<p>Hi! </p>
<p>So I am a student with a busy schedule. During sophomore year, I took AP Calc AB, AP Bio, and APUSH. I unfortunately received a B in AP Bio and APUSH. But second semester I had straight As. This year, my junior year, I want to retake AP Calc AB to increase my GPA. Right now, it is an overall 3.94 even with the two Bs. Is it even worth retaking the first semester of AP Calc AB so I can receive an A?
Will it improve my chances into getting an IVY? </p>
<p>I am involved in clubs, music, and debate, as well as a rigorous academic schedule.</p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Wasting a block (or two) of your junior year on improving a B would look more unintelligent to an admissions officer than the B’s you received. One (or two) B’s are not detrimental to your possible admission to ANY school. You should be more worried about your extra curriculars, upcoming grades in rigorous classes, and test score (AP, SAT, ACT, etc.)</p>
<p>It does not make sense. Why do it? I hope they do read the transcript carefully. Sound like a ■■■■■ post.</p>
<p>Oops, I meant I received a B in AP Calc AB not AP Bio! And thank you! That is the answer I needed.</p>
<p>Flat answer: no. You could get by with taking AP Calc BC since that includes Calc 2. But what did you get on the AP exam? Those show proficiency as well. If you got a 5 on AP Calc AB, then you shouldn’t worry.</p>
<p>I received a 4 on the AB test.
I was planning to take the BC calc test this year, though. I am planning to self study the BC part. I think I can do it because I already had a year of AP Calc AB.</p>
<p>Take Calc BC over AB. AB is simple compared to BC. AB is mostly differentiation and some integration. Differentiation is so simple that you can do it without understanding the principle. Integration is more of an art. You would have to self-learn integration by trig substitution, integration by partial fractions, and infinite series. Calc AB is highly self-study-able but Calc BC is not.</p>
<p>I really wanted to take AP Calc BC my sophomore year but could not because of scheduling):</p>
<p>I plan to take Stat first semester and then AP Stat second semester. But I feel behind in math if I don’t take ap stat this year. Should I just wait till senior year to take AP Statistics, and take AP Calc BC?</p>
<p>Here is my schedule currently:
AP English III
AP Physics C
Spanish II (took my language cred late)
Symphonic Orchestra
Statistics
AP Gov & Politics</p>
<p>I know it sound silly, but I feel “behind” if I don’t take AP Statistics this year. If I take stat senior year, when I apply for college, I have one less AP in my schedule because statistics is only AP second semester.</p>
<p>Also, is it a viable option if I just take reg statistics the first semester and then second semester take BC? I talked to my calc teacher and he said it would be okay if I just took BC second semester considering many students did that if they took AB in the previous year.</p>
<p>But you’d have AP Calc BC, right? If you get a 5 on the Calc BC exam, that usually exempts you out of Calc 1 and 2. AB only gets you out of Calc 1. Usually, people don’t need to take statistics in college for their major. Check on that so you don’t waste money on AP credit for nothing. But colleges would definitely like Calc BC over Stats. And it sounds like you’ll have Stats senior year anyway if you don’t take it this year. It may be advisable since Stats has no pre-requisites. On the other hand, if you take a year off from Calc, you may forget some of the basic cases of differentiation and integration.</p>
<p>Okay, then I think I will follow your advice! I see that you are Princeton '16. Congrats on getting in! Thanks for you help, ptontiger16!</p>
<p>Take BC. And then take college math courses in multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations if you can and you intend to major in something math-based (like math, statistics, computer science, engineering, physics, or economics).</p>
<p>AP statistics is equivalent to the least rigorous semester-long college statistics course for students with minimal math background. If you are as advanced in math as you are, you may find that a more rigorous college statistics course (calculus based) will be more interesting to you.</p>
<p>^And statistics to me was just memorization of a whole lot of formulas. It got real boring real fast. Calculus, on the other hand, was beautiful. You see how math falls together and works.</p>
<p>I intend to major in a hard science and be on the pre-med track. Would spending money on math classes be worth it if I know I will not be a math based-major?</p>
<p>Which science? All except the biology ones will likely require up to the sophomore level courses in multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Note that no specific major is required to take the pre-med courses.</p>
<p>Note that many medical schools require math and/or statistics courses in their pre-med requirements (they typically do not need to be any more advanced than freshman calculus, although more advanced courses are accepted). But some of those do not accept AP credit, so you may eventually need one or two college math and/or statistics courses (dual enrollment or college courses taken in high school do count). Be sure you get A grades in any dual enrollment or college courses you take in high school to avoid putting yourself in a GPA hole for medical school.</p>
<p>Biology, actually. And I know that many pre-med tracks require Calc 1(sometimes Calc 2) and statistics. I know for a fact I will not be a math-based major, I love math but I am passionate about bio! So is it worth it spending money on higher college math classes that I will not even need for my major or the pre-med requirement?</p>
<p>Perhaps biomedical engineering would be a good prospect for you, though it involves more math and physics. It offers a balanced lifestyle in case you don’t make it into med school.</p>
<p>Either way, pre-med requirements dictate Calc 1 and Calc 2 and some recommend statistics.</p>
<p>Oh, and I visited my school’s health professions advising site and they said explicitly that medical schools will accept AP credit in mathematics - though this is the only exception. So Calc BC is definitely what you want to do.</p>
<p>If you’re pre-med you will be taking calc and stats in college either way.</p>
<p>@ptontiger16, I really don’t think that’s accurate. Would be nice to see any evidence.</p>