Take This Class as Soon as Possible

AP Statistics: This class has unfortunately earned a bad reputation in the admissions consulting world. It's often viewed as a non-rigorous "softball" class that many overachieving seniors take after completing multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations in their junior year, representing a missed opportunity to take more advanced math classes, such as complex analysis. Taking AP Statistics in senior year is usually seen as a sign that a student isn't pursuing the most rigorous course load, which will hurt their competitiveness in the college admissions process.

If you're taking AP Statistics in your senior year, it's too late. You should take it in your freshman year, or sophomore year at the latest. Why? Simple. It's the best class to take if you want to persuade professors that you can contribute meaningfully to their research groups. Real research in high school, for most fields, starts with crunching numbers in Excel or Python and applying statistical tests to data to better understand how it can be interpreted. AP Statistics is the only standalone class offered in high school that gives you the tools to do just that.

The class helps applicants secure summer research opportunities by making them competitive applicants for programs, and helps them succeed when cold-emailing professors. As long as someone has completed Algebra II, they are mathematically mature enough for AP Statistics. The earlier one takes it, the longer timeframe they have to contact professors whose labs they can be of assistance to. Given the low success rate of individual cold approaches, having time on your side by taking AP Statistics early is vital to eventually finding that single professor who will provide you with an opportunity to participate in impactful research all year round. This gives you a chance to really stand out in the college admissions process compared to people who only do research in the summer.

If you want to make sure your child is taking the right classes to get into their dream college, or if you have questions about how to work with administrators at your child's school to help them thrive academically instead of needlessly delaying their progression, schedule a free consultation with an admissions expert below.