<p>Independent Study Calculus BC - OR - Two Semesters of Calculus at a Community College? (during my Sophomore year of highschool)</p>
<p>Jakobsandberg: The fact alone that you’re taing calculus as a sophomore is fantastic and adcoms will look very highly upon this.</p>
<p>I would suggest choosing the option that leaves you the most time to work on EC’s that you love, or just to relax.</p>
<p>Best of luck! xx</p>
<p>Independent study, although it will be tougher.</p>
<p>I would suggest the community college, because you have teacher interaction as Calculus is a prenominently a hard subject to start off with. Unless you feel comfortable and that you are able to self-study and get the grades you are hoping for, if not take it in a community college.</p>
<p>^ True, but the OP asked which would look impressive.</p>
<p>You’re taking freaking Calc as a sophomore. Do whichever you feel more comfortable with, definitely.</p>
<p>If you independently study Calc BC, be sure to take some kind of formal calculus/higher-level math course at your school or a college after that (if you plan on studying those). I’m 2/3rds of the way through self-studying Calc BC, and I asked some admissions offices at highly selective universities about self-studying multivariable, etc.; they want to see a formal course in those subjects if you’re going to study them. Just a warning!</p>
<p>(As for me, I’m taking EPGY courses for multivariable and beyond, but also supplementing them with more rigorous textbooks. I can’t get into on-site college courses until I take the Calc BC exam since I haven’t taken an official calculus class, and my high school doesn’t have an independent study program, so this is pretty much the only option left.)</p>
<p>If I receive a 4 or a 5 on the AP Test for Calculus BC, it will grant me two semesters of calculus at my local community college, and matriculate me into Calculus 3 (multivariable) which I will take in my junior year. From there, I can take Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (post-calculus courses offered at my CC).</p>
<p>So Im going to use 2-3 calculus books to get a strong foundation of calculus, and then prove my competency of the subject through the AP exam and post-calculus courses offered at my local community college.</p>
<p>Self study, it shows confidence. It shows you can acheive your goals on your own. It would look impressive, especially if you’re aiming for a big school like Harvard, where (according to student reviews) you’re expected to take control of your own education. For example, actively seeking professors (if you’re in big classes like premed etc…)</p>