Which Looks Better--Calc, Stats, or Computer Science?

OperaDad
Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:06:48 +0000

scrabbler42:

plans to take AP Calc AB and BC in 11th and 12 grades



No! No! No!

Taking both Calc AB and BC is redundant (BC covers AB). If she is advanced enough to take Calc in 11th grade, then take Calc BC. Figure out something else for 12th grade, like AP Stats or AP Computer Science. Or, take the next calc class at a local community college.

If she wants to go to a highly competitive school, she will be disadvantaged by not taking AP Sciences. Schools want to see that the kid is taking the most challenging classes they can. Many schools you have to take the Honors Bio/Chem/Phys class before you can take the AP Bio/Chem/Phys. Given that you should have 4 science classes by the time you graduate, at least one of them should be at the AP level.

If there is no other math class available (AP Calc BC in 11th Grade), she might be able to convince the admissions office that AP Phys was the best she could do.

Even if she doesn’t care about sciences in college, many liberal arts colleges require at least one lab course for graduation. She might as well get prepared for that class.