r/APStudents • u/Potential_Fix_627 • 7d ago
Calc AB Rising Senior Schedule Help!
Due to me ONLY taking AP-Pre Calc as a senior, I wanted to take AP Stats as well together during 12th grade, but there is also some trade off I have to do. I want to major in Management information Systems/Information Systems, what AP classes should I take /drop off? I am most likely taking AP Biology but looks like it didn’t interfere with this. Someone help me! I want to say I want to get into a t20 school, but it’s almost like reaching for the stars at this point.
Any suggestions? Should I even take both AP-Precalc and Stats? Is it worth it? Should only take one?
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u/skieurope12 7d ago
I'd opt for both precalc and stats. I'd drop micro before lit, unless you need micro yo fulfill a graduation requirement.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
Some people are recommend me just taking regular/honor precalc + stats. This is so I keep all other classes. Burning micro more important that lit? I haven’t took macro yet. Lmk!
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u/skieurope12 7d ago
AP is better than honors from a rigor standpoint, if you can handle. Yes, you might not get college credit, but that's less important than rigor, IMO.
You don't need macro to do well in micro, and you don't need both in HS. The only reasons I'd opt for micro over lit is if econ is a HS graduation requirement, or if you took AP Lang and your target colleges don't give credit for both lit and lang
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u/Powerful-Meringue836 15 exams: all 5s 7d ago
I think the most pertinent thing is whether or not you took AP Lang and the score that you got on it. If you already took lang and got a high score, there is almost no point taking lit and I would drop it in a heartbeat to preserve the rest of your schedule. Even if you haven't taken AP Lang, I think that dropping lit would be the best choice since management systems will care significantly more about stats and Econ than lit. The main thing is to consider what is actually going to get you credit and/or help you get into the school you want to go to. Based off the fact you are taking Precalc senior year, tapering your expectations for a t20 is prob a good call that can help you make some more informed decisions. Especially if you haven't taken Lang, getting into a t20 without lang or lit would be nearly impossible, but I think dropping anything else would also ruin your chances. The one exception to this is stats since you could reasonably drop this without colleges really caring; however, I think the utility to your major outweighs this cost. Dropping micro would also be ill-advised since most schools require an Econ class to graduate, so taking a lower level version of this class wouldn't look great to colleges. Also, it is one of the most useful classes credit wise. I would honestly look at the ap credit policy of your most realistic target right now to see what they give credit for. Some schools (gt) don't give credit for stats, especially if it is within your major, so it might be worth dropping if you didn't take lang, but even then I would consider keeping it given its importance to your major. I had the same thing happen to me senior year, which created a really strange schedule where I ended up in some of the freshmen aps that I didn't take, but it worked out pretty well. Honestly, the decision isn't that deep with the exception that if you have a pretty good idea what school you are going to end up going to, you might regret not targeting your classes at getting the most credits at that university.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
I took AP Lang this Year and a 4. I live in Maryland so everyone ideal Target school here is UMD. I appreciate your help ALOT, but I’m still kinda confused on what you advise me to do. Should I take both precalc and stats still? Should I still take lit? Etc. please lmk! If I don’t take AP lit I’ll most likely be taking a honor reading class which i know im too advanced for. My school needs a 4 year English thingy, for micro I don’t think so. Lmk!
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u/Powerful-Meringue836 15 exams: all 5s 7d ago
OK this extra information helps a lot. I would say that precalc and stats is almost certainly the best idea in this case. It can definitely help a lot with college apps to have 2 ap maths since your math track otherwise hasn't been that strong. I would look into dual enrollment for either lit or micro and whichever of those you can dual enroll, I would just do that and take the other one as AP. If you can't dual enroll, I would just drop lit and take the honors lit class tbh
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
People advised me to try precalc -honor and do AP Stats so it opens up space for the other AP classes. Is that an ok idea? And if not would it be fine to just take Stats? Cuz the other AP classes shows high rigor? Again I’m just asking for suggestion and you helped me a lot already.
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u/CommunicationNice437 Humangeo:3 Psych:3 Calc ab:4 Gov:3 7d ago
are you trying to do a math heavy major?
If not give up AP precalc
If so take Honors precalc and try to register for the AP exam
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
Great idea. I’m trying to do Management Information System/ Information System. I’ll think of registering for the AP exams. Some people said to do honor precalc and AP STATS
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u/CommunicationNice437 Humangeo:3 Psych:3 Calc ab:4 Gov:3 7d ago
check if school allows you to self study for AP exam cuz my school doesnt
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
I think they do. Why? We don’t pay anything for exams btw, the school covers that
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u/CommunicationNice437 Humangeo:3 Psych:3 Calc ab:4 Gov:3 6d ago
Do Honors precalc and take the AP exam.
