<p>Ok senior year is coming up pretty soon and I'm trying to decide between Ap Chem and Ap Physics C. The last time I took chem was in honors chem for freshmen year and I took AP Physics B in 10th grade (got a 5). I want to go into mechanical engineering at the moment (aspirations may change), so what class should i take? I know the prevalent view may be to take AP Physics C since I want to go into MechE, but I know many colleges require you to take Chem in freshmen year. I'm not to keen on going into college after only taking freshman year chemistry. On the other hand, AP Physics C paired along with AP Calc BC could prove very valuable for MechE. What are your thoughts? AP Physics C to prepare me more for potential future MechE or AP Chem to prepare myself for required chem courses in college? Thanks.</p>
<p>anyone???</p>
<p>^I don’t know. That’s a tough one. If your college list is very short, then you could do a bit of research using each of their online course catalogs. Look up AP credit policies in each of your colleges. If you get AP credit for, say, a 4 or 5 on one test, but not the other, then you’ll know that the AP credit course is the one to take. But if the answer varies between your colleges, or if your college list is long and you have no idea where you’ll end up, then you’ll probably be wasting your time.</p>
<p>None of my kids took AP Physics, so I don’t know what AP Physics B (the test you already took) will get you in terms of college credit, and particularly when compared to AP Physics C. Is it like AP Calc AB versus BC? A 4 or 5 on the Calc BC test will earn you college credit for 2 math courses, in most cases. A 4 or 5 on the AB test will earn you college credit for 1 math course. Does it work that same way? If so, and particularly if you like Physics better, then you might consider Physics C.</p>
<p>But my vote is on AP Chemistry, and here’s why:</p>
<p>First, while my son was applying for college and aiming for a MechE degree, I heard that the Physics you take in college, for engineering, is more of a “building block” kind of course than Chemistry. Chemistry is always required, but once you take your one or two Chemistry courses, you’re pretty much done with Chemistry. Other courses don’t build directly upon that Chemistry foundation in MechE, supposedly. Physics, like math, builds upon itself. You’ll really need the foundational elements that you’ll pick up in your college Physics classes – or so I’ve HEARD. And so, I’ve heard, some college engineering departments are not as liberal with AP credits for Physics. They want you to have THEIR Physics, not merely AP credit for Physics. And some engineering depts will give you the credit, but encourage you to take their Physics anyway. All hearsay, with no personal experience.</p>
<p>And second, you already have one AP Physics test out of the way, with a 5. Assuming that gets you SOME credit in college, for at least one course (like I said, my kids haven’t been down that path with Physics, so I don’t know), then it seems like it would be smart to take AP Chemistry, too, and get credit for at least one, and maybe both, college Chemistry courses! At Texas A&M, a 5 on the AP Chemistry test earns you credit for both Chemistry’s. And then, voila, you’re done with college chemistry, as long as you remain a MechE major.</p>
<p>Imagine if you got out of 2 Chemistry’s and 1-2 Physics. That’d be pretty awesome. More awesome than getting out of 2 Physics. :)</p>
<p>thanks. more please!</p>
<p>bump…</p>