Hello all,
I am again experiencing some issues and would appreciate your help tremendously!
Harboring a proclivity for the sciences I would like to consider MIT within my realm of possibilities when time comes to apply to College, but after taking AP Biology in Freshman year instead of the standard Chemistry I am scrambling to reach a Junior year AP Physics course. I feel that not taking my first AP Physics test by 11Th grade may considerably hurt the chances of me being accepted into MIT.
Sophomore year I will be taking Honors Chemistry and AP Environmental, which leaves AP Chem, AP Calc, and AP Physics (if so I decide) for Junior year, along with a few others. The prospect of such a heavy schedule is very daunting so I would like to know if my assumption concerning MIT harshness is correct.
Also, I could opt for an Honors Physics course on-line this year to prepare for the AP version, but this again would pile on the stress, so based on your experience, is high-school level Physics vital to success in AP Physics? Jumping straight to AP Physics would probably not be impossible within my school seeing as they are pretty lax about restrictions, but my main concern is whether my AP grade/score would suffer.
Thanks!
AP Bitter-Sweet Lovin':p
There are several factors to be determined here. If we're talking about AP Physics B - if you're good with science and good at grasping concepts then you shouldn't have a problem skipping the regular class. If we're talking about AP Physics C, well, that's a different story. Since you'd be taking AP calc at the same time, learning the physics plus trying to keep up with the math concepts might get a little tough. I'm not saying it's not possible, it's been done plenty of times in plenty of places. It's just up to you whether you want to struggle with both at the same time.
And who knows, you may be like me and pick up on physics fairly quickly. It depends on what you feel up to.
And I suggest you don't push yourself too hard. If you can handle the course load, that's great - more power to you! But if you can't, don't be afraid to back off a little.
Also - I got accepted into MIT and I took my first AP science in junior year.
[=RoyalBlue][=Comic Sans MS]
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
"But," say Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It
Hello and thank you Pianogirl,
I definitely see your point where AP Physics BC is concerned; I would rather not have to deal with a double dose of difficult math. Actually, one of the things I am unsure of is how many AP Physics courses exist. Will I be able to take AP Physics B Junior year and then AP Physics C as a Senior? If so, then that seems like the best option for me. I can't express how lucky I feel to be talking to someone who has gone through the high-school process and managed to be accepted into one of my choice Colleges. Could you possibly post your high-school schedule or PM it to me? This would squash a lot of doubts I have about schedule choices. Also, would you mind it very much if I PMd you from time to time regarding any academic questions/insecurities that might pop up?
I apologize if I sound a bit crazed/desperate X)
<3
Janin
AP Bitter-Sweet Lovin':p
There are three AP Physics courses. AP Physics B is non-calculus based covering pretty much all of the physics topics. AP Physics C is calculus based and divided into two sections: Mechanics covers the topics dealing the the movements and forces of objects whiles E-Mag (I'm sure it has a proper name, but I don't really feel like looking it up...) deals with physics topics mainly involving waves and radiation and electricity - stuff like that, or so I'm told, I didn't actually take it.
It is possible to take both sections of physics C at the same time, I've had friends do it at other schools. Your school may be like mine and only have one AP Physics C class. You can always do independant study as well...
I'll PM my schedule to you later, and you can PM me anytime about anything, although it's probably faster to im me - if I'm at my computer, I'm on aim; if I'm not, I think my away message goes up...I'm not quite sure what happens when I lock my computer...but yeah, I'm always happy to talk. :o
[=RoyalBlue][=Comic Sans MS]
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
"But," say Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It
:) Thank you!
Allow me to verify whether I understood: AP Physics BC is a combination of Physics B and C? Mechanics and E-Mag aren't separate tests/classes are they?
I've actually just sent you a PM- again I thank you for your kindness! It is such a relief to be able to count on your guidance/experience. :o
AP Bitter-Sweet Lovin':p
Ummm, I don't think B and C can be combined since it's dependent on the math type. It's either calculus based or not. BC at your school is probably non-calculus based. Some schools require you to take the non-calculus AP before the calculus based one (which I personally fought and lost since most science schools don't accept non-calculus based).
[=RoyalBlue][=Comic Sans MS]
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
"But," say Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It
Oh, I was just very confused about that then. Well, taking Physics B Junior year and Physics C Senior year seems attractive... although I will see how I fare in Calculus and look through an AP Physics guide before making any decisions. Your help has really un-foggied my mind.
Thank you! ^_^
AP Bitter-Sweet Lovin':p