Dilemma [Stats vs. Calc BC]

blinkangel44 · 06-18-2008, 08:30 PM

My guidance counselor just e-mailed me this afternoon to tell me that there is a scheduling problem. He told me that my two options are to either take band for one semester or to choose a difference science course.

Next year's schedule [Senior Year]:
AP Lit
AP Spanish Lang
AP Psych
APES
AP Calc BC
Band

I'm avoiding AP Physics, because I'm not anticipating a science major in college. Environmental science is something that I am genuinely interested in. Also, AP Psych is the best course at my school. The teacher for it is a genius and very prestigious... he even wrote an AP prep book for the course.

So those are my two APs that many regard as fluff it seems.
I'm taking Calc BC because my precalc teacher wants me to... but I am very interested in Stats [I can envision myself majoring in anthropology, sociology, or economics, so I think that this would be useful].

I responded to my GC asking how my schedule would look if I took AP Stats instead of Calc.

And I really don't want to give up band at the end of senior year.

How do colleges view this? I'm a straight-A student [like 99% of CC...] and I don't want them to think that I am slacking. I want to apply to Brown, Amherst College, and BC at least. All extremely competitive schools.

How is AP Stats viewed?

johnshade · 06-18-2008, 08:35 PM

If you're going to major in economics take calc first then take statistics when you get to college. In fact, in any of the fields you're thinking of, if you want to have a good understanding of the stats you'll use, you'll need a firm grounding in calculus.

blinkangel44 · 06-18-2008, 08:46 PM

This is so aggravating. I really can't give up band or APES

vader1990 · 06-18-2008, 09:00 PM

Sorry to burst your bubble but AP Psych is like a joke class, you don't NEED the teacher at all, if you can read any book--text or prep you'll get a 5

Well, Ivy Leagues--go with Calc BC. Also AP Physics C isn't too bad. Look into AP Physics B (its algebra based, a lot more chapters to cover, but relatively easier material)

In the end do what you want, not what others think Brown will like...its your life, and you should follow your heart

[/cheese]

blinkangel44 · 06-18-2008, 09:07 PM

Thanks for all the responses

Just how bad does AP Stats look compared to AP Calc BC?
Would I have any chance to justify my actions... on an application or something? [I don't think I want to write an entire essay on it...]

I've almost given up on doing what I want [but I really want to take Psych and APES!] ...I'm relying on college to pursue truest passions.

vader1990 · 06-18-2008, 09:17 PM

Calc BC is def. more rigorous than stats, so it does look better there's no question about that.....but AP Stats is stil la very respectable course, so you should be fine

It def. WILL NOT hurt you, they won't think you're slacking, but if you apply for Econ or Business then your chances will be lowered significantly.

you probably WILL loose a little bit of competitiveness, but a solid SAT, SATII'S, AP, gpa, etc. will get you in regardless

Good Luck!!!

blinkangel44 · 06-18-2008, 09:31 PM

Thank you so much vader1990

I know that when I apply for college, I'm definitely going to be undecided... so I won't worry about that aspect (...yet)

I think that SAT scores are gonna be a make or break for me... 8 more days!
I've got a great GPA, and "competitive" SAT II scores [790 USH and 750 Math 2 (but from being on CC so much I feel that this 750 is a failure!)].

Thanks again for the responses. My GC's e-mail really just came as a surprise for me.

vader1990 · 06-18-2008, 09:37 PM

Hey, I also got a 750 on MATH II on SAT II's and I got accepted to the #1 Biomedical Engineering Program in the country--Johns Hopkins BME, so don't say a 750 is bad. A 750 is just fine. You'll be fine. Good Luck!

blinkangel44 · 06-18-2008, 09:43 PM

That's the first time I've heard such a thing on CC... so thank you!!

heyyou · 06-19-2008, 02:05 AM

do calc bc. stat is a nothing class. if you really wanted to take the ap exam, it'd be pretty easy to self-study stat.

and i agree with johnshade, in that i think it'll be easier to understand a lot of the graphical aspects of normal curve, etc, with a good calculus background.

in the long run, a strong fundamental calculus course is a better foundation for a lot of college courses. especially since calc bc is usually 2 sems in college, whereas stat is only one at most colleges.

TheMathProf · 06-19-2008, 07:45 AM

You might be able to stay in Calc by moving to Calc AB (if your school offers it) and self-studying the BC difference, and that might fix your schedule.

A lot of "might"s there, but I agree that calculus is the better of the two classes to take at the HS level than stats is.

blinkangel44 · 06-19-2008, 09:05 AM

What a coincidence, MathProf... my GC just emailed me back and said AP Stats is only offered @ the same times as AP Spanish, so I was just thinking that maybe AB might be the solution. (and studying the BC difference, as you said) This might be a great solution, considering how the teacher that will be teaching BC next year for the first time isn't too well known for his effectiveness...