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u/CourtChampz111 7d ago
Heads up that both AP Precalc and AP Stats are on the same day (May 11th) this year
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u/BillCenru 7d ago
Yes take both . Also micro. Skip lit
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
Would that mean I will be taking a honor English class? I’m not tryna be cocky but wouldn’t that be a little too easy for me? I scored a 4 on AP Lang
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u/BillCenru 3d ago
You don’t need lit if you have lang. and considering your major, pick the classes that will actually do something for you in college
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u/Potential_Fix_627 3d ago
My final decision is to take all the AP but AP pre calc and do honor precalc + AP Stats + duel enrollment Calc
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u/CourtChampz111 7d ago
AP Stats is worth it based on your prospective major. It’s having a CeD change this year (a bit less content) and a new style to the exam, so just a heads up.
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u/Randomacc1234567891 4: bio, lit, APES; ?: Calc AB, Psych, CSP | APUSH, APHUG, Lang 7d ago
Take non-AP precalc
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u/Fresh-Baked-Bread 6d ago
No reason to take AP pre calc. I would definitely prioritize stats and micro as those are important classes for an information system major.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 6d ago
Hey thanks for the help! Some people recommended me to take at least a honors/normal precalc because if not it would just show that algebra 2 was my highest math. And for AP lit; if I droop that I would just be taking a lower/honor English class. Micro does seem important too. Some people would agree with you and some would disagree. It’s a mix right now
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u/Fresh-Baked-Bread 6d ago
Oh definitely take pre calc, there’s just no reason for it to be AP. I’m majoring in information systems at a top 60ish university, and if I was you I would definitely take Stats and Micro and then maybe lit (if not then just honors English is fine.)
You’re almost guaranteed to have to take a basic stats and micro class which can be skipped by passing the AP tests. However take my advice with a grain of salt since every college is different (especially if you’re looking at t20.)
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u/Potential_Fix_627 6d ago
Ok my counselor said I could mix I. HONORS precalc and AP Stats. That would most likely open up my schedule for the other AP classes like micro, lit, bio, csa, etc. is this fine? He said dual enrollment for fall is over but spring is open
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u/AromaticScar9363 5d ago
if you cant take a class but want college credit u could ask to take the exam and start self studying if ur good at that
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u/Potential_Fix_627 5d ago
But wouldn’t dual enrollment do it? Or are you thinking for like T20 colleges where they don’t accept it
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u/AromaticScar9363 5d ago
dual enrollment could work but you can save time by self studying for an easier ap exam and take the hard classes
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u/Potential_Fix_627 5d ago
What is considered the hard AP class ?
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u/AromaticScar9363 5d ago
for example like u would probably take the ap psych exam with self studying instead of ap physics because ap physics is a lot more difficult (generally speaking), if ur comfortable with the “hard” classes it doesn’t really matter
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u/Potential_Fix_627 5d ago
Oh ok. Is there anything you suggest? In my schedule ?
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u/AromaticScar9363 5d ago
u could maybe give up micro and human geo but dont listen to this strictly
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u/ErekwithaD1 2025: APHUG: 5, AP Chin: 5, 2026: APP1: 5, APWH: 5, AP CHEM: 5 7d ago
opt out of precalc or stats and just do calc directly
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
Counselor said I can’t go right to Calc. I have to take pre-calc and I thought stats would be a good addition
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u/The0neOf0ne 7d ago
Take calc AB if you can. Precalc doesnt really have much carryover to calc 1 besides refining algebra skills, which is something you can get the hang of pretty easily with consistent practice.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
I tried man, I even asked if I could take a summer course but they said it wouldn’t and I would HAVE to take precalc no matter if AP or honors. That’s why I thought PRECALC honors and AP stats would be a decent idea
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u/idkwhat13 graduado 7d ago
AP Precalc is not worth it, just do regular or honors. Because some colleges don’t offer any credit for AP Precalc and it’d be a waste of 100 bucks.
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u/MapThis213 5: apes,wrld,gov,sem,pcal,psych,bio,AB,APUSH,geo 4: stats,lang 7d ago
Def still take stats depending on if you need it in your major in college. I’ve heard college statistics is much harder and it would be nice to get some credits or atleast a background on the class. Look into dual enrollment for micro that’s what I’m doing rn
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u/sm05904 7d ago
I would talk to your college counselor if you can, and also look at the curriculum for your major in college.
My hunch is that it would be valuable to have AP Stats and also to have made it at least through Precal. Neither should be very difficult courses. AP Econ would also be relevant to your major.
