How many ap classes is enough for Princeton?

AP Calculus or AP Statistics First?

• Hey Guys, Should I take AP Statistics or AP Calculus my junior year. I am ahead in math, so I finished pre-calculus my sophomore year. Now, I have a choice of either taking AP Stats junior year and Calc senior year or vice versa: Calc junior year and Stats senior year. As of now, I am leaning towards Stats first because my other class for my junior schedule consist of 4 other AP classes. I am not that good at math and I heard Stats is easier than Calc. So, Im leaning towards Stats so I have an easier time balancing my other classes. This way, I can still do AP Calculus my senior year when colleges only look at how difficult your classes are. So, my question is, AP Calc or Stats junior year. Do colleges care when I take Calculus, or will it look bad if i skip it for one year and take it senior year. I am looking at top notch schools like Duke, Princeton, Northwestern, etc. Do they want calculus finished before I apply, or just before high school ends. Thanks.

• Answer:

  Really, it depends. What are you planning to go into? What kind of extra curricular activities do you have? Also, when are you more likely to get an A in the class, and a higher score on the AP test? If you take a year off calc will you be able to get back into it? Stats are very different, and even though it might be math intensive, its more about using very specific rules and laws where in calculus they teach you tons of different things. So consider, even though your schedule is a bit tighter this year, AP Calc will be easier because its fresher, and once you start Senior year, it will be harder because you'll have to catch up a bit and you'll be fighting senioritis (trust me, you have to fight it, fight it and don't give in.) Anyway, good luck and just remember to consider the consequences either way.