Should I take AP Calculus BC or community college Calculus I&II for college applications?

[McWonald]

As a sophomore, I am deciding whether to jump into AP CALC BC or the college credit plus program; CALC I&II. Now this summer, I am taking honors pre-CALC at the same community college so I hope I will be prepared. Should I take the AP class because it looks good on an application or community college courses?!? (Also wondering if the new AP seminar and research are worth the degree)

 

[symbolipoint]

As a sophomore, I am deciding whether to jump into AP CALC BC or the college credit plus program; CALC I&II. Now this summer, I am taking honors pre-CALC at the same community college so I hope I will be prepared. Should I take the AP class because it looks good on an application or community college courses?!? (Also wondering if the new AP seminar and research are worth the degree)

More algebra, and at least one Trigonometry course, first. "AP" might or might not mean "Advanced Placement" where you are. I would say, do whichever course is more thorough, AS LONG AS your prerequisite knowledge is strong enough.

 

[vela]

Should I take the AP class because it looks good on an application or community college courses?

If you take the AP class, you'll have to take the AP test to get college credit. If you take the CC course, it should transfer. (Or is there something weird about the college credit plus program, whatever that is?)

 

[jtbell]

If you take the AP class, you'll have to take the AP test to get college credit.

And some colleges don't give credit for AP courses, or so I've heard.

 

[IGU]

As a sophomore, I am deciding whether to jump into AP CALC BC or the college credit plus program; CALC I&II. Now this summer, I am taking honors pre-CALC at the same community college so I hope I will be prepared. Should I take the AP class because it looks good on an application or community college courses?!? (Also wondering if the new AP seminar and research are worth the degree)

You don't make it clear what you're after. If you want to learn calculus well, neither will do the job alone. You'll have to do a bunch of study on your own to supplement what they teach you. Both the AP curriculum and community colleges tend to teach lots of technique and little theory, pretty much no proofs, so for a math major they aren't much good.

If you want college credit or placement (different things), it depends where you figure you'll go for your undergraduate degree. If it's a place like MIT or Caltech they'll just laugh at your CC class and tell you to take their real calculus class. Same for the AP class/test. However the AP class, if you get a 5 on the AP test, there is often a formal mechanism for getting placement or credit at many colleges. Check their web sites. For placement, many have tests you can take.

If you want your fellow students to be good, then a high school AP class often has better students than a CC class. That will be important for the level the class is taught at.

And, of course, your own situation may be different. Some CCs have better classes, or particularly good professors. Some high schools have awesome teachers who can help you go as far as you're willing to go. Research your local situation to see.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Check that the CC classes transfer, and then take them if they do.

 

[McWonald]

You don't make it clear what you're after. If you want to learn calculus well, neither will do the job alone. You'll have to do a bunch of study on your own to supplement what they teach you. Both the AP curriculum and community colleges tend to teach lots of technique and little theory, pretty much no proofs, so for a math major they aren't much good.

If you want college credit or placement (different things), it depends where you figure you'll go for your undergraduate degree. If it's a place like MIT or Caltech they'll just laugh at your CC class and tell you to take their real calculus class. Same for the AP class/test. However the AP class, if you get a 5 on the AP test, there is often a formal mechanism for getting placement or credit at many colleges. Check their web sites. For placement, many have tests you can take.

If you want your fellow students to be good, then a high school AP class often has better students than a CC class. That will be important for the level the class is taught at.

And, of course, your own situation may be different. Some CCs have better classes, or particularly good professors. Some high schools have awesome teachers who can help you go as far as you're willing to go. Research your local situation to see.

Thanks! I appreciate the help!