<p>hi, i am currently a sophmore. i am in math analysis aka precalc this year. i am getting like a b-/c+, i don't enjoy math very much. should i take ap calc next year or my senior year? my highschool also offers stats. how immportant is taking it. i can either take stats next year and nothing senior year. i can take stats next yaer and calc senior year, or i can take calc next year and stats senior year. what do you advise? i am thinking about majoring in business, which i think needs calc, but not sure</p>
<p>It depends, do you want to take a harder class and risk a C (I'm in calc now, and it's not extremely difficult, but not easy either, but I was in the A range for pre-calc), or take an easier math class and get an A? It will mean more work and studying to raise your grade, but I would do it. Colleges look favorably upon you taking a class seen as a challenge to you, particularly an AP.</p>
<p>no. It sucks.</p>
<p>Are you getting a low grade in Precalc because you aren't trying or because this is simply your glass ceiling? If the former, I would highly advise taking Calculus next year. You're a sophomore. If you're applying to top colleges, it's hard to get away with basically quitting math after sophomore year (you'll only be taking Stat to fulfill math requirements, right? And it doesn't really fit into the 'ladder' of math)...</p>
<p>I would do stats and take the AP exam and leave calc alone. At my school, you do "business calc" which is supposed to be easier than calc.</p>
<p>Calc has a good many applications, some of them in business. It's definitely a valuable skill to have, and you'll probably end up taking it eventually one way or another.</p>
<p>I second that Calc isn't a cakewalk, though. I scraped A's and pulled a 5 on the AP test when I took Calc AB, but with considerable effort. Now I'm taking Calc BC, which is semiredundant, and I'm still not finding it easy.</p>
<p>If your school's Stats course isn't Calculus-based (my school's isn't; I believe most aren't), it'll probably be somewhat easier, but to an extent it depends on your preferences. Stats is more about memorizing formulas and understanding when to use them. Calc has its formulas too, but I'd say there's more of a focus on problem solving. Strong intuition really comes in handy on those Calc tests!</p>
<p>So like skp said, it really depends on how much you want to challenge yourself.</p>
<p>Yes. It will make your brain better.</p>
<p>One of the most important classes I believe, in terms of transcript rigor and intellectual benefit.</p>
<p>Take it, even if you hate it, at least you'll get it over with.</p>
<p>calc is fairly easy but if u r doin poorly in precal take ap stat or something</p>
<p>calculus is really a foundation for critical thinking and problem solving. stats is more an exercise in mundane formulaic applications.</p>
<p>that said, I love calculus as a class (taking BC as a senior right now) but that doesn't mean I'm a whiz at it. I'm always hovering around a 90%, but at least I got a 5 on my AB AP test last year :)</p>
<p>It's easy and boring. So... sure.</p>
<p>Taking calc will help when you're applying to college, especially if you want to go to business. Colleges want to see you that you have the analytical ability needed for business, and calculus is a good indicator of that.</p>
<p>On the flipside, though, it seems as if you do not enjoy math and your grades are mediocre in precalc. If you're willing to work hard in math, you should try and take calc. Colleges will see that you're taking a hard math class (calc) rather than taking the easier way out (stats).</p>
<p>For some math whizzes, calc can be easy, but I had many friends who really struggled with the class because of the math concepts and all. For me, I enjoyed both classes- though stats was the much easier course.</p>
<p>Do you have no other math options at your school or local community college?</p>
<p>Honestly, I would only suggest calc in high school for those who are truly passionate, or at least interested, in math. If you wish you were doing better in precalc and if you don't like math very much, the stress and rigor of calc will make junior year more work than it already is. According to my teacher, AP Calc is about three times as hard as most college calculus and one of the hardest AP tests out there. I, too, took precalc my sophomore year and had a steady B the whole year. Took Calc AB junior year and barely ended with a C. Not such a beaute on the transcript.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you have no other options, taking calc to follow precalc maybe be a smoother path than precalc-stats-calc. AP Stats is rigorous, but by no means as difficult as Calc, even AB, and it's in a completely different line of thinking and calculations than calculus is.</p>
<p>Most prestigious colleges look for some kind of Calculus on your transcript. If your school offers Honors Calc, I would suggest trying that out - I hear it's not too bad. (I took AP and loved it, but I'm a math person)</p>
<p>take it! it's awesome =]</p>