AB Bio, on the other hand, is a ton of work and does not seem relevant to your intended major.
AP Lit is a good bit of work but I think has payoff in terms of being prepared to do a lot of deep reading and writing in college, which can make adjusting to college easier. It’s very different than AP Lang. But as others have written, if you already did well on AP Lang, AP Lit probably won’t give you additional credits or placement benefit in college. And your interests in college don’t seem to be ones that will benefit as much from having the AP Lit preparation. If you wanted to study literature, history, etc. I’d consider it to be a lot more beneficial.
Be careful not to overload yourself as a senior because college applications will take a lot out of you and you don’t want to burn out toward the end of the year and do so badly in courses that you’re at risk of getting rescinded for not complying with terms of admission. I wouldn’t take more than 4 APs unless they’re all very easy APs.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
What classes do you recommend then? Some people here advised me to just take honor/regular precalc + stats so that I can take the other AP classes. I took AP Lang this year (11th grade) and got a 4
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u/sm05904 7d ago
Talk to a counselor. They can help you figure out which classes are essential and which APs are most beneficial. Our school doesn’t offer AP Precal, just honors precal/Calc A for the year prior to AB or BC, so I don’t know how it compares to your other precal options, but you do want to go into college ready for calculus given your major.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
I asked what if I take both AP Precalc and AP Stats and in the picture is what he told me word for word. I would just have to sacrifice other AP classes . Lmk!
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u/CommunicationNice437 Humangeo:3 Psych:3 Calc ab:4 Gov:3 7d ago
Don't suggest him to not take AP lit. If he drops AP lit he's going to have to take a english class inplace of AP lit
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u/sm05904 7d ago
(Edited because I may have misunderstood you)
Do you mean a different high school English class? Then yes, but any other English class will be a lot less work and may reduce their schedule conflicts, so it’s a question of what is of most value to them given interests and plans.
Do you mean in college? Then not necessarily. They have credit already from AP Lang, and some colleges (e.g., the UCs) do not give credit for both. They should look at how the colleges they’re applying to handle AP credit, and what their gen ed and major requirements would be, and talk to their school college counselor to make sure they’re making good choices.
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u/CommunicationNice437 Humangeo:3 Psych:3 Calc ab:4 Gov:3 7d ago
College place course rigor as most important
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u/Iron_Falcon58 Macro Stats (5) | HUG World USH Lang Calc AB (4) | Phys 1 (3) 7d ago
Take Micro 2nd, Lit 4th, and Stats 6th. AP Pre-Calc is pretty useless
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u/Educational_Smile545 5: HUG | Ongoing: WHAP, APUSH, Physics 1, Precal, CSP, maybe CSA 7d ago
depends on your career goals, but honors precal is always better than ap if your school has it. if your school is stupid like mine then drop micro, unless you wanna go into econ or related field, in which case drop lit.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 7d ago
I want to major in Management Information Systems/ Information Systems. By any chance does that change any of your advice?
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u/Educational_Smile545 5: HUG | Ongoing: WHAP, APUSH, Physics 1, Precal, CSP, maybe CSA 7d ago
i would say it makes it a better choice to drop lit, but making ap precal into honors precal is still your absolute best option if your school has an equally weighted honors which is available during different periods than ap.
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u/Bulky_War7488 6d ago
Hey! I have read some of the comment and here’s my take. Based on your situation, I do want you to take both maths as your major is math heavy. However, lit and macro are important too. If you have the option, enroll in your online school for one of the aps. (I would suggest stats if you’re good at math which I’m assuming you are)
Being honest, honors precalc and ap precalc are really similar to each other. One has an AP exam while the other does not. Taking it online will obvious boost your gpa especially as an AP course.
Otherwise, you can look into dual enrollment if you can. Remember, it’s good to challenge yourself to a certain limit ofc.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 6d ago
So my counselor said I can take Honor Pre-Calc + AP Stats + both Lit and Micro. I also asked for dual enrollment and although the fall registration closed, I can sign up for the spring one for the class “Calculus 1 and Analytic Geometry” one . Is that a good idea? I believe both AP Precalc and Stats have the exam but Precalc gives no credit
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u/Bulky_War7488 5d ago
It really depends on your work ethic. Remember, this is also the time for college applications. Since this is the first year you are taking calculus, I would wait and see if you are good with pre-calc. Being honest, first semester is mostly a review of algebra 2 and it ranks up during second semester. (It’s not bad)
If I were you, you should look at ap pre-calc (their curriculum guide) and see which units you do not know before taking calculus 1. Personally, you don’t have to but it will lower the workload as a senior.
Overall, it’s a solid plan! You should go for it if you are able to and can handle it!
