Switching from AP Calc AB to AP Stats 2nd semester? Good?

Applying to College
1

Okay, first off, I am into Engineering (and I love Calc based Physics) and I recognize AP Calc is definitely more important. The thing is, i hate pure Calculus. I could go into detail, but just know that I hate working with numbers without context as to what they have in real life applications.

I’m not trying to go to a prestigious uni, mainly for monetary reasons and somewhat academic. However, I’d much rather study Calc at a uni, mainly because it is a 1 semester course and I would love to get it out (I know about Calc 2, but after seeing my brother’s homework for it, it looks funner), but i was wondering if that would hurt my chances for an average/above average uni. Would switching to AP Stats look bad? Also, do you think I’ll be way too behind in AP Stats to take it next semester?

Side Note: I won’t take the AP exam for either because Stats is useless for the college and I don’t want to waste $90 for a course I want to take in post-sec.

2

Yes to both questions. Even “above average” universities (whatever that means) expect the applicant to take a rigorous courseload. Dropping calc for stats does not display rigor.

“Useless” might be too strong a word, but a college version would have more applications than AP Stats. However, if you feel that way, why are you even considering taking it?

3

Keep calculus and get a 5 on the AP test so that you are more likely to be able to move on.

4

You are most likely going to have to take a minimum of FOUR pure calculus classes in engineering (1 - 3 and DiffEq). Get over it.

5

Okay guys, @bodangles @ucbalumnus @skieurope thanks for you responses. I’ll stick with Calc. However I do have a question. Currently, I am taking AP micro and it’s 1 semester. Next semester, I’ll be in AP Political Systems. Since I am taking AP Calc, Physics C and both of those, would that total 4 APs? Or 3?

6

I counted 5 if you count Physics as 2 classes, 4, if you don’t. It’s 5 exams, though.
AP Calculus
AP Microeconomics
AP Govt & Politics
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

Regardless, I don’t recall a question that asks “How many AP classes are you taking/have you taken?”

7

Mech and E&M feels like one class for me. But wait, so my High School transcript will say:

Mechanics and then 2nd Semester E&M?

And it’s not about how many I have taken. It’s more of how my Transcript will look.

8

How it appears on your HS transcript is totally dependent upon the HS. I believe most will just list it as one class; if your course catalog listed it as “AP Physics C” it’s a good bet, that is what will appear on your transcript.