<p>Hello,
I will be a senior next year, and have been thinking about which AP math course I should take. I am currently in pre-calculus and have straight As. However, I’m very scared that AP Calculus will be really hard. I plan on studying film and photography in college, and I will probably need some background in business as well. Would AP Stats be better to take? The thing is, I’m worried that AP Stats won’t look as rigorous on my transcript.
Thanks!</p>
<p>AP Calc definitely looks more rigorous, and it is. School to school it will vary but if you succeeded in pre-calc you’re ready for the course.</p>
<p>If you’re really on the edge I would go to the library, pick up the Princeton Review AP Calc, and breeze through it.</p>
<p>In hindsight AP Calc really is an intro course, there are only two major concepts covered and they’re easy with the right attitude 
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<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the response! I will definitely look at some AP Calc guides to see what it’s like.</p>
<p>AP Calc would be considered more rigorous, but if you are applying for film/photography programs, it may not make a huge difference. I’d talk to your guidance counselor and math teachers.</p>
<p>Look at Calc books and talk to your math teacher: are you reasonbaly sure you can get an A in Calc? Then take it. If not, take AP Stats. It’ll be more relevant to you in college and for an arts major it won’t make a difference.</p>
<p>Yes, AP Calc is more rigorous. However, AT Stats is probably more useful for most non-science/math/engineering or other math-heavy fields. If you are concerned about AP Calc, I would say to take AP Stats.</p>
<p>No point taking AP Calc if you will be pursuing a film/photography degree. AP Stats is more applicable to business, but even that is pushing its relevance. Worry more about what you would learn in each of these classes and how it would apply to your interests than how the course title will appeal to admissions officers. </p>
<p>AP Calc would definitely look more rigorous to colleges, but as someone prior mentioned, it doesn’t really pertain to your intended major. AP Stats would be beneficial if you are planning on someday owning a business. Take a look online at the curriculum or the textbooks given at your school, and see which one would be more suitable for you.</p>
<p>AP statistics is probably a lot more relevant for your future plans. In my opinion, the difference in rigor depends on your strengths. I found calculus to be rather easy (compared to what I had expected), while statistics was very tedious and time consuming (though still relatively easy). I certainly spent a lot more time doing statistics homework than calculus homework.</p>
<p>Thank you, everyone! This is really helpful.</p>