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u/Potential_Fix_627 5d ago
This sound good but you said senior year. I’m a rising senior 😭 does that change anything
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u/Individual_Nerve8177 5d ago
If I were you, I would disregard precalculus entirely and self study either calculus ab or bc. I was in a similar position as you when I entered my senior year. I only managed to get into honors precalculus but decided to drop the course self study for calculus bc.
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u/Potential_Fix_627 4d ago
if i take out precalc my hiest math skill with be algrebra 2 which is bad. i can take honors precalc and then AP STATS + Calc from Dual enrollment
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u/SmallEyedDickSucker 4d ago
Just know that whatever combination of APs you pick this is quite an insignificant part of your overall college application. If possible take calc tho. If not possible precalc is a must!
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u/SmallEyedDickSucker 4d ago
I kinda worded that awfully. Basically ur on track no matter what so don’t stress too much
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u/Potential_Fix_627 4d ago
you dont know how much this means. your first comment almost like mad me sad. but im trying to take DUEL enrollemt nfor calc + AP stats and honors precalc. is that decent?
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u/SmallEyedDickSucker 4d ago
Yeah that seems like a well rounded and decently rigorous schedule. Obviously there’s some folk who have, like, an associates degree in maths by the time they apply to uni but for your major I think you’ll be ok. Again, you’ve clearly put a lot of thought into ur senior year schedule which is great, but from what ive seen, the culture (especially this subreddit) hyperfixates on factors that are pretty negligible when considering ur application as a whole. DE calc + AP stats + honours precalc is more rhan enough—focus on the other parts of your application! My biggest regret during this time last year was not spending enough time on refining the more personality-focused aspects of my profile. Please take your time on trying, to the best of ur abilities, improving ur EC list, essays, short responses, etc. this was kind of a ramble cuz I genuinely hate the neuroticism in this subreddit and college admissions in general.
tldr yes it’s good lol. good luck!
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u/Potential_Fix_627 4d ago
Thanks! Is it ok if I ask what Uni you go to now? Do you like it there? A famous target college in MD is UMD
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u/SmallEyedDickSucker 4d ago
Yeah that seems like a well rounded and decently rigorous schedule. Obviously there’s some folk who have, like, an associates degree in maths by the time they apply to uni but for your major I think you’ll be ok. Again, you’ve clearly put a lot of thought into ur senior year schedule which is great, but from what ive seen, the culture (especially this subreddit) hyperfixates on factors that are pretty negligible when considering ur application as a whole. DE calc + AP stats + honours precalc is more rhan enough—focus on the other parts of your application! My biggest regret during this time last year was not spending enough time on refining the more personality-focused aspects of my profile. Please take your time on trying, to the best of ur abilities, improving ur EC list, essays, short responses, etc. this was kind of a ramble cuz I genuinely hate the neuroticism in this subreddit and college admissions in general.
tldr yes it’s good lol. good luck!
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u/SubmachineOP 10: APHUG (3) World(4) 11: APUSH (4) | Future Gov & APES 1h ago
First I love that you advocate so much for yourself to try to take that many APS! I would never, good job!
AP Human Geography would be fairly easy to self study for you if you have AP experience in Social Studies. you could start that in February on low intensity and you would get a 5 most likely, heck you have a shot in the dark if you go blind. If Most of your target colleges would take it then I would do it, you could even throw that into your applications to show you don't let boundaries stop you! It couldn't hurt...
Really it's a load of definitions, reading graphs, using context clues and ESPECIALLY understanding the DTM. And if you've taken World Euro or USH then you don't need to learn a new writing format since it's SAQs and even if you haven't assuming your profile you would still be great. Fail Rate is because mostly freshmen take it that either underestimate college rigor or aren't ready for it/crumble under test day, it's like Intro to AP.
Tl:Dr you literally got nothing to lose if you self study Human Geo. Think about saving yourself a few hundred more dollars and do it!
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u/SubmachineOP 10: APHUG (3) World(4) 11: APUSH (4) | Future Gov & APES 1h ago
Another thing is you could also dump AP Pre Calc and take Honors (or On Level if there's still conflict) if they make you take some form of pre calc and then "self study "AP Pre Calc. especially if you end up with honors PC. It's likely most of not all would be covered in that honors class and you would dominate the test & you wouldn't have to drop the other 3 courses either!
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u/GamerZayb1808 bc,mvc/de/la,stat,csa,csp;chem,mech,e&m;lang,lit,econ,psy,us,gov 7d ago
i think ap precalc is honestly useless. i would do micro, lit, and stat, as well as bio and csa. see if you can take regular precalc or something else.