Selecting High School Math Courses for College Applications

I'm planning my schedule for the next school year and I'm not sure what math classes would be most beneficial for my college applications. I'm doing pretty well in Algebra II this year. What should I be aiming for next, Calculus or Statistics? Does the difficulty of my next math class make a big difference to colleges?

The choice between Calculus and Statistics largely depends on what you're planning to study in college. If you're eyeing a major in subjects like engineering, natural sciences, or economics, it would be preferable to take Calculus as it is often a prerequisite for these fields. However, if you're steering towards a major in the social sciences or humanities, Statistics could be quite useful and relevant.

That said, it's also important to consider your personal academic strengths and interests. If you find that your skill set is more aligned with Calculus and you would enjoy the content, then that might be a better choice for you. On the other hand, if you have a keen interest in data interpretation and analysis, then Statistics could be a more engaging and rewarding choice.

The difficulty of your classes does matter to colleges, but the focus is more about showing academic rigor and performing well. Colleges like seeing that you are challenging yourself with rigorous coursework and succeeding in those courses.

So, while neither Calculus nor Statistics is inherently superior when it comes to college admissions, you should opt for the one that most compliments your intended area of study and aligns with your interests and academic strengths. Demonstrating that you can excel in challenging courses related to your future major can help draw a compelling academic narrative in your application.