1634 that the answer lies in your choice of major. If you are looking at a major the requires only College Algebra and Stats, then AP Stats is the way to go. If you are looking at a major that requires a Calculus sequence, you will be much better off spending a year of HS working on PreCalc. If PreCalc in HS is too difficult, it is unlikely that Calc in college will go well.
BTW, my D struggled in the first semester of Algebra II but did much better in the second semester when they starting covering Trig. She is in PreCalc now (covering Trig) and likes it much better than Algebra II or Geometry. Perhaps you need to give Algebra II a little more time before deciding.
If you are a sophomore, then obviously you can take both courses. If you are a junior, you should talk to your math teacher and guidance counselor when it’s time to choose courses for next year. Depending on your course load, you could probably take them both at the same time.
My D ended up taking Trig online during the summer and is now in AP Stats as a senior (She was not up to taking two math courses at once and felt that Trig was at least better than skipping trig/precalc completely). She is mostly looking at majors that require just one semester of very basic calculus and one or two stats classes. She might end up taking college algebra online or at a CC next summer to make sure she’s on track.
If you are having a hard time in algebra 2 then pre-cal is not a good choice. I’d say sign up for stats.
Pre Med
Many (though not all) medical schools require calculus and/or statistics in their pre-med course work. Many do not accept AP credit to fulfill pre-med course work, so you will have to take the specified courses (or more advanced ones) in college.
Based on that, completing precalculus in high school is likely to be a better choice so that you are ready for calculus and statistics in college. AP statistics generally does not lead to more advanced statistics courses (which generally have calculus or higher level math as prerequisites).
See how you’re doing with Algebra2. If you can’t get a clear A+, forget “premed” as a major. It’s super competitive even for straight-A students.
If you like the health professions, what about PA, PT, nursing?
For all health professions, you’ll need precalculus AND calculus, both of which are typically much harder conceptually than Algebra2 (although they may be more fun for those who “like math”.) In that case, you must take precalculus AND get at least a B/B+ in it to even have a shot.
As others have said, depends on your intended major, but let me add it also depends on how selective the colleges you plan on applying to. Most viable candidates at the most selective colleges will have taken Calc. in HS