Calc BC or Biology?

[bluewind751]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I'm planning out my high school senior year schedule, and I'm debating on whether to take AP Calc BC or AP Biology. I want to eventually go to medical school, possibly majoring in biology or chemistry and minoring in business. (And if we look far enough, I'd possibly want a dual-degree MD/MBA, but I'd like to keep my options open as I progress through school)

I'm already taking AP Calc AB, AP Chemistry, and AP Stats as a junior. Any advice would be appreciated. Grazie.

 

[bluewind751]

Not enough space for both on my schedule...

What I'm researching is that while many medical schools require 2 years of Math, they also accept AP credit so long as the classes appear on the final transcript. If I can pull off 4s or 5s on my Calc AB and Stat exams, then maybe I will never have to take Math again. Taking Biology might allow me to advance to upper-level classes in college or even have it easier if I decide to retake General Biology in college in preparation for the MCAT...

On the other hand, some calculus is useful for business, and I find it to be an interesting, applicable subject. Some colleges require 2 years of calculus (AP credit or none) ...

 

[vanillabear55]

Not enough space for both on my schedule...

What I'm researching is that while many medical schools require 2 years of Math, they also accept AP credit so long as the classes appear on the final transcript. If I can pull off 4s or 5s on my Calc AB and Stat exams, then maybe I will never have to take Math again. Taking Biology might allow me to advance to upper-level classes in college or even have it easier if I decide to retake General Biology in college in preparation for the MCAT...

On the other hand, some calculus is useful for business, and I find it to be an interesting, applicable subject. Some colleges require 2 years of calculus (AP credit or none) ...

false. 2 semesters* maximum of math, and I believe only 2 or so schools require those 2 semesters to be calculus. I myself only took one semester of calculus in college and my pre-health office said that was enough.

If I were in your position, wanting to major in biology, I would take AP biology so I could get started on more major requirements sooner/possibly graduate early from college since it seems like you'll be starting off with alot of AP credits ( assuming you do well on the exams )

 

[bluewind751]

Jinkies, my bad.

I didn't mean to put 2 years, I know the only thing most medical schools require for 2 years is chemistry (general & orgo combined).

I was leaning towards biology anyway. Thanks! Any more opinions?

 

[Pandapurse]

I think it comes down to personal preference. I took both AP Biology and AP Chemistry because I wanted a strong background in the sciences (they were both very useful to me). However, if you can pass the Calc BC exam, go for it! It would be nice not to take math in college.

 

[em3761]

If you're already taking AP Calc AB it's probably not worth taking BC next year, especially since the Bio will probably be more valuable when you apply to med school. The math is also important though, and unfortunately the AB exam probably won't be enough to place out of an intro calc class in college.

The AP exams aren't until May/June, so see if there's any way you can take the BC exam this year. (See if you can find a friend or teacher who can tutor you, etc.) If you don't have time to do this, no worries--you're doing a lot of AP credits already and getting good grades in the classes you have now is more important than adding on extra stuff. However, in my experience the BC exam is a LOT more useful in college than the AB one.

 

[indianjatt]

Just make sure you look at the math requirements for certain schools. I know for UC's (some Cali schools), you are required to take your math classes at a UC.

 

[redhead512]

Take Calc. You can always take Bio later (in college) and it will be easier to pick up since you will have other science classes.

if you are like me (and hate math) you should take calc as far as you can in high school so that you can test out of it and be done for good. If you quit now you will have to take another semester in college!

 

[Sine Cura]

As suggested earlier, you can take the BC exam without actually taking the course (self-study, tutoring as necessary). It can be much easier to get a 5 on the AP exam than getting an A in the corresponding college course.

 

[bananaface]

I would take calculus because I would want to take an actual college biology course in order to prepare myself better. Plus, I would want a grade on my biology class and I think some places just list AP scores as a pass.

 

[bluewind751]

I would take calculus because I would want to take an actual college biology course in order to prepare myself better. Plus, I would want a grade on my biology class and I think some places just list AP scores as a pass.

Would taking AP Biology and then retaking a General Biology be more likely to prepare for the MCAT, as well as provide a GPA boost? Or is General Biology really that different from AP Biology?

 

[bluewind751]

Just make sure you look at the math requirements for certain schools. I know for UC's (some Cali schools), you are required to take your math classes at a UC.

Probably not going to a UC (too far and I don't have the bill$) 🙁

 

[emlibrary]

Ap calc ftw

 

[Humanz]

So I'm planning out my high school senior year schedule, and I'm debating on whether to take AP Calc BC or AP Biology. I want to eventually go to medical school, possibly majoring in biology or chemistry and minoring in business. (And if we look far enough, I'd possibly want a dual-degree MD/MBA, but I'd like to keep my options open as I progress through school)

I'm already taking AP Calc AB, AP Chemistry, and AP Stats as a junior. Any advice would be appreciated. Grazie.

AP Calc BC is very easy if you understood AP Calc AB well enough. Only introduction are "the series."
AP Bio is important.

My advice after taking both of these in high school is to do it. A solid AP background in calculus really made college math that much easier (Though, you will have to go into multi-variable calculus if your school takes AP credit as course placement, like mine does).
AP Bio is just a great overall course. Very fun and rewarding.. AP test wasn't hard either.

Good luck kid

 

[SeekerofTruth]

I've heard that either schools require you to take the next level of a class you got AP credit for in order for it to count towards a requirement.

Take the class that you would enjoy more