I’m a junior this year and I’m wrapping up my AP Statistics course, and I can say it is my favorite class I have ever taken. I’m interested in majoring in statistics in college. Does anybody know anything significant or important that a prospective undergrad might want to know about the stats program at Columbia? Thank you so much in advance!
The big issue with AP Stats is that it is not calculus based and is largely “plug and chug” - memorize which formula to use or table to look up and insert the data. The curriculum covers basic understanding of statistics with only a little of the underlying mathematical reasoning. At Columbia (and most colleges) AP Stats covers most, but not necessarily all, of what is required of “methods” for social science majors. For example, economics will require three semesters of calculus and calculus-based statistics before taking intro econometrics and linear algebra before advanced classes. So see how much you like higher level math (beyond calculus) before you decide.