I’m facing a bit of a dilemma as to which math I should take next year. I’m in my junior year, and currently in AB Calc. I’ve always been good at math, and I’m currently doing well in the class (I have an A- average). I also have a 34 on my math ACT section. However, even though I am good at math, I really, really don’t like it at all, and I’m particularly not enjoying calculus compared to other maths such as trig and geometry. I’m looking to major in film in college, not anything math or science related. But, I am looking to apply to some really selective schools. So my issue is whether to take BC Calc or AP Stats next year. Stats just seems a lot more interesting and less intensive (not to be confused with easy!) than BC, which is important to me considering math is not my primary subject that I focus on; I don’t want to have to put so much effort into a class where I don’t care about the subject being taught. But, it seems to me like the most selective colleges would prefer to see BC if I take AB my junior year. So does it ultimately matter if I’m not planning on taking a math or science related major in college? Or would sucking it up and taking BC be my best bet?
Calculus BC will look more rigorous than statistics to an admission reader.
Statistics will be more useful for general knowledge if you do not have any need to take math beyond calculus 1 (= calculus AB). However, if you want to take more in-depth or advanced statistics (which may be useful if you decide to major in a social studies subject), be aware that these courses typically have calculus 2 or 3 as a prerequisite.
If you aren’t going into STEM, you should take the course you are more interested in. You should do that anyway, not just so you can get into the best college. FWIW, my D took AP Stats last year and ending up loving it. She is now doing AP econ, and likes it. She has realized she finds applied maths interesting. You have already done calc, take a class you are actually interested in, for your sanity, if nothing else. And also, any AP is a good thing. No college is going to think it’s detrimental to take AP stats, unless you are applying to super STEM oriented schools to study STEM.
If you decide on a major that requires Calculus then it is easier to take it in high school where it’s stretched out over a whole year (instead of one semester). You can also retake it in college for an easy ‘A’ which are hard to come by in college.
While BC calc is considered more ‘rigorous’ than AP stats, since you already took AB and did well as a jr., you don’t necessarily have to take BC as a sr to impress colleges. Many kids won’t even have AB, they will just have regular calc, so you are ahead of them. Your strong math ACT score and the fact that you are not planning on engineering or a math major, makes AP stats a good choice for you and it shouldn’t harm your application.
“Stats just seems a lot more interesting and less intensive (not to be confused with easy!) than BC, which is important to me considering math is not my primary subject that I focus on; I don’t want to have to put so much effort into a class where I don’t care about the subject being taught.”
In that case, it is an easy decision - take the Stats course.
Check with the schools you are interested in. As a FYE at Purdue my D13 discovered they did not offer credit for AP stats. She was already taking the course but chose not to take the test and concentrated on her Physics C exam to her benefit. Taking the course did help her when taking stats at Purdue. To the contrary D16 will be an exercise physiology major. She is taking Calc B/C because it’s the only AP Calc course they offer. She is not taking AP stats because she didn’t want two math courses her senior year. If she had the option she would likely take Calc A/B and AP Stats because most of the schools would accept the credit for her major.
You should take AP Stats but make sure the rest of your senior schedule is rigorous (AP Lit, Gov/Econ, language, history, etc.).