I’m a junior, and I’m planning my schedule for next year and I’m planning to take 5 APs. I want to major in journalism/broadcast journalism in college. This year I took Algebra 2, so next year I’m taking pre-calc, but I also have an interest in AP stats but don’t have room for both. I’ve already decided I want to take pre-calc just to have it in case I want to change my major for some reason or if colleges want to see it, but I could also take pre-calc over the summer and then take AP stats next year like I wanted. I know AP Stats doesn’t need pre-calc, but I still want to be able to have taken it. I don’t have to take AP Stats, I could still find another AP to take. Some of my friends say taking pre-calc over the summer would show colleges I take initiative, but I’m still not sure if it would affect me that much. Is it worth it to take pre-calc over the summer so I can go into AP stats? Or should I just take a different AP?
I was literally in the exact same boat as you last year.
I ended up taking AP Stats my senior year without taking pre-cal at all. Most summer pre-cal courses are extremely rigorous, my friend took it and he actually failed it. So he wasted most of his summer working really hard just to fail anyways.
If I were you, I would just sign up for AP Stats senior year and relax this summer, maybe get a summer internship at your local press. I am a senior right now and I am taking 5 APs including AP stats, I haven’t been denied admission to any college so far. Trust me there is no need to take pre-cal now unless you are about to go into STEM.
Good luck and do what ever you feel is best for you, but that is my advice.
Thanks so much for the feedback!! I was definitely thinking about how much I’d probably dread doing math my whole summer haha. I’ll probably end up taking AP stats next year! 
Glad I helped. Let me know if you have any other questions.
One thing you might want to talk to your guidance counselor about is taking stats as your only math senior year. In some high schools it is considered a math elective but does not count as one of the 4 math classes needed for high school graduation. Your guidance counselor can also let you know if it matters to the colleges you may be applying to. Math over the summer is pretty intensive but some people love math and don’t mind it at all.
For journalism, I would not take a summer math class. Take pre-calc this year and AP Stats next year (of course check with your GC)
Thanks for the feedback!! As far as I know AP stats does count for my math requirements, but I’m meeting with my guidance counselor soon and I’m going to ask her to be sure:)