AP Stats & AP Chemistry or Calc II and III at Bucknell University

Pre-College Topics High School Cafe
1

I have already taken AP Calc BC (90%), AP Biology (92%), and Chemistry Honors (90%).

Schedule A:

AP Stats
AP Physics 1
Independent Study in AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Chem
AP Economics
Spanish IV
English 12

Elective // Elective

Schedule B:

AP Physics 1
Independent Study in AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Economics
Calc II // Calc III – Bucknell University
Spanish IV
English 12
Elective // Elective

Elective // Elective

I could either take Schedule A or Schedule B.
Other things you should know:
Although I have a 90% in Calc BC right now, I enjoy the concepts of math, and seek to become an aerospace engineer. I have also not had any prior statistics experience and my chemistry teacher recommended me for AP Chem. Which schedule would provide a smoother transition to college and which schedule would stand out to colleges more?

What do you guys think?

2

Hmm, so which colleges are you thinking of applying too? Personally they’re both good schedules. AP Chem and AP Stats shows more balance. However, Calc II and III are also impressive. Is there a chance you could do Calc II as an elective spot for one semester? I think I would choose AP Chem and AP stats because, you already have AP Calc BC, and chem and stats are great classes. You can take more math in college.

3

AP stats is a “light” AP for students who can’t/won’t take Calc. While it can be taken in addition to calculus, going from Calc BC to stats does not look good (essentially, it looks like you decided to take it easy, and/or don’t really like math, and/or didn’t have the initiative to look for a higher math class when you had the ability and opportunity to take it - all being negative strikes against you). In addition, Bucknell is a highly prestigious university with a strong science program, so taking classes there would definitely underscore that you like math and are really good at it. (Do check whether there’s a contingency for you if the pace is too fast or you need to “drop down”, so that there’s nothing negative on your transcript if you try and it doesn’t work out). In any case it’d be a definitely stronger schedule than schedule A.

4

southernbelle16,

I am thinking of applying to Cornell, CMU, UMich, RPI, Case Western, and Penn State. For the heck of it, I’ll apply to MIT and Upenn. (ACT Composite: 33) ^:)^

5

I agree with @MYOS1634 on the Stats part… is there anyway you could take AP Chem and Calc II ?

6

I could take just one semester of Calc at Bucknell (Calc II) along with AP Chem. Then I will still have a study hall at the end of the year to study for my AP exams… Do you guys think that’s a good plan?

7

I think that its perfect. I believe if you have 1 Chem and 1 math is shows more balance. Plus, taking Calc II is already impressive enough without Calc III :slight_smile:

8

Actually, most seniors don’t even take their AP exams (or only those for classes they won’t retake in college). Taking Calc I and AP Chem (and having a study hall 2nd semester) would be okay, or you could take a “fun” class for that study hall period (like ceramics).