I’m currently a junior as of right now. Due to how rural my area is, during my 8th grade year, I did not learn Pre-Algebra, so I had to take it during my freshman year of high school.
Which leaves me at a conundrum, because currently, I’m only at Geometry H this year when it comes to my math level.
I’ve decided to take Algebra 2/Trig over the summer so I can accelerate myself into Pre-Calculus for my senior year (where most seniors should be) but I can also make a push to get into AP Calc AB/BC by taking the exam for Pre-Calculus then the placement exam for whichever AP Calc class.
My question is, do I really need AP Calculus for better chances to colleges on my transcript? My major is in English, so I’m pretty doubtful that I’ll actually need the knowledge from AP Calc, but I heard that no matter the college, seeing AP Calc on your transcript is a pretty good thing. Or, should I not stress myself out senior year and just go for Pre-Calculus instead?
If I were to push for AP Calc, which one should I take? AB or BC?
Thank you in advanced for answering!
(Also, just a second tiny question. I’m able to choose between Computer Science A AP or Computer Science Principles AP for next year as an elective. Which one would you all recommend to take? I have a lot of knowledge already with Java, but like I said, I’m not majoring into CS, so I’m not sure if I truly do need CSA or not. On the other hand, I’ve heard CSP is the easiest AP class that the College Board has, and is a snooze fest, which doesn’t sit right with me as easy classes tend to not keep me interested and awake)
As far as AP CS goes, the principles course should be a more worthwhile course than the A course for a non-CS major, although the quality of instruction at you school can matter. The principles course should give you an overview of what CS is about and how it can relate to everything else, while the A course is programming and data structures for prospective CS majors.
https://cs10.org/ is a college course that AP CS principles is supposed to be like. AP CS A would be like an easier version of https://datastructur.es/ that covers somewhat less material.
I’ll talk about my own experiences with skipping pre-calc and going straight to AP Calc BC as a sophomore. I struggled a lot in first semester BC. Looking back, though, I’d say the concepts aren’t that hard to understand, and if you’re able to grasp the concepts quickly, you’ll do well in the class (also–do lots of practice problems!). Second semester BC is going pretty well.
However, I still wouldn’t recommend skipping two years of math + cramming Algebra II into a summer. I’d say it’s better to build up a strong foundation before going so far ahead. Walking into first semester BC, I had a very strong algebra background, but I still found it hard to catch up on calc while studying pre-calc at the same time. BC moves fast.
If you’re set on taking an AP Calculus, I’d go with AP Calc AB. It moves, at most, half as fast as BC, and should give you ample time to fully understand the concepts from AB and from previous math classes.
Pre-Calc is fine for an English major. Calculus would be helpful for engineering hopefuls, but it is not necessary for non-STEMs.
I agree to take AP Computer Science Principles. When taught well, it is a good overview of programming and you sample several different programming languages. AP CSA is pretty much Java. I wouldn’t call either one “easy”, though. DD spends about 10-15 hours a week writing code (but the teacher gives homework days or a week in advance, not 24 hours), and four kids have dropped the class (the last one only two weeks ago!). As @ucbalumnus mentioned, the quality of instruction varies considerably between schools.
I agree, take the class this summer and get through pre-calc next year. That is the “normal” math progression, to get to pre-calc. Definitely okay for an English major.
I agree with Precalculus and AP CS Principles being the best choices for you.
However make sure you have the most advanced classes in English, History, Foreign Language classes, and double up on one of those if possible.