Calculus vs Precalculus

I'm currently in precalculus, and I'm wondering how much more difficult calculus will be in comparison. Could someone give me an idea of the differences in material and difficulty? Also, do colleges look at one more favorably? Any advice is appreciated!

Hello! It's natural to wonder about the transition between precalculus and calculus, as these are both important math courses in high school. In terms of content, precalculus mainly focuses on advanced algebra, trigonometry, and analytic geometry, while calculus introduces concepts such as limits, derivatives, and integrals.

The difficulty of calculus compared to precalculus might vary from person to person. Some students find calculus to be conceptually more challenging, but others thrive on its real-world applications. Overall, it's often seen as a step up in difficulty level.

As for how colleges view these courses, it depends on the selectiveness of the school and your intended major. Generally, more competitive colleges may expect students to take the most rigorous courses available to them at their school, which typically includes calculus (particularly Calculus AB or BC if your school offers AP classes).

If you are planning to apply to STEM programs, having calculus on your transcript can be especially important as it demonstrates your preparedness for college-level coursework.

That being said, just completing calculus isn't enough to impress an admissions committee. Performing well in all of your math courses, including precalculus, and maintaining strong grades will ultimately have a bigger impact. So, focus on understanding the material and building a solid foundation in math, which will help you excel in calculus and beyond. Good luck!