Is it better to take stats or calculus in high school?

Calculus is generally better for STEM majors and selective college admissions, as it is viewed as more rigorous, whereas Statistics is more practical for social sciences, business, and humanities. Both courses lead to similar long-term career success and earnings. Calculus is recommended for engineering/physical sciences; Statistics is recommended for data-driven fields.

Should you take calculus or statistics in high school?

Calculus takers are more likely to enroll in selective colleges and pursue STEM majors but no more likely than statistics students to earn degrees. No Long-Term Earnings Edge for Calculus.

What is more useful, statistics or calculus?

Of the 178,000 students who took either Advanced Placement Calculus AB course or AP Statistics from 2015-2020, the calculus-takers were more likely to enroll in selective colleges and pursue majors in science, technology, engineering, and math than an otherwise similar group of their peers who took AP Statistics.

Do colleges look at high school stats?

In most cases, colleges do look at your academic performance across all four years of high school. Your full transcript is typically submitted with your college application. That means freshman through senior year all count.

Is an 89.5 an A or B?

An 89.5 is usually a B+ or an A- (A minus), depending on the specific grading scale, but it's often right on the border and sometimes rounded up to an A if the instructor rounds, so check your syllabus, as it's usually a B+ or A-. Many schools use +/- scales where 89.5 is the cutoff for an A-. 

Should I take AP Calculus or AP Stats? - Episode 6

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is stats or calc harder?

Generally, Calculus is considered harder and more rigorous than introductory Statistics, focusing on abstract concepts like rates of change and limits, while Statistics, though conceptually different and sometimes tricky with its new symbols and focus on real-world data, often involves less intense, repetitive calculations at the high school level but demands deep understanding of application and context, making its difficulty subjective. Calculus is seen as a fundamental gatekeeper for many STEM fields, requiring significant abstract problem-solving, whereas Statistics can be surprisingly challenging due to its unique framework of probability and inference, especially at higher levels where calculus concepts reappear. 

Can I pass statistics if I'm bad at math?

Yes, you can absolutely pass statistics even if you struggle with math, as introductory stats focuses more on logic, problem-solving, and understanding concepts (like interpreting data and using formulas) rather than complex calculations, requiring solid basic algebra skills for plugging numbers into formulas, not advanced math. Success often comes from consistent practice, seeking help (instructors, tutors, videos), focusing on "why" behind the stats, and mastering basic formula application. 

Does NASA use calculus?

Yes, NASA uses calculus extensively in physics, engineering, and mission planning, as it's fundamental for understanding motion, rates of change, and complex orbital mechanics, from calculating rocket trajectories and fuel consumption to predicting planetary movements and spacecraft navigation. Calculus helps determine how objects in space move, how rockets work, and how to accurately guide missions.
 

Do colleges like calculus or statistics?

But students who took calculus were six percentage points more likely to enroll in the most selective colleges. Calculus takers were also 11 percentage points more likely to pick a STEM major, and 10 percentage points more likely to graduate with a STEM degree.

What's the highest math class you can take in high school?

Wrap up with Calculus, the highest level of math offered by many high schools and often considered the gold standard of pre-college math preparation.

Do doctors need calculus or statistics?

Calculus and statistics are used in the medical profession in fields ranging from measuring kidney function to analyzing medical images to diagnosing diabetes. Clearly, mathematics is vital to the medical profession.

What is the most commonly failed class in college?

The most failed college classes are typically foundational "gatekeeper" courses, especially in Math (like College Algebra, Calculus I/II) and Science (Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physics), due to high enrollment, rigorous content, and challenging concepts for pre-med/STEM majors, with Computer Science intro courses also seeing high failure/withdrawal rates. Specific courses like Spanish 97 (Accelerated Review) at Iowa State also stand out due to misleading names or lack of incentive to excel beyond the minimum pass, notes this Iowa State Daily article.
 

Do colleges care if you took calculus?

Even when not explicitly required, calculus signals a level of preparation and quantitative ability that matters in competitive admissions reviews. Many selective business schools also favor students who have taken calculus.

What's the hardest class in high school?

There's no single hardest subject, but advanced math (Calculus, Algebra), Physics, and Chemistry are frequently cited due to abstract concepts, heavy calculation, and building on prior knowledge; however, difficulty is subjective, with some finding foreign languages or even demanding literature/history classes challenging, depending on individual aptitude, interest, and teaching quality.
 

Do I have a low IQ if I am bad at math?

No, being bad at math isn't necessarily a sign of low IQ; it's often due to factors like anxiety, teaching methods, gaps in knowledge, or even learning disorders like dyscalculia, and IQ tests measure many abilities beyond just math skills, so strong math performance isn't required for high intelligence. Many people with high IQs struggle with math due to these other issues, while diligent effort can help others succeed, showing persistence is key.
 

What majors don't require calculus?

The following majors do not require Calculus

• Anthropology.
• Art and Art History.
• Classics.
• Communication.
• English.
• Environmental Studies.
• Ethnic Studies.
• History.

Which course is best if I am weak in maths?

If you want the best career options without maths, try BBA, B.Com, Hotel Management, Law, Design, Mass Communication, or Psychology. These fields are in high demand and provide great career growth.

Should I take calc or stats first?

Most STEM majors require at least one calculus course to graduate, so you could fulfill part or all of this requirement before you even start college. However, some STEM majors need to take statistics in college as well, so you may want to take AP Stats to feel better prepared for that course.

What is the #1 hardest AP class?

While it varies by student, AP Physics 1 is frequently cited as the #1 hardest AP class due to low pass rates, complex algebra-based concepts, and intensive lab work, with other top contenders for difficulty including AP U.S. History, AP Environmental Science, and AP English Language. The difficulty often comes from content overload, conceptual depth, and demands for hands-on application, making it challenging for many students to score high. 

Can I pass statistics if I'm bad at math?

Yes, you can absolutely pass statistics even if you struggle with math, as introductory stats focuses more on logic, problem-solving, and understanding concepts (like interpreting data and using formulas) rather than complex calculations, requiring solid basic algebra skills for plugging numbers into formulas, not advanced math. Success often comes from consistent practice, seeking help (instructors, tutors, videos), focusing on "why" behind the stats, and mastering basic formula application. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

What is the toughest year of high school?

Most students and counselors agree that junior year (11th grade) is the hardest year of high school due to intense academic pressure, standardized testing (SAT/ACT), increased course difficulty (AP/Honors), and the critical focus on grades for college applications, all while balancing extracurriculars and potentially a job. While sophomore year can be a challenging transition to harder classes, junior year brings the most significant stress from future planning and high-stakes testing. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels.