To Drop Calculus BC?

Applying to College
1

<p>OK. I’m doing related rates homework right now and hating life. </p>

<p>This is my current schedule:</p>

<li>AP English Literature</li>
<li>AP Calculus BC</li>
<li>AP US Government</li>
<li>AP Environmental Science</li>
<li>ASB (Student Government)</li>
</ol>

<p>My schedule is really good so far, except that I just can’t stand Calculus. In fact, I’ve taken these math courses in high school: Honors Algebra II, Honors PreCalc, AP Calc AB - and got B’s in all of them. I have straight A’s in all other classes.
Still, I got a 5 on the Calc AB test, and 720s on both Math IIC and the regular SAT math.</p>

<p>Will switching to AP Stats make it look like my course rigor is lacking? One upside is that I will almost definitely get an A in AP Stats - meaning straight As for the first time ever in high school - and I will have less homework (meaning more time to apply myself to ASB and applications).</p>

<p>Suggestions?</p>

2

<p>Hmmm, are you planning on majoring in anything math or science related?</p>

3

<p>No! Pre-law stuff/business</p>

4

<p>Though Calc BC is much more impressive on a transcript, I’d advise switching to Stats. Calc BC is not worth that much torture.</p>

5

<p>Hm…</p>

<p>Is a B in Calc BC more impressive than an A in AP Stats? Probably, huh…</p>

6

<p>if feel you that bc calc is not what you enjoy then of course you take stat instead. i made the same choice and my college chances haven’t changed. unless you plan in majoring in a non-statistical oriented math then you should be fine</p>

7

<p>Ah, OK that’s basically what I was wondering. I just didn’t want to switch out if it lowered my chances. Now I’m going to try!!</p>

<p>I am applying to Penn (Wharton) which says Calculus is very important. But hey, I already got a 5 in Calc AB, so that’s good right?</p>

8

<p>if you are applying to Wharton, Calculus is expected, particularly if your school offers it. Yes, a 5 on any AP course is great. BUT, many kids take AB/BC in the same academic year, so the AB course is slower-paced than is offered at many other schools. (Our school only offers BC, for example.)</p>

<p>Business also requires Calculus even if you don’t attend Wharton. How many sciences have you taken? (I recommend dropping Enviro before calc.)</p>

9

<p>Nah I’m not dropping Enviro. There’s no reason to drop Enviro - I’m not just looking to drop one class, it’s Calculus specifically that’s bugging me. I would be replacing it with AP Statistics.</p>

<p>I’ve taken Honors Biology, AP Biology, and AP Physics C</p>

10

<p>After discussing the issue with my best friend - who is now at Harvard and never took Calculus at all, btw - I will drop and take AP Statistics.
It is not the best choice when it comes to college admissions I know. But if I’m going to be real with myself, I need to do what is right for me, not college. I really doubt that it’s that big of a blow to my “course rigor”, and besides I wouldn’t mind taking Calc again in college.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone for their input.</p>