Skipping AP Calc BC

<p>It took AP Calc AB as a sophomore last year. I am planning on skipping AP Calc BC this summer so that I will be taking a different math course next year, but I'm not sure if there are implications in terms of college admissions. Are there any negative things resulting from this? Do colleges want to see Calc BC on a transcript? If so, does taking the AP exam for BC compensate for that?</p>

<p>No, they want to see you taking and enjoying advanced classes.</p>

<p>So it's fine to skip?</p>

<p>i dont think it matters, most likely the other math course you're referring to must be AP Stats. its still an AP course.</p>

<p>Yes, it's perfectly fine.</p>

<p>Well, I'd most likely be taking multivariable if i skipped.</p>

<p>...correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Cal 2 (Cal BC) an integral component of Multivariable? </p>

<p>It's been over a year since I've taken Calc BC, but doesn't BC include Integration, Basic Vector Calculus, and other concepts needed to succeed in multivariable?</p>

<p>I think multivariable calc is the standard second year of college while AP Calc AB and BC make up the first three semesters? (I'm humanities, so don't take my word for it)</p>

<p>it would look very very good if you still took the Calc BC test (and skipped the class), seriously.
i strongly advise you to do that.</p>

<p>in the eye of an admissions officer it's like "this kid really wants to learn math"
which is exactly what they like</p>

<p>OK. Thanks. I was thinking of doing that anyway.</p>

<p>Yes take the BC AP but don't bother taking the class. Adcoms will be impressed that you took MVC. One bit of advice (coming from a math major): take AP Stats if you have the chance. If you end up going to a top college, you will probably have to retake whatever linear algebra, abstract algebra, etc. you might manage to take senior year, so taking these courses in high school doesn't really serve a purpose. That's not to say that you shouldn't learn the material outside of class, but don't waste a course on it.</p>

<p>well it might also depend on the quality of the stats course. I know for most schools that class is extremely easy (well stats in general is pretty easy and sort of useless). I have the choice of taking stats next year, but instead I'm choosing to take 2 400-level math courses</p>

<p>Stats is really easy, but it's very useful. My point is that the opportunity cost of taking it in high school is lower than the opportunity cost of taking it in college (where much more attractive courses are available to you).</p>

<p>^not THAT easy. and I agree, it's useful especially for science related fields. Nice use of econ terminology! ^_^
Though in certain conditions, you might have to retake stats anyway regardless of your ap score, which should be a piece of cake!
AP Stats I goes more in depth than a usual one semester introductory stats class. (without calculus)</p>

<p>Well, I think I'm going to successfully skip it now. Previously, my schedule indicated that a teacher was going to teach Multivariable Calculus. However, now, I have been informed that it will likely to be an independent study class, meaning just some supervision, and not really teaching.</p>

<p>My problem is that I don't know who to ask for a math recommendation letter. I had the same math teacher for freshman and sophomore years who has now left the school because of Marine duties, and now, I will likely have no teacher junior year math class.</p>

<p>How will I get a math recommendation letter for college? Is a math league advisor acceptable?</p>

<p>the math league advisor is fine. But honestly, the fact that you are taking multivariable in junior year (instead of senior year when many people take it), shows that you are motivated to learn math in itself.</p>

<p>I agree with what some other people have suggested: skip the class, take the BC test, and enroll in multivariable.</p>

<p>The largest problem for me is the rec letter part. Are you sure that math league advisor counts as teacher in the eyes of the admissions people?</p>

<p>I just looked at some webpages of universities, and the common app, and they all say that the teacher has to have taught me in an "academic subject." In fact, on the common app, academic is bolded. I don't believe the math league advisor qualifies under this title?</p>

<p>Perhaps you could look to a physics teacher or another teacher that taught you in a class that involves math...</p>

<p>But if math is my strongest subject (with physics second), would there be any disadvantages?</p>