Ok, so I’m headed into my senior year of high school. I am planning on applying to some prestigious universities for next year. So far in high school, I have taken multiple AP courses and got good results in them, however I have a question about AP stats. Apparently, the AP Stats teacher at my school is crazy and the highest mark she has even given is a 92. All the students who get 98/99s in other math courses can only manage a 88-90 in her class. These students are able to get a 5 on the AP exam though. On the other hand, the normal data class at my school is extremely easy, and most (smart) students are able to get a 98 or higher. Which data should I take, AP Stats or just normal data? If I take AP Stats, I’ll probably get around a 90 with a 5 on the AP exam, and if I take normal Data, I’ll probably get something around 97 or higher. Thanks for reading.
Is your goal learning?
Partly, but for me right now, getting into the universities I want is more important.
What is your end goal? Do you want to go to college to major in English? Then I’d recommend the easier class. Are you going to college for STEM? Then I’d recommend the harder class. Stats are so extremely important in the sciences that you really should get as strong of a foundation as possible. Even if you don’t get a 5 on the AP exam and have to take stats in college, you’ll be way ahead of the majority of the class who hasn’t seen a “college level” stats class.
Also, a point of advice - don’t look at college at the end goal. College is just the beginning.
You are talking about maybe a .5 difference for a grade in one course? That will not make or break your chances of admittance to an elite school which is as much luck as merit.
I was always told at college tours with my daughters that a slightly lower grade for a tougher class is most always better regarded than a higher grade in an easier course.
TBH don’t shy away from rigor. I’d take the AP class. You’ll be fine. Don’t gauge your performance by what others say about a teacher or about the class. Every student is different. This is the advice that I give my own kids. Trust yourself.
Most colleges will weigh the AP class, and all will prefer a more rigorous courseload.
Thanks everyone for responding. I plan on studying business (finance). I do want to take the AP class, but I’m just worried that a 7-8 percent drop in my mark will affect my chances at some of the univerisites I want to attend. (At my school, our system works so our overall GPA is out of 100).
bump
Ask your GC to go over your school profile page with you. They send it to each college with your transcript. There might be a special notation for this class. And if a lot of the B students are getting 5’s, your college will understand the situation.
OP, as I stated before, please don’t worry about this. Rigor means more in admissions than you may think.
“Partly, but for me right now, getting into the universities I want is more important.”
Did this sentence make anyone else really, really sad?
^ This
anyone else?
Sounds like an awesomely jaw-dropping challenge.
Don’t take AP Stats
Then be the student who gets a 93.
Thanks everyone
There’s another angle I forgot to mention. Im going to have around 8 swim meets and since AP stats is in period 5, im going to miss 6 AP Stats classes (swimming is very important to me).