<p>So I'm interested in majoring in Business (Economics/Marketing/Communications?). </p>
<p>However, I'm not exactly the strongest in math. I've taken Calc AB as a junior, and screwed up pretty badly 2nd semester (C. Bleghhhh! But B+ 1st semester). I'm considering not taking BC and doing Statistics instead (far easier, in terms of material). Is this advisable? Or should I stick with BC? Is math all that correlated with Business? </p>
<p>BTW, I'm class of 2011, and the rest of my grades are A-range. Possibly looking at higher-tier schools (Penn -- ridiculously hard, but I'll give it a shot, UC Berkeley, etc)</p>
<p>Accounting is a proper noun, and if you are to post here you should capitalize it. According to taxguy, Accounting is harder than Physics. So your introductory Accounting classes will be like taking a Calc-Based Physics class, only harder. No matter your concentration, Accounting will be an important class for you.</p>
<p>There is almost no serious math in most business classes. </p>
<p>Look at the schools you want to attend and see if they require Calculus I and II for business majors or for that matter, everyone. If they do, then Calc BC makes sense. Top schools(business or otherwise) will probably prefer someone who takes BC over AB assuming the same grade…that’s just common sense.</p>
<p>I would suggest you take AP stat. Lower division statistics will be a requirement for any business program, so is 1st semester calc (AB), usually. We’ve been looking at programs for our S, and so far, I haven’t come across any that would ask for 2nd semester calc. You might want to have a look at the requirements for programs you’re considering.</p>
<p>I had to take Calculus 1 and 2 (could choose either math major or engineering major tracks) and both lower and upper division statistics classes as part of the business core curriculum for any major in the business school. Less than half of the kids who sign up for the first calculus get credit for it each semester and the average grade is curved to 2.0 (horrible for your GPA) in the second one here. Needless to say, I would recommend you take BC in case you end up at a university where you need calc 2.</p>
<p>My school has upper division statistics and if you transfer in with statistics credit you have to take an exam to avoid having to take our class. I think the idea is to prevent people from taking some kind of stats class in community college and avoiding the GPA hit from Stats at the university. I dunno how AP credit works for us.</p>
<p>Why did you earn a C in introductory calculus second semester? You likely need to address this problem before moving on to any other math classes. I don’t know how your high school organizes its advanced placement math courses, but Calculus BC is merely Calculus AB with trickier integrations, more applications of integration, and series. Taking Calculus BC next year may be the boost you need to solidify your introductory calculus skills (basic differentiation and integration) and move on to more challenging topics in math. </p>
<p>And I wouldn’t be thinking of your math courses in terms of your prospective college major at this point as a rising high school senior. The majority of business school require at least introductory calculus and statistics. Instead, I’d think about how you can sharpen your quantitative skills and learn the material better for the future.</p>
<p>I totally disagree. There are plenty of majors where you don’t need to know calculus at all. I haven’t had calculus in FOREVER and it hasn’t been a problem in any business class. I did Calc BC…all it got me out of was Calculus for Dummies that business majors have to take. There are other reasons to take Calc BC(if he goes to a school which does require Calc I and II or if he wants to strengthen his chance for admissions to a good school), but “sharpening quantitative skills” or whatever is NOT a good reason, particularly if its likely he’ll end up with another C. </p>
<p>Get the bare minimum on the Calc AB test for credit and move on with your life.</p>
<p>After reviewing the course requirements for my S, I must say that I agree with Jon. You should review the course requirements at your target colleges. It is a good idea to take statistics though. </p>
<p>Most schools require a statistics course for b-students. Calc BC is not really needed in most undergrad business programs. Math is definitely incorporated into business but more so in actuarial sciences, statistics, and finance. As an economics, marketing, and comm major, you probably wouldn’t need to take BC.</p>
<p>For the BBA degree, a 1st semester Calculus course and 2 semesters of Stat are needed.</p>
<p>For the more quantitative BSBA degree, 2 semesters of Calculus and some advanced Stat courses are needed.</p>
<p>I don’t know about BC reviewing, refining skills, or adding onto AB material. If you are going for the BBA, I would advise taking Stat if BC does not review AB and instead advances on to more difficult concepts. </p>
<p>Check the academic bulletins/course offerings and tracks of the schools you are interested in. If you think BC is necessary to stay competitive for admissions, maybe review over the summer or get free tutoring through NHS.</p>