School schedule conflicts

All Nines

For next year's schedule, I had to make a choice between AP Calculus and Wind Ensemble. Right now, I'm signed up for Calculus, but I'm having my doubts and I've had a lot to think about.

Can I get some opinions without having to provide further context: which seems like a better idea (be it due to your own personal preference, or the practicality of it, or what): Band or Calculus?

IanExMachina

Band, assuming your future job won't involve too much maths.

As musical instruments and the ability to play them is always a great thing to have

All Nines

I should have clarified, but I asked partly because math is generally one of my strong suits and I was thinking about majoring in something involving math.

IanExMachina

Ah well (majoring is like a degree right?) if you intend to do that I'd go with maths, music can then be your hobby.

RedEyedAbyss

Higher math is essential for a lot of degrees such as Engineering.

Longfellow

When I was a senior in high school I tried juggling choir and AP Physics at the same time, to....some success. I did well on the AP tests but I did not learn the material very well.

I can't tell you what's best, as I don't know how much you enjoy math or are serious about using math in the future. Doing AP Calc (especially BC) should put you ahead in college, so I'd tentatively recommend that....but if music's a passion and math is merely a talent, maybe you should enjoy yourself while you can. It's hard to join ensembles after school.

glennmagusharvey

IJBM: Being talented in both.

Nyktos

Math is superior, obv.

I have no idea how American math courses work, though, so I dunno what's in that one. Something involving calculus, I assume.

Longfellow

There are two AP Calculus tests, and high schools that offer courses on them will either cater to the basic AB test or the more rigorous BC test.

AB introduces you to derivatives and integrals. BC covers the basics but also explores more of the uses and tools of basic calculus, stuff like Taylor series and integration by parts and using calculus with parametric equations.

All Nines

I found out from my mom that if I don't continue band through senior year, I might negate anywhere from a $1000 to $2000 dollar scholarship.

IJBM: Guidance counselors/schedulers. Thanks for screwing me over, Mrs. [REDACTED].

I'll see about fitting a different class in in place of AP World History so I can have a different block, where they might have AP Calc or something. Or maybe I can take it online, at the very worst.

Or I could do Concert Band, as in the lower-lever band, but that's just agonizing.