AP Calculus vs AP Stadistics

[wondermom]

My DD will decide for her next year Senior year to take any of this 2, she can't take both because already as other AP's she needs for her graduation plus College classes (dual enrollment).
She wants to major in Political Science related , so Liberal Arts ( not STEM), so for her career path AP Stadistics is the way to go, but she believes for the,Academy AP Calculus will be better.
Any advice?, somebody there who chose AP Stafistics instead of AP Calculus and get in the Academy?, will hurt her chances if she choose the one related to her careeer instead?, thanks.

 

[kittkatt]

Your DD has it right. From a substantive perspective, this does not strike me as a close call--go w/ AP Calc. Not only will it properly be deemed as a more rigorous course by the admissions office but it will better prepare her for plebe year (if she gets in and attends). Regardless of careers or majors, everyone at WP passes through Calc.

 

[tug_boat]

Calc.......

Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[lolo]

Has he taken regular calc yet?

My counselor told me that in her recommendation it asked "Has the student taken calculus or will be taking calculus next year?"

It's just a yes or no answer so my counselor said it was nice to be able to check yes there

 

[jl123]

My DD will decide for her next year Senior year to take any of this 2, she can't take both because already as other AP's she needs for her graduation plus College classes (dual enrollment).
She wants to major in Political Science related , so Liberal Arts ( not STEM), so for her career path AP Stadistics is the way to go, but she believes for the,Academy AP Calculus will be better.
Any advice?, somebody there who chose AP Stafistics instead of AP Calculus and get in the Academy?, will hurt her chances if she choose the one related to her careeer instead?, thanks.

She will be required to take both Statistics and Calculus, so either will prepare for a required course. But if she has not taken any other calculus course, then absolutely choose AP Calculus. It will better prepare her for the standard math program and Physics and be better viewed by admissions.

Many, if not most, who take the standard math sequence will have had some calculus, such as AP Calc AB. Those who did well in AP Calc BC and on the placement exams may qualify for Jedi math (advanced sequence).

 

[5Day]

Definitely take the calc!

 

[jagger19]

Stats is harder than Calc, and and Calc looks better, anyway. Do Calc.

 

[mom3boys]

Which class will she get an A in? My first cadet took AP stats and was a direct admit. My second cadet took AP calc and did a year at a civvie school and reapplied. (both made A's). Your admission is based on far more than one math class. You will be better prepared for WP w/ calc, as that's a plebe class.

 

[JWP]

One took ap calc and is in...the other took calc but not ap and is in and I had no input to both (quite happily so). It is about the candidates entire package. It is your dds journey, it is her choice to make.

 

[USAFA10s]

Take calc. Core calculus at USAFA is no joke while the core statistics for fuzzy majors comes both later in the cadet schedule (after they have had time to adjust to USAFA) and is generally considered and easier class.

 

[USAFA10s]

Edit: realized this is the USMA forum, but my advice likely still holds. Good luck!