Do I Need Calculus? - Page 2

deenierah · 12-31-2007, 02:23 PM

i had this dilemma last year-- i am a theatre/humanities girl through and through. my choice was between a regular-level calc class (ie, not AP) or AP stats (no time for both)-- ultimately i chose stat, which i'm happy with. i'm also taking psych and bio, so stat is unbelievably useful for that. i was worried about schools not liking lack of calc (and foreign lang, for that matter), but i'm taking APs/honors this year, and i did fine early.

PsychedelicPsych · 12-31-2007, 04:19 PM

A-Card, I am in the top 1% of my class, not val or sal, but close to it. This is no small feat: I attend a large, rather competitive public school; and my Geometry grade freshman year wasn't ideal. While my stats are not as mind-blowing as many I've observed on CC, they are decently admirable.

Calculus is entirely ubiquitous on these boards. Every chances thread I've read includes Calc in the list of classes taken. I doubted that Calc was necessary for Ivy admittance, but many of you have suggested otherwise. I bet I'll end up taking it--I'm not too excited at the prospect, but I suppose I'll try.

cdawson · 12-31-2007, 05:06 PM

I think the admissions officers will appreciate the fact that you try and challenge yourself if you do choose to take a calculus class.

Calculus BC will move at a pace that's way faster than a pre-calculus class, so you might want to go with AB if you're not willing to spend the time. Of course, you could always start with BC and drop to AB.

Pulling off an A in Calculus BC will take some work, but it's not extremely difficult (although I was stressed a lot). It's relatively easy to get an A in Calculus AB.

For Ivy League entrances, I'd definitely recommend that you take a calculus course, even if you're going into humanities.

PsychedelicPsych · 01-01-2008, 10:52 AM

Happy New Year!

Yeah, Deenierah, I've always struggled when plotting my schedule--how do I balance things I love (music and humanities) with things I don't love, but need (science and math)? I've sacrificed many supplementary music and English courses to maintain the most difficult and well-balanced courseload available.

CDawson, Calc AB will be difficult enough for me. BC is for the elite of the elite math students at my school, a small minority of which I am not a member. I think my school does a poor job of preparing students for Calc in Pre-calc, as the drop-out rate for both is incredibly high. AB will suffice.

This issue will all be resolved tomorrow. In the meantime, any other advice on what I should do?

gnrfan · 01-01-2008, 11:53 AM

At least do AB. It's not very difficult, and I think it's sort of expected you take it. Ivies say they want to see a "most rigorous courseload."

demeter · 01-01-2008, 01:06 PM

For what it's worth, I attend Columbia, and I know someone who didn't take calculus at all in high school and took AP Stats instead. Like you, this person is more a humanities person.

I get the feeling that while calculus is generally expected, you can certainly bend the "rule" every once in awhile if you can justify it.

PsychedelicPsych · 01-01-2008, 01:55 PM

Thank you, Demeter. That answer was especially helpful to me, and something of an affirmation. I suspect that one variation from the rigor norm is permissible.

I'll take my counselor's advice. She knows my strengths and weaknesses well, and knows the classes' difficulties better than I. If she thinks I can handle the leg-up Calc may provide, I'll go for it.