I’m in somewhat of a predicament as to what to do for math next year.
The standard advanced math curriculum is to take Algebra II freshman year, Precalculus sophomore year, AP Calc AB junior year, and AP Calc BC (covers “C” material not included in Calc AB as well as a bunch of multivariable stuff) senior year.
There is no course past AP Calc BC. However, my school does offer AP Stats, AP Computer Science, and Advanced Topics in Computer Science (course after APCS where you’re free to independently work on projects).
About three kids each year are double-advanced in math. They take Precalculus freshman year, AP Calc AB sophomore year, and AP Calc BC junior year. Senior year they are generally a “Peer Tutor” for Calc BC, where they sit in the back of the classroom, do teacher assistant work, act as a substitute teacher whenever necessary, and are expected to work through some advanced math on their own.
I entered high school in the standard advanced math track. However, I got extremely bored my sophomore year in Precalculus and decided to self-study Calc AB as a challenge. I got a 5, so I’m now in double-advanced track, taking Calc BC as a junior. I have not yet taken AP Stats.
Fairly soon, I will have to choose my courses for next year, and I’m not sure which math course to choose. Here are my options:
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Be a Peer Tutor. This allows me to study advanced math (probably proof-based calculus) in preparation for college.
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Take AP Stats. This would show that I’m taking a “real” course, easing concerns about it looking like I don’t have a fourth year of math. However, this is known as an easy class at my school, and according to teachers, your general math skills are likely to slip if you take just this class.
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Take AP Stats and be a Peer Tutor. This would mean not taking Advanced Topics in Computer Science, which I was really hoping to take.
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Take AP Stats and do a semester each of Peer Tutor and Advanced Topics in Computer Science. I’m not sure if I would be able to cover all the advanced computer science or math topics I’d want to if I went this route.
Community college courses are not an option. The way my high school schedule works, it is impossible to work in a community college course.
Regardless of whether or not I took AP Stats in high school, I would take a calculus-based stats course in college.
My dream school is UChicago or Princeton. I plan to major in physics and do research in biophysics, hopefully eventually getting a PhD. I have a 4.0 GPA, will have taken over 12 AP classes by the time I graduate, and am ranked first in my class.
What would be the best course of action for me, given the pros and cons of each and my future goals?
I’m asking here because the counselor is fairly new and doesn’t have very many students in my situation.
Thanks so much if you took the time to read all of that. I would appreciate and value any input.