My DS's high school offers both AP Calculus AB and BC. DS will definitely take one or the other next year as a Senior but is wrestling with the pro's and con's of each. DS likes math and wants to ultimately pursue engineering, but also has an one last opportunity to be the lead in the school musical in addition to varsity athletics. Word on the street is that BC is significantly more time consuming than AB and might make some other activities more difficult. Any experience as to the value of one over the other? Does USCGA consider both "AP Calculus" with little distinction between the two, or would they negatively view a student not taking the hardest math available?
AP Calculus AB or BC
- Thread starter dadof5
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As someone who took AB and is currently taking BC, I can say that AB definitely gave me a really strong foundation in Calculus. The kids in my BC class that did not take AB definitely struggle more than anyone who already took AB. This is not to say that it is impossible to go straight into BC, AB just gives a little more time to perfect some skills before moving on unlike BC that goes from one topic to the next fairly quickly.
THmom
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Personally, I’d encourage the more well-rounded, happy, likely-to-get-an-A route.
. I’d think either AB or BC is going to be good. AND, with the “spare” time, put it into studying for the ACT/SAT.I would say BC is looked at with much more weight. It encompasses all of AB and a couple more subjects in the same time frame. After the BC test, you even get an AB Subscore meaning it almost counts as two AP tests. If you are looking for a good challange, then BC could be your route, but with a busy schedule and not previously taking a calculus class AB may be a better choice.
DS' school will not schedule BC unless AB is taken and passed. Recommend AP Calc AB without a second thought. Congrats to your boy on the lead in the school musical!
BC is more difficult because you go through more topics at a faster rate (it encompasses calc 1,2,3 while AB is just 1&2). However, if you do well enough on AP tests or validation tests (if your son makes it to USNA), he can validate through Calc 2 if he takes BC vs. just Calc 1 if he just takes AB. The future trajectory is enough for certain people to push themselves to take BC.
davejean90
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In reference to admissions, the difference between taking AB or BC is very small. Take AB, be in the school play, play sports, and maybe have a little fun. If DS's GPA is 3.5 or above and ACT/SAT scores are above the 75th percentile he should be competitive.
Haveaniceday
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AP Calc AB is equivalent to 1st semester college calc and AP Calc BC is equivalent to 1st and 2nd semester college calc, so the pace is approximately twice as fast in Calc BC. I would consider the math score on any prior ACT/SAT tests as a indicator of probable success in AP calc, the higher score the better and could be a data point in your decision. Also, how were his test grades in prior high school math, not counting homework points, extra credit and so on, as these are notorious for high school grade inflation, compared to test scores that measure knowledge?
At our high school you take one or the other, however at some schools they require you take AB one year and BC the next. It varies.
Admissions at all colleges will value Calc BC much more than Calc AB, because so many less kids challenge themselves with BC and having earned an A in both semesters of Calc BC and a 5 on the AP exam is a clear verified indicator of a students readiness for college math intensive majors such as engineering.
An "A"grade in Calc AB will probably be more highly valued than a "C" grade in Calc BC. Best advice, ask his last math teacher what they recommend, they just spent a year with him and should have a good idea of his probability of success in Calculus.
Another consideration is since he is a senior, most colleges will not see the grades he obtains senior year until after he is admitted, however they may see the first semester grade and it could become important especially if he is wait-listed and they ask for first semester senior year grades. So, his first semester grade will not be a factor if you apply early admission since it has not been given yet, but could become a benefit/concern if he applies regular decision or is wait-listed from EA. The AP test given in mid-May will almost certainly have no impact on admissions decisions as it is too late in the cycle for consideration, but could at some colleges give him credit. At USCGA they note the AP score, but give their own math test during SWAB summer to determine placement.
At most colleges of the 3-semester engineering Calc sequence, Calc 2 is considered the most difficult class. So exposure to some Calc 2 topics in High school Calc BC could be helpful.
Whatever you decide, the absence of any Calculus on a transcript will almost always be a negative for a STEM college, so he should take one of the two calc classes. A good knowledge of Calc also helps a lot in college physics.
My understanding is Calc and Chem are two of the most challenging 4/c classes at the academy and can even result in summer school (missing afloat training) significantly impacting their schedule and in most cases dragging down their GPA in other courses as well. For that reason, I cannot overemphasize the importance of encouraging HS students interested in STEM or an academy to take at least AP Calc, AP Chem and AP Physics as the rigor in those classes will greatly benefit their first year of college. In a perfect world, he would take the 3 APs and reguardless of the grade, the experience of taking them will help him in college; however, if he bombs the grades since we are talking about the warped world of college admissions, the low grades even in challenging courses may be held against him and he may be penalized for challenging himself.
