<p>Hello, I am in the middle of deciding my classes for senior year, and I'm currently deciding if I should take AB or BC AP Calc, and AB or C AP Physics. I would either have to take both, or neither, unless I can get really lucky and get a workaround that only allows me to take Physics C. At my high school, the BC and C classes have about 1/10th of the people in the AB classes.</p>
<p>The C Physics class isn't supposed to be that much more difficult than the AB, but the math is supposed to not be that much more difficult, but a lot more work, and it meets an extra period every week.</p>
<p>I am interested in majoring in Physics, engineering, or CS, but not quite sure yet. I'm aware that it would probably help me during at least freshman year of college, but I'm not worried about that too much since having these AP classes should make my freshman year fairly easy, almost wherever I end up for college.</p>
<p>How much would colleges really look at this and care about AB vs BC or C? Is it worth taking the class in your opinion?</p>
<p>As a senior in AP Physics C and having taken BC Calc and standard level (non-calc) physics in the past, I would definitely suggest taking Physics C. BC Calculus and AP Physics C really go hand in hand (especially for Mechanics). At least first semester, AP Physics C utilizes simple integration and differentiation for which Calculus AB would provide an adequate background. However, the concepts behind E & M involve calculus beyond what BC teaches, and a more rigorous integration background is ultimately beneficial. In addition, the BC calculus class briefly covers differential equations, the understanding of which will greatly aid your understanding on AP C: Mechanics.</p>
<p>Since you are majoring in Physics / Engineering , colleges will want to see that you’re challenging yourself in this regard. You’ll find that the higher level Calc + Physics classes are mutually beneficial. </p>
<p>Achieving a 5 on the AP Physics B test does not usually get you credit as a STEM major at most of the universities I know of. AP Calculus AB does get you credit, but one semester only. If you’re interested in Computer Science, the BC class is more in-depth with mathematical reasoning and proofs (at least mine was; I took a combined IB HL + AP Calculus BC class), and this sort of logical thinking is a great preparation for what’s to come. </p>
<p>I guess the urgency of my admonition would depend on what schools you’re aiming at. Few in-state public universities would scoff at AP Physics B + AP Calculus AB + AP Computer Science, but a more rigorous background would be beneficial for elite national science and engineering schools.</p>
<p>Thanks. Did you seem to have much more work than your friends in these classes? I’ll obviously ask around at my school, but I’m just trying to get a general idea.</p>
<p>You also mentioned it would be beneficial for some schools. Beneficial in what regard? Would it really be more impressive to schools, and benefit my transcript to see an B in the BC or C courses vs an A- in the AB courses? Especially because at my school AP courses only add 5 to GPA vs 10 at other schools (I think).</p>
<p>Calculus BC and AP Physics C are probably some of the hardest courses you could take in high school, don’t get me wrong. My friends happen to be interested in math and science as well but don’t seek as much of a well-rounded curriculum, so I end up doing more work all-around. BC is definitely more work than a full year Calculus AB course, but success is still contingent on your understanding of the subject. </p>
<p>AP Physics is different though. Physics C is a more focused, narrow subject, whereas Physics B is more broad in scope. In this way one could say that Physics B is less cumulative, and if you don’t particularly understand one section it isn’t as much of a loss. But Physics B is still a lot of information. It just doesn’t go into quite the depth on each subject, and this is where it lacks compared to a class that would be considered college equivalent.</p>
<p>Ah, the “A in lower level vs. B in AP” question. I hate to say this, but “A in an AP class is best”. Each class that you’ve outlined may have concepts that aren’t immediately understood. In most cases, the hypothetical situation you provided isn’t the case. If you can get a B in AP Physics C or AP Calculus BC, you can definitely get an A in Physics B or Calculus AB. I think that it’s pretty commonly known that AP Physics C and AP Calculus BC are not pushover classes and in my experience, have been graded on a curve just like university classes. So a lower grade (if it’s B- or above) can be forgiven. The main objective is to understand the material, and at an AP Physics C or AP Calculus BC pace, the amount of work this requires is contingent on the person. For me, Physics C came easy but Calculus required extra work. So if you’re looking at a stressful senior year right now, then take it easy and scale back, because effort and grades are not always related for these classes. </p>
<p>Schools would be more impressed to see you achieve success while showing intelligent planning of your schedule than to try and excel in everything and do a lackluster job. The latter will stress you out more than its worth, and won’t highlight your ambition as much as you’d hope. This holds true especially because your GPA boost for either option is the same. If many students in your class are opting for the lower level- something that the secondary report from your counselor will likely reveal- then you shouldn’t be too concerned about what colleges will think about the rigor- especially if you do well in those classes.</p>
<p>Again, it’ll depend on what schools you’re looking at. The Common Data Set usually indicates the importance of different factors for admission. If your class rank is relatively stable and already has some 'B’s factored in, then I see no reason to avoid the BC Calc and Physics C classes. But if you’re valedictorian or your rank is very high and volatile, then scaling back to maintain your rank for colleges could be better in the context of your school (again, this depends on the college).</p>
<p>Thanks, that helped a lot, but I am still undecided. The only real thing I am concerned with is BC Calc being too much work, and maybe not being with some of my friends because we do homework and stuff together. I still have to get into BC Calc first which I should be able to, then I can work from there. Thanks again.</p>