<p>I got a B in my math class last semester, and I am afraid that I will get a B this semester too. However, I enjoy math very much, and I am planning to take AP Calculus AB this year. The thing is, this particular course at my school is incredibly hard. If you can pass this class, you are pretty guaranteed a 5, and many people who don't even pass it get a good score on the AP test too. To put it in perspective, my friend who is planning to be a math major got a 79 in the class. However, I have heard many positives about the teacher and many have found it to be fulfilling. In contrast, the Calculus honors class is a joke. It's pretty much a standard class with a honors label on it, and many people get 99-100s. </p>
<p>I don't think it would make that much of a difference in my weighted GPA, but in light of my current grades, do you guys think I need to drop Calculus AP in order to save my GPA?</p>
<p>What schools are you aiming for? You want avoid Cs/Ds, especially if you generally get As, but if the class is really great, then take it. Your GC can write in his/her report about this class’s reputation so colleges will have a better perspective.</p>
<p>I’m aiming for top schools, hence why I’m so worried about my grades. I think I could get a good recommendation from the teacher (and maybe the only good one from my math/science teachers), but I don’t know if my GC will be able to put it into perspective correctly.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the person who is going to be a math major got accepted into Emory. He had some other things I don’t though.</p>
<p>If you’re aiming for top schools, you should have at least AB done by graduation imo.</p>
<p>I can take it senior year, but it would only leave me with skipping a year of math or having one less AP credit.</p>
<p>Imo, if you can get a B then go ahead. If not, take Honors. Colleges do not know exactly the difference between honors and AP. They see a C/D anywhere on your transcript, that’s not good. I did the same thing you did except I was even worse in my math classes, getting Cs not Bs. I stuck it out, ended up with a D second semester of junior year. It screwed me over a little bit.</p>
<p>Calculus is really not that bad. It just requires thorough understanding of the topics so that you know what to do under certain situations.</p>
<p>I didn’t know that there couldn’t be differing levels of hardness for Calculus classes.</p>
<p>I don’t see how AB Calculus can be difficult class;</p>
<p>That’s great for you, but your aptitude at math is not helping me here.</p>
<p>Do you believe you can get a B in this class?</p>
<p>Yes, if I put in the effort.</p>
<p>Then if your willing to put in the effort, go ahead and take it. If you think you’d rather or not or can’t handle it, taking honors is not the end of the world.</p>
<p>I know you’re asking about how this will affect college admissions decisions.</p>
<p>But try to think about which course will be more helpful once you’re IN college. Do you plan to continue taking math in college (e.g. in engineering studies)? If so, you’ll need a solid foundation.</p>