<p>I'm a junior, and I'm choosing my courses for next year this week. Almost everyone takes AP Calc AB or BC, but I am considering taking either no math at all or an easier alternative (which is officially the same level of math, but honors instead of AP, and is known around our school as very easy). The reason I don't want to take calculus is not that it would hurt my GPA (which it probably would), but because it would make me miserable. I hate math, and would absolutely not take it if it weren't frowned upon by colleges. However, I do plan on applying to top schools (williams, tufts, brown, etc). How terrible would taking no math at all senior year? Or a less challenging one? Happiness or college?</p>
<p>If it matters, I'm about 20th in my class of 400, SAT should be about 2100, with 650ish math, and I am not taking any math SAT 2's.</p>
<p>Also--this is kind of important in my decision--my school does block scheduling, so we take only 4 classes for one semester and then a new 4 the next semester. However, calculus would take up a block each semester, while the honors option would only take up one for one semester--do I really want spend 1/4 of my senior schedule on something I hate?</p>
<p>Depends...if you want to do engineering or science, suck it up and take calculus. Not exactly sure what to do if you're planning to major in something else...would AP stats be an option?</p>
<p>"However, I do plan on applying to top schools (williams, tufts, brown, etc). How terrible would taking no math at all senior year? "
In reality, at those colleges, it would probably put your applicaton in the reject pile. If you HS did not offer AP math courses, it would be looked at differently, but those colleges [B/W] expect students to have taken the most rigorous HS courses available. You will be competing with thousands of students who have taken AP math classes, often in their JR year. So if you want to have a better chance then take an AP math class. You also need to find some real safety colleges even if you take an AP math class, because colleges of the caliber of Brown and Williams reject 85% of applicants.</p>
<p>I took a harder math this year even though I absolutely hate the subject and it has negatively impacted my entire gpa. I always feel stressed about it, I received the lowest grade of my life first semester (I had to send the grade to USC too, ughh...) and am still struggling.</p>
<p>I sucked it up because I figured it's make for a better course load, but I spend so much time being stressed and studying for math that my other grades have suffered. Not to mention I was an "A" math student my entire life and received a very low "B" for calculus so far.</p>
<p>Bottom line, if you need the class for engineering, business, etc. take it. If you're an english or history person, I think a 95+ in an "easier" math looks a lot better than an 85 in a harder one.</p>
<p>Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>P.S. Remember calculus is an entirely different animal than any algebra or basic trig, but I'm sure you already know that.</p>
<p>I took Statistics AP. Math is one of my weaker subjects and I still was able to slack my way to a solid B. I got a 680 on the Math SAT (2030 total), so you should be able to get AT LEAST a B as well. If you're just looking for a relatively easy math class that doesn't hurt your resume, I'd reccomend that if it's offered.</p>
<p>Take AP STAT! It is kinda hard at my school (only because our teacher sucks and we aren't motivated) but it is certainly easy. It is a nice gpa pad, Im no math wiz either.</p>
<p>This is data from Brown's Common Data set-They recommend 4 yrs of math and 4 years of science.
Distribution of high school units required and/or recommended. Specify the distribution of academic high school course units required and/or recommended of all or most degree-seeking students using Carnegie units (one unit equals one year of study or its equivalent). If you use a different system for calculating units, please convert.
UnitsRequired
UnitsRecommended
Total academic units
16
19
English
4
4
Mathematics
3
4
Science
3
4
CDS-</p>
<p>Take the easier math instead. If you take AP Cal and end up with a C or D, then it does not look good either. Make sure you have plenty of safeties. Why? You may think something as a safety and it's not.</p>
<p>Best yet, apply ED/EA somewhere so your senior year grades do not affect admission decision.</p>
<p>This is the link to Williams
Williams</a> College | Admission | How to Prepare for Williams
And the first paragraph states the following:</p>
<p>Applicants should pursue the strongest program of study offered by their schools. Wherever possible, you should take honors or advanced level courses, especially in fields of great interest to you. A challenging and well-balanced program of study ideally should include: a full four-year sequence in English and mathematics; study of one foreign language for three or, preferably, four years; and three years of study each in the social sciences and laboratory sciences. These are not absolute requirements for admission, rather they are recommendations for developing a strong high school record. The Admission Committee is interested in your four-year high school record, with junior and senior year results being especially important.</p>
<p>To add to what I said before, I'd 110% make sure to take all 4 years of math. If your school offers AP Statistics (mine doesn't), take that.</p>
<p>Not even quality of college wise, I'd take all 4 years. I really dislike math, but I know it's necessary to enhance all aspects of learning.</p>
<p>If you're worried about the stress, take the easier math, but I would never drop it altogether.</p>