Would taking Calc III make up for having *Zero* AP classes?

[ProfuselyQuarky]

Hi PF! :')

Ultimately, I've taken zero AP classes in my entire time in high school and, at first, I didn't see this as a problem. But now there are a couple of people who've told me otherwise (in terms of getting into college for undergrad). SO, if I take calc III at my local community college next Spring, do you think that that would make up for my weak transcript? Would it show colleges that, hey, I'm not as lazy as my transcript implies?

 

[Mark44]

Hi PF! :')

Ultimately, I've taken zero AP classes in my entire time in high school and, at first, I didn't see this as a problem. But now there are a couple of people who've told me otherwise (in terms of getting into college for undergrad). SO, if I take calc III at my local community college next Spring, do you think that that would make up for my weak transcript? Would it show colleges that, hey, I'm not as lazy as my transcript implies?

Getting good grades in college classes would go a long way toward overcoming weak HS grades.

However, are you ready for Calc 3 in college? Your college will definitely have prerequisites for getting into this class.

 

[Bystander]

AP? A plus? Not really. Bragging/boasting, yes.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

Getting good grades in college classes would go a long way toward overcoming weak HS grades.

However, are you ready for Calc 3 in college? Your college will definitely have prerequisites for getting into this class.

Whew! Thanks for letting me know! And, yes, I've got the prereqs. I'm currently taking calc II at the same college, but only because I would've be extremely bored this fall without it.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

AP? A plus? Not really. Bragging/boasting, yes.

Mm AP doesn't stand for A plus.
https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-are-ap-classes-and-why-should-you-take-them

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

Wait, would schools still question why I didn't take any AP classes? Because, sure, I'm taking a lot of math, but there's a lack of advanced English, History, etc.,etc.

 

[Bystander]

Mm AP doesn't stand for A plus.

No, I meant, "That AP classes should not be regarded as a 'positive' asset." Status symbol, yes. Meaningful status symbol, no.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

No, I meant, "That AP classes should not be regarded as a 'positive' asset." Status symbol, yes. Meaningful status symbol, no.

ooh, sorry lol :") I've never heard anyone express that opinion, since AP class rigor > college prep class rigor, but that's very assuring, thank you.

 

[Bystander]

that's very assuring, thank you.

... used to mean something, but not a whole lot these days.

 

[Mark44]

Wait, would schools still question why I didn't take any AP classes?

I don't believe so. If your grades in the college classes are strong, I don't think anyone will care that you didn't take AP courses.

 

[symbolipoint]

No, I meant, "That AP classes should not be regarded as a 'positive' asset." Status symbol, yes. Meaningful status symbol, no.

Hi PF! :')

Ultimately, I've taken zero AP classes in my entire time in high school and, at first, I didn't see this as a problem. But now there are a couple of people who've told me otherwise (in terms of getting into college for undergrad). SO, if I take calc III at my local community college next Spring, do you think that that would make up for my weak transcript? Would it show colleges that, hey, I'm not as lazy as my transcript implies?

Start at the very beginning of the Calculus series (meaning, Calculus & Analytic Geometry 1), IF YOU ARE QUALIFIED. If you are not qualified, then start at something lower, like Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, or Trigonometry.

Don't try to fool yourself. AP Calculus is a very dubious status symbol. What is important is, what competence you have at any particular time.

 

[symbolipoint]

Just in case I misunderstood - Whatever sequence of Mathematics courses you go through during college or university, once you earn successful credit in Calculus 3, your high school A.P. Calculus credit is not important any more.

 

[jtbell]

once you earn successful credit in Calculus 3, your high school A.P. Calculus credit is not important any more.

Indeed, since neither AP Calculus AB nor BC include multivariable (vector) calculus, at least according to Wikipedia, I would argue that if you've completed college-level Calculus I and II successfully, AP Calculus is unnecessary.

 

[MidgetDwarf]

But in theory, the classes at the community college, would be taught by someone who at the bare minimum has a masters degree. You will be getting college credit, and you get an idea of what is somewhat like. You get to be that little kid in the math class, that everyone is marveled by lol.

 

[MidgetDwarf]

How about also taking the equivalent of AP English, and other general ed requirements, at the community college?

 

[symbolipoint]

But in theory, the classes at the community college, would be taught by someone who at the bare minimum has a masters degree. You will be getting college credit, and you get an idea of what is somewhat like. You get to be that little kid in the math class, that everyone is marveled by lol.

Not sure what that is. Community college instruction for Mathematics is good. At the college level, a student should want a teacher with at least Master's degree. These teachers can also teach the remedial math courses well, which is good because many c.c. students still need some of those courses.

How about also taking the equivalent of AP English, and other general ed requirements, at the community college?

This means that now that the student is a little older (or more) than when in high school, he/she/they can do better in these English courses than before. Having whatever A.P. courses in high school would still not have been a waste. It just means better possible preparation in case taking similar courses at the c.c.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

How about also taking the equivalent of AP English, and other general ed requirements, at the community college?

I never considered this, but that might be a good idea, since I have only a single strictly writing-based course next semester. Thanks.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

If your grades in the college classes are strong,

Hypothetically speaking, if I accidentally got a B in Calc II, would that count as being a "strong" grade?

Where would a B in Calc II be between the range of downright awful to superb, given that the rest of my application is pretty fine? If the admissions committee of a school was wavering between a rejection and an acceptance, would that B be a turning point to rejection? Or still look great? =_=

Just wondering as I just left an exam and currently feel awful :) Sorry. I'll probs come back to read this post and feel stupid for asking.

 

[symbolipoint]

You might accidentally get a B grade in Calculus II, but if it is not a true sign that you did as well as B should mean but that you did worse, then you would likely not be competent enough to succeed in Calculus III. How honest do you know how to be with yourself? If you can detect that you learned less well than the grade you were issued, then at least you have the chance to review what you had just finished studying in order to be ready for the next course.

 

[phinds]

Hey, quarky, you're back. Haven't seen you around in a while.

 

[Walker23]

What grade are you in-- are you a senior? U.S.?

I'm going to assume that you are in the U.S, applying to schools in the U.S., and your school offers AP courses and you decided not to take them-- no university will penalize you for not taking them if they weren't offered.

What types of colleges are you hoping to get into? I'll bet there are plenty that would give you a great education that aren't terribly selective, but for those that are very selective, they really want to see students taking a rigorous courseload each year. Calc III helps, but more so at some schools than others.

For schools you're interested in, search "[school name] common data set" (or CDS). Once you've found that, look for a chart that indicates which factors are most and least important for admission to that college. You can see how rigor of course load compares to all the other factors.

 

[gmax137]

For schools you're interested in, search "[school name] common data set" (or CDS).

I never saw those before. Not that I am applying anywhere (been out of school for decades) but it is interesting information. Thanks for that.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

Hey, quarky, you're back. Haven't seen you around in a while.

Heya phinds! Yes, I am

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

but for those that are very selective, they really want to see students taking a rigorous courseload each year.

And here lies the dilemma LOL

For schools you're interested in, search "[school name] common data set" (or CDS). Once you've found that, look for a chart that indicates which factors are most and least important for admission to that college. You can see how rigor of course load compares to all the other factors.

Whoa, okay that's really cool. thanks!