AP Calc VS. German - Fight!

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>Despite the playful title I actually am in quite a pickle. I just received my schedule, and my final year of German was not on there. So, I contacted my guidance counselor and I was told that there was only one block of AP Calc (No distinction between AB and BC is made) and only one block of German IV; conveniently, they are the exact same block. So, my dilemma is which one to choose.</p>

<p>Normally, I wouldn’t posit this question on CC, due to what the response would most likely be. However, there are some additional circumstances which make the decision a little less clear. First and foremost, my current first choice college has an alternative curriculum, so I would not receive credit for taking the AP course. That of course mostly derails the question of college credit. Second, German is a blast of a class, the teacher is wonderful, and honestly I like it more. And that’s essentially what it boils down to.</p>

<p>In order to help in your suggestions I have made a list of Pros and Cons (or at least the ones I could think of).</p>

<p>AP Calc PROS:</p>

<p>-Learn Calculus (I’ve always wanted to, I find math fascinating)
-Most friends are taking it (I know, but this list should include everything)
-Teacher is also great (I have heard nothing but good things about him, and I might join Scholar’s Bowl next year because of him)
-Potential college credit if first choice institution doesn’t work out
-Rigor of curriculum goes up</p>

<p>German IV PROS:</p>

<p>-Highest level of German offered
-Teacher is great (I know this from experience, endless font of wisdom)
-Four years of language (admittedly two different languages, I took Spanish 9th - 10th and then German 10th - 11th)
-Stories (Teacher tells us myths originating from ancient folklore, German and otherwise)
-Laid back class (Easygoing, no strain to prepare for an AP exam)</p>

<hr>

<p>AP Calc CONS:</p>

<p>-Hard (I love math, but I’ve never been very motivated to lay down the groundwork. I pretty much just go on my innate ability to do math for most courses.)
-AP Test (Preparation, I know that I can opt out…but I should do it whole hog)
-Probably never going to use Calculus again (I know that career paths can change, but right now I am firmly oriented in the direction of the social sciences, admittedly I could see myself pursuing Math as a second major…so…yeah)
-Rigor of curriculum might be too much (I’ll also be taking AP Chem, AP Gov, AP World, Maybe AP Lit/Lang)
-Have to sacrifice language in order to take</p>

<p>German IV CONS:</p>

<p>-Have to sacrifice AP Calc in order to take (More important than the flip side)
-Awkwardness (Just catching crap from people about copping out and all that. Of course, I’m probably going to catch the same type of thing about my “non-top 50 college” first choice…)</p>

<hr>

<p>Thanks again for your help!</p>

2

<p>You can always take calculus in college if you decide to do something math related. If you continue on the social sciences path, a foreign language would be more useful.</p>

3

<p>Alright, thanks for the advice. Are you sure that for college applications they won’t mind that I didn’t take a math course my Senior year? Or should I look into taking a math course regardless of what it is? I could take AP Stat, or just regular Calc.</p>

4

<p>If you’re planning on going into Social Sciences, German would be the obvious choice if you’re seriously devoted to that sector of education. However, have you considered the possibility of taking German IV as an independent study and AP Calculus during regular hours?</p>

5

<p>If you’re worried about what colleges will think about your choice, know that you can always explain course conflicts in a separate section for that sort of thing. And it’s likely that they won’t look down on you for taking German over calculus (unless it’s Caltech or MIT or something). The language APs are much more impressive for a non-native speaker than calculus is, imo.</p>

6

<p>Check the requirements at the colleges you’re interested in, but many require three years of the same language.</p>

7

<p>Oh, it matters if it is the same language? And if I had to choose a replacement math class, should I choose Calculus (Non - AP) or AP Stat? Or go the Community College route?</p>

8

<p>You can try and take AP Calculus online and tell colleges you are doing so.</p>

9

<p>About colleges wanting foreign language:</p>

<p>99.999% Require - two years of same language in high school but you would be required to take two years of college language.</p>

<p>Most Recommend - three years of the same language in high school and you would be exempt from taking college language.</p>

<p>You won’t like this but here’s my two cents. You need both. Most important would be to take the third year of Spanish (yes, you’ll need to review over the summer). Taking Span III should allow you to take the AP Calc. Face it, colleges like to see four years of math on apps. no matter your major. Taking calc, AP calc, stat or any other math should be fine. Check your picks’ math requirements and prerequisits. They may also require you to take a math SAT II for placement and to prove you don’t need a remedial freshman math.</p>

<p>Remember, you don’t want it to come down to you and another applicant with a more impressive transcript.</p>

10

<p>Lankzt isn’t your first choice St. John’s C?</p>

11

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<p>Currently, yes. But my concern is mainly for other colleges if FA doesn’t go through.</p>

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<p>So would the option of taking a third year of German and then taking Calculus at the local CC or University be a bad option?</p>

12

<p>Sorry, I’m confused. You took two languages soph year? In one place you say you want to take German IV but you’ve only taken two years of German? Whatever. Bottom line, get those three years of one foreign language if you’re looking at Social Sciences.</p>

<p>You may or may not get into your choice college so having those extra AP points for rank might start looking pretty good. Go with the AP Stat but check if it’s one semester or two. Mine was one semester and was one of the easiest classes I’ve ever taken. This should set you fine if you need to take a SAT II Math test.</p>

13

<p>Yeah, I took both Spanish and German Sophomore year. I would have continued it but there was a conflict with English and Spanish this year. I jumped into German II, I skipped German I, hence why I am now able to take German IV.</p>

<p>And would AP Stat still be worth it if it’s two semesters? Because I am 99% sure that it is. Also, would the AP class matter as much due to the fact that my school does not weight grades and does not rank?</p>

14

<p>Bump…</p>