AP Statistics or calculus...

[Michelle in AL]

Which course is easier?
DD is getting a high 90 in Precal through Scholars Academy, but math just isn't her vent. I'll have to outsource either class as I don't feel comfortable teaching it.
Right now she wants to go into psychology or forensic science.
She's very science oriented. I'm leaning towards Stats.
Any opinions?

[periwinkle]

According to oldest ds's experience (he took both in his senior year), Statistics is definitely the easier AP course.

[Michelle in AL]

I wouldn't even have her attempt AP Cal. She'd probably take Calculus from Veritas Press' Online Academy.
I heard the AP stats test was do-able so we'll consider that.

[LynnG in Hawaii]

I think that, for most fields/professions, statistics is infinitely more useful than calculus.

The obvious exceptions would be somebody going into engineering, physics, and/or math.

Here's my confession: I took AP Calculus in high school, earned a "5" on the AP exam, and never, never, used calculus again. Ever.

I did get to college and have to take two semesters of statistics (I ended up as a business major). Boy, do I wish I had taken statistics in high school!

[Moira in MA]

Here's my confession: I took AP Calculus in high school, earned a "5" on the AP exam, and never, never, used calculus again. Ever.

I did get to college and have to take two semesters of statistics (I ended up as a business major). Boy, do I wish I had taken statistics in high school!

This is why dd1 is taking calculus rather than statistics. She is likely to need statistics at some point so will take it in college. She could almost certainly avoid calculus but it develops the brain in interesting ways.

~Moira

[StephanieZ]

But, many rigorous science programs require calculus, even if perhaps it won't be used in any other coursework. My undergrad degree in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (early 1990s, B. Sci -- the hardest science-y undergrad bio option at my big state univ. out of at least 6 or so options) required all 3 semesters of Calc. So did my brother's late 1980s B. Sci. in Information Systems (the hardest science-y business degree at his state univ. -- also one of several options) I know my dh took Calc for his general B. Sci. Biology pre-med type degree from a smaller private (high caliber) college.

My general impression is that most B. Sci. degrees would require Calc. B. Arts, maybe not.

So, if one is interested in science in college, I think expecting to take calculus at some point is pretty routine.

Also, if you are going to have to take Calc, I'd rather take it within 6 mos of finishing my most recent pre-calc course, not with an easy stats in between. . .

I've thought of having my dd take stats before calc since stats is so easy, but if I do, I'll have her take Stats after geometry and before "precalc" so she can go straight from precalc to calc.

Calc may not be that useful, but it is a weed out course at lots of schools. . .

Just something to remember.

(FWIW, I vote that Stats is MUCH easier. Also more useful. :)

[Michelle in AL]

Thanks all. Dd actually has 2 yrs left of HS, but only needs one more math course. I might have her take stats junior yr and calculus senior yr.

I'm not mathy at all, so I think I'm trying to avoid calculus. She could very well end up in a science major though, so I guess it's better safe than sorry.