Lastly, however busy he may think he is now, it will not come close to the demands of a military academy. That said, don't forget to balance being a kid and the mental health concerns of over scheduling young minds with academics.
Sorry for the long post, lots to consider.
Good Luck!
At our high school you take one or the other, however at some schools they require you take AB one year and BC the next. It varies.
Admissions at all colleges will value Calc BC much more than Calc AB, because so many less kids challenge themselves with BC and having earned an A in both semesters of Calc BC and a 5 on the AP exam is a clear verified indicator of a students readiness for college math intensive majors such as engineering.
An "A"grade in Calc AB will probably be more highly valued than a "C" grade in Calc BC. Best advice, ask his last math teacher what they recommend, they just spent a year with him and should have a good idea of his probability of success in Calculus.
Another consideration is since he is a senior, most colleges will not see the grades he obtains senior year until after he is admitted, however they may see the first semester grade and it could become important especially if he is wait-listed and they ask for first semester senior year grades. So, his first semester grade will not be a factor if you apply early admission since it has not been given yet, but could become a benefit/concern if he applies regular decision or is wait-listed from EA. The AP test given in mid-May will almost certainly have no impact on admissions decisions as it is too late in the cycle for consideration, but could at some colleges give him credit. At USCGA they note the AP score, but give their own math test during SWAB summer to determine placement.
At most colleges of the 3-semester engineering Calc sequence, Calc 2 is considered the most difficult class. So exposure to some Calc 2 topics in High school Calc BC could be helpful.
Whatever you decide, the absence of any Calculus on a transcript will almost always be a negative for a STEM college, so he should take one of the two calc classes. A good knowledge of Calc also helps a lot in college physics.
My understanding is Calc and Chem are two of the most challenging 4/c classes at the academy and can even result in summer school (missing afloat training) significantly impacting their schedule and in most cases dragging down their GPA in other courses as well. For that reason, I cannot overemphasize the importance of encouraging HS students interested in STEM or an academy to take at least AP Calc, AP Chem and AP Physics as the rigor in those classes will greatly benefit their first year of college. In a perfect world, he would take the 3 APs and reguardless of the grade, the experience of taking them will help him in college; however, if he bombs the grades since we are talking about the warped world of college admissions, the low grades even in challenging courses may be held against him and he may be penalized for challenging himself.
Lastly, however busy he may think he is now, it will not come close to the demands of a military academy. That said, don't forget to balance being a kid and the mental health concerns of over scheduling young minds with academics.
Sorry for the long post, lots to consider.
Good Luck!
davejean90
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The point is that this decision will have little to no effect when it comes to admission. There is not much you can do to radically change the GPA after Junior year. Work on what you can change. That would be pursue leadership positions in clubs and on sports teams, work to do better on the fitness test, and if you don't have a 1600/36 on the SAT/ACT then look for a prep course or do some self study. Take a few AP courses, but do not go crazy trying to impress with how many AP courses you have. Some high schools just don't even have BC Calculus because they do not have a qualified teacher.
mamabear2023
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If you called USCGA, the admissions counselors might suggest taking the harder one, as they like to see students challenging themselves. (That's what my DS hear about senior year classes) Still, here's one data point: My DS is quite good at math, and went directly to BC his junior year from pre-calc as a sophomore. But if he had to do it again, he'd take AB first, not only because BC was something of a struggle, but also because AB would have given him more of a foundation in a subject he needs as a future engineer. He felt the kids who'd taken AB first, even though they weren't the stereotypical "best math kids," had an easier time of it. Your DS might talk with both the AB and BC teachers and see what they recommend for him.
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My DS took AP calc AB in his senior year and was accepted to USCGA. You just need to take a calc class and do well so you are ready for your 4C year at the academy. Taking calc is a must!
At my school, and most other schools I would assume, Calc AB is a prerequisite for Calc BC. Calc BC is much harder, I am currently taking it, and there's no way I could pass without knowledge from Calc AB. The topics build off of each other, It would be like taking Algebra II before Algebra I.
I think it really depends on the school. My school last year forced me to take AB first because their particular curriculum cut out some Calc 1 topics from BC. My school this year (different school) does not do this and encompasses all of Calc 1 and 2 in BC. I noticed that it started exactly where my AB class started last year.
My son who has taken both can't imagine taking BC without first taking AB. This is from someone with a 35 on the ACT in Math and a 750 on the SAT in math. Take AB. Then if you are fortunate enough to gain admission into the academy take Calc I.