How important is AP calculus in Junior year?

[collegealum314]

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In fact we were told at engineering tours that they preferred AP Calc as a senior. That way everything was fresh coming into college. They wanted everyone to learn calculus their way. Also taking AP Calc as a junior there are too many unknowns. Is that the highest math class they offer? Does the student have to go to the local CC or college? Does the student take ap statistics or does the school offer a ap calc ab or BC?

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<p>This is kind of silly, though I do agree that you shouldn’t take a year off from math. Most people take MVC or linear algebra at a community college.</p>

<p>If he’s not a STEM person, it doesn’t make a difference. </p>

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Not sure which “top” colleges you are thinking of, but in my son’s case, taking AP Calc as a junior (and getting a 5 on the exam) didn’t seem to help. He did not get accepted to MIT or Caltech. Then again, he is planning to major in engineering, not economics. So I’d say just have your son do what works best for his schedule and not worry about it.

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<p>It is so commonplace that it doesn’t help.</p>