<p>Here's my current dilemma. I'm trying to decide whether to take a fourth year of math in my senior year. My schedule is going to look like this:</p>
<p>Physics
AP English Literature
Journalism
AP Spanish 5
Civics & Economics
Peer Tutoring
Calculus AB AP OR World History AP</p>
<p>Math is not my strong subject. I would much, MUCH rather take World History AP since language and history are more suited to my talents. I don't necessary feel that I will do well in AP Calc. My school offers normal Calculus AB, but only one teacher teaches the class and I've had her - she's HORRIBLE. (And crazy, too. During a lockdown drill she informed us that if there ever really were a gunman on campus, "don't depend on me, 'cuz I'm out for myself, kids!") Even though I'm not great at math I work hard and maintain A's; however, sophomore year in her class I barely scraped B's because she couldn't teach but still gave extremely hard tests. Literally 2/30 people passed the final. Her comment? "Obviously, ya'll just didn't study hard enough."</p>
<p>So...how important is it to colleges to see that fourth year of math? I'd really rather go with World History AP, but my mother feels it's more important to be balanced. And if I do take the math, does it seem more recommendable to try the more difficult AP with a possible good teacher or the easier class with a confirmed bad teacher?</p>
<p>If you're unsure about what you want to study in college, or you're thinking about a science or engineering major, suck it up and take the math. If you think you want to study history or a social science, it's probably better to go for World History.</p>
<p>If you're going to take math, though, I would go for the more difficult AP with the good teacher. It can make a world of difference- trust me, I had an awful teacher for precalc and nearly wasn't recommended for Calculus AB, but the calculus teacher at my school is excellent, and I ended up with an A- in the class and a 5 on the exam.</p>
<p>Haha, I laughed out loud at the lockdown drill thing.</p>
<p>How difficult is Calc BC at your school? If it isn't impossibly hard, you could do that. But be careful there though, because it's a hard class even for math people. Can you take a calc class at a community college?</p>
<p>if your school allows it, you can take community college calculus over the summer and skip. </p>
<p>generally, selective colleges require 4 years of math, including calculus. depending on what schools you're applying to, you might be able to get away with 3.</p>
<p>Take the math. It'll prepare you for when you have to take it in college or you can get a 5 on the test and not have to take it in college. Especially if it's your weak point, take it now when it's a free class and easier than college. Even if you don't pass the AP test, you have the experience.</p>
<p>Take the math. Even if you are a fuzzy humanities major, the odds are that you'll still have to do calculus. The question is: Would you rather do it now or at college after having had a year to forget?</p>
<p>Trust me..I HATE HATE HATE math......but I ended up taking Calculus senior year..and it really isn't that bad..teacher's a ******** but let's not go there.</p>
<p>All colleges recommend a fourth year of math...and take it over history.</p>