Taking Statistics in 12th grade instead of Calculus

[Anonymous]

Our DD is in 11th grade at a private school in D.C. She is on the regular math track and will complete precalculus at the end of the year. Math is not her strong subject (currently she has a B-) and she has been recommended to take Statistics in 12th grade instead of calculus. However, since she is on the borderline, the Math department is open to us petitioning for her to be placed in calculus.

DD is not a STEM kid and wants to be an English or History major in college. We are wondering if changing the Math track and taking Statistics instead of calculus is a red flag for good schools. The counseling office has indicated that it is not an issue and its better to get an A in statistics than a B- or lower in calculus. However we walked away from the meeting thinking they were just parroting what the Math department had recommended and were not giving us unbiased advice. Would love feedback from other parents whose non-STEM kids may have faced the same issue. Do you think going down in the Math track hurt their college admissions or was it neutral?

[Anonymous]

I doubt its an issue but I don't see why they wouldn't allow calculus if that's what she wants.

[Anonymous]

One of mine got a C+ in pre-calc and an A in AP calc BC, so you never do know!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DD is in 11th grade at a private school in D.C. She is on the regular math track and will complete precalculus at the end of the year. Math is not her strong subject (currently she has a B-) and she has been recommended to take Statistics in 12th grade instead of calculus. However, since she is on the borderline, the Math department is open to us petitioning for her to be placed in calculus.

DD is not a STEM kid and wants to be an English or History major in college. We are wondering if changing the Math track and taking Statistics instead of calculus is a red flag for good schools. The counseling office has indicated that it is not an issue and its better to get an A in statistics than a B- or lower in calculus. However we walked away from the meeting thinking they were just parroting what the Math department had recommended and were not giving us unbiased advice. Would love feedback from other parents whose non-STEM kids may have faced the same issue. Do you think going down in the Math track hurt their college admissions or was it neutral?

Not a private school but -- this is exactly what my DD did in senior year. Took probability/statistics as a general ed class (she successfully completed a full International Baccalaureate diploma program so definitely on the "most rigorous" academic track across all subjects). She completed her IB math requirements junior year. Was never a math lover at all though did decently at it. Taking prob/stat senior year was a total godsend because it gave her an easy class while she was finishing tough language, English and history requirements. You need some kind of math all four years of HS, yes, but don't fall for the idea that the math has to be THE hardest one available. If your DD's not applying for STEM programs in college she should be fine with statistics. It's likely someone here will post to insist that no student can ever get into any worthwhile college without calc but...that's DCUM thinking, not reality.

DD got into her first choice college. They and other colleges where she visited never once asked about calculus or lack of it; they all wanted to know about things like her extracurriculars (arts) and the IB courses. If the math and counseling offices at your DD's school both agree she will be fine on applications without calculus, I'd listen to them.

Bonus: DD says she is using her stats knowledge a lot in college courses.

[Anonymous]

Stats is a very useful class...more useful to many than calc. If she was going into Engineering it would be a problem but otherwise I would do it.

[Anonymous]

Listen to her school advisors - that's why you are in a private school.

And while the answer depends on what you consider a "good college" this is not on its own going to keep her out of any college short of MIT or CalTech.

[Anonymous]

^^^Just adding, DD is a total humanities student, like your DD, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^Just adding, DD is a total humanities student, like your DD, OP.

Referring to 19:55 post, sorry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stats is a very useful class...more useful to many than calc. If she was going into Engineering it would be a problem but otherwise I would do it.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stats is a very useful class...more useful to many than calc. If she was going into Engineering it would be a problem but otherwise I would do it.

+1

+2. If she isn't going into engineering or otherwise not interested in STEM, statistics would be a great class to take. With the growing field of data science, and this creeping into so many career fields, I think it's worthwhile to be exposed to it.

Not to mention overall great for critical thinking.

[Anonymous]

I agree that everyone should take statistics much more so than calculus.

FWIW, my DS who is a strong math student and considering majoring in statistics or maybe applied math has opted to take AP Stats senior year, after Calc AB rather than a 2nd year of calculus. Since he's planning to apply as a statistics major that seemed to make sense (and he's taking other data analysis focused electives).

[Anonymous]

Counseling department at my DC's school was convinced AP Stat senior year looks like a copout. AP Stat as an elective is fine. But of course there are times where this is exactly the sort of release valve a student needs to maintain good grades senior year. Anyway, DC was convinced to take BC senior year and it worked out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Counseling department at my DC's school was convinced AP Stat senior year looks like a copout. AP Stat as an elective is fine. But of course there are times where this is exactly the sort of release valve a student needs to maintain good grades senior year. Anyway, DC was convinced to take BC senior year and it worked out.

And my DCs counselor (and the trig/pre-calc teachers) said the opposite. They strongly recommended AP stats for humanities oriented kids who don't love math. DC will be taking stats and I have no problem with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stats is a very useful class...more useful to many than calc. If she was going into Engineering it would be a problem but otherwise I would do it.

I agree! It’s a great, practical class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stats is a very useful class...more useful to many than calc. If she was going into Engineering it would be a problem but otherwise I would do it.

I agree! It’s a great, practical class.

For many, it will sink in better by learning the basis for stats first (calculus) and then taking more advanced (calc-based) stats in college.