Will Dropping from BC to AB Calculus Really Hurt My Chances?

<p>Does it matter that I'm a senior? And that I'm interested in going into something science-related? And that I'm applying to U of Chicago, U of Michigan, Brown, Northwestern and Wash U.?</p>

<p>Any feedback? Anyone saying that I should stay and try to get a Bish?</p>

<p>I feel like after I finish all my college apps, I'll have more time to study and maybe bring my grade up, but when I am sitting at a D after 1/4 of the way through the semester, I doubt that I can still get an A. Maybe a really low A to mid- B. Still..GPA will drop =/</p>

<p>My Calc teacher wants me to stay. He said we will all run into challenges and fail tests, but that is a lesson we learn and then apply it so in the future, we can conquer through the struggles.
I guess he left out the fact that if I get a D, I'm not going to college. </p>

<p>Just some stats, I have a 3.92 GPA UW, 34 ACT, 35 on Math part. Never really struggled with math until BC. Kinda disappointed =/</p>

<p>Definitely drop it, you’d still be in AP and it’s possible to get into those schools even if you haven’t taken calc yet.</p>

<p>i literally just faced this exact same problem this past week…i’m in the exact same boat- i’ve always liked math and thought i would be able to handle it…but ultimately i decided it was better for my sanity and gpa to drop BC and go into AB…and honestly my first class in AB was such a big difference–it was so much less stressful and i’m deff happy with my decision. so i guess it’s up to you, but it looks better for you to have a better grade in AB then to be completely bombing BC
good luck!</p>

<p>Thank you guys so much for the advice!<br>
Yea, a number of my friends have also faced this problem and ended up dropping it, but I want to compete with those who didn’t drop it and excelled at it…hahaha.</p>

<p>At first when I bombed my first test, I began to think of Calc BC as a challenge and wanted to conquer it. Now…I’m beginning to kind of give up. It is pretty stressful. </p>

<p>Any other feedback? Maybe people who think I SHOULD stay in BC?</p>

<p>Thanks guys.</p>

<p>Getting a D in BC Calc will hurt your chances more than dropping from BC to AB.</p>

<p>ultimately it is up to you. BC and AB calc is basically the same course, just BC is at a faster pace and has a few more covered things. If you can pull up the BC grade then stick w/ it but otherwise drop to AB b/c that’ll hurt you less</p>

<p>I mean, my parents are considering getting me a tutor if I continue with BC, so with ridiculously hard amount of work and stress, I might be able to bump it up to a B by the end of the semester…</p>

<p>But its my senior year, and I really don’t want to work too hard =P even though if I get accepted into some of the top schools, I’ll be working even more ridiculously hard.</p>

<p>And AB and BC aren’t really the same thing…AB is only 1 semester of Calculus and BC is 2 semesters of college calculus. So if I took BC and get a 5, I probably won’t need to take another math class really in college. </p>

<p>And another thing is that if I stayed in BC, during 2nd semester, I’d have to take Biology AP online…which I am really unmotivated to do XD</p>

<p>I dunno…any other suggestions appreciated.</p>

<p>No college will reject / waitlist you simply because you didn’t take that additional AP course.</p>

<p>I don’t know what a “drop” will look like, but I will say my D’s college selections are close to yours, and her stats are close to yours. She’s good at math, just doesn’t LIKE it as much as other classes. She chose AB and it seems to be one of the easiest math classes she’s ever taken. It’s been a piece of cake and she has over 100%. Even though she’s slightly struggled with some previous classes. </p>

<p>As for AB/BC not really being the same thing…one being college level…I’m not sure who told you that, OR perhaps it’s different in your school. But my daughter’s school uses the EXACT same book for both classes. They are both AP classes…are yours? AB = 1/2 the book in two semesters. BC = full book in two semesters. Teachers says they just go slower (that way, not so much homework either!). Also, as for biology online…my D did health online to free up a class. We thought it would be a piece of cake but, like you, she must have been unmotivated and it took her FOREVER!</p>

<p>Hey thanks for the feedback.</p>

<p>“No college will reject / waitlist you simply because you didn’t take that additional AP course.”</p>

<p>Equilibrium, doesn’t that factor into your rigorous course load? I know that’s not the sole factor, but won’t it kinda hurt?</p>

<p>Oh and R124687, AP Calculus AB/BC work the same at my school. We have the same book too. I meant 1 semester as in 1 semester of college Calculus while Calculus BC is 2 semesters of college calculus. And yea, AB is a lot easier than BC.</p>

<p>As for her Health Class, I’m guessing it wasn’t an AP course? I feel like AP Biology would take a lot of motivation…and I’m actually not doing so hot in that class either. </p>

<p>I feel like my attention is now diverted in 3 directions. Its really sad, I barely have time for fun anymore since the beginning of the year. My friends are telling me to drop and stuff, but I just don’t have the time =( So Biology/Calculus BC/College Essaying basically dominates my life right now. </p>

<p>I am really leaning onto dropping down to AB tomorrow…time to beg my class principal.</p>

<p>Any other suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks again</p>

<p>No. Do not drop to AB. BC is a standard among humanities high school graduates.</p>

<p>Ehhh? What do you mean BC is a standard among “humanities” high school students?</p>

<p>Oh you’re going into science.
Multivariable/dif eq/linear alg would be a standard.
Too bad.</p>

<p>Don’t drop BC then. BC is a bare minimum for science related high school grads. A- or B+ will not do that much to your GPA.</p>

<p>You’ve gotten some great advice from people that know what they are talking about.</p>

<p>Drop the class. Not dropping it (by listening to advance lawlz) will end up hurting you more.</p>

<p>Honestly, how many times do you want us to tell you? Just drop it and move on.</p>

<p>AdamLaLa, thanks for pointing that out.</p>

<p>I just wanted to get as much of a perspective as possible. I’ve been bugging friends and counselors and teachers about it…hahaha.</p>

<p>And advancedlawlz, I hope you are kidding because most science degrees only require up to Calculus 2.</p>

<p>I think I’d rather get an A in AB than a B in BC.</p>

<p>Thanks again guys.</p>

<p>I’ve browsed countless college websites, and not a single one of them have explicitly stated that BC is a “bare minimum” for engineering majors. What about those kids who go to high schools that don’t offer BC, and who can’t enroll in nearby community colleges due to financial issues/other situations? </p>

<p>My 23-year-old cousin just graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor this past May with an engineering degree, which is a very respectable title from a very well respected school. Guess what his senior year math class was: AP Calc AB.</p>

<p>Thanks for that piece of info fledgling.</p>

<p>There’s people who get into top schools (such as yours) with NO Calculus, or no APs because there school didn’t offer them. Dropping to Calc AB (which is still a very advanced course) and doing well will certainly look better than just getting by in Calc BC. Plus, you’ll (hopefully) have a little more time to focus on other work, and not be so stressed out about math alone. </p>

<p>Good Luck with whatever you choose!</p>

<p>After a long day of going back and forth between my class principal and my counselor, I have finally been dropped to AB!!! YAHHH!!!</p>

<p>3 weeks after the deadline for change, but my counselor and principal pull it off.</p>

<p>I <3 my school.</p>

<p>Just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your advice.
A huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders.</p>

<p>=)</p>

<p>Just read through the thread and am happy you weren’t sidetracked by the single piece of bad advice. Rock the Calc AB exam and you’ll have a solid foundation to bring to the next level. Good luck!</p>