I will not be able to take AP Physics 1 and 2, however, my aunt is a physics professor and she said she can teach me it over the summer. So let’s say I take the Ap physics exams without taking the class and send my scores when I apply to college. The colleges would see that I have not taken the ap physics classes but I still took the exams (and hopefully) got a decent/good grade. Would that look bad since I did not even take the class?
No.
On the flip side, though, you will also not get brownie points from an AO for taking the test without the class. It will have no effect on your application one way or the other, IMO.
Agree that it won’t look bad. The “brownie points” are potentially getting college credit - check your target schools and see if they give credit for AP Physics and what test score is required.
It wouldn’t look bad, since it really won’t look like anything at all to admissions.
It will get you college credit, but it will also take up your summer. It’s your call, either have more free time in summer, or possibly get college credit.
It might get you college credit, but it isn’t guaranteed to. That depends on the place you end up studying at. How much do you like physics? Maybe you’d be better off hanging out with your aunt’s research group for the summer, and seeing physics put into action.
@happymomof1 I have a deep love for math and science and I just wanted to use it to indicate that I work hard outside of school as well as in school. Even if it does not get me credit I will still take it because I really enjoy physics.
So, your aunt is going to teach you AP Physics 1 and 2 over the summer. And then you are going to wait 8 months to take the AP test in May of 2018? I’m not sure if that’s the best plan. Regardless, I would have to respectfully disagree with the others on two points.
- I think how the admisisons officers view the tests will depend on how they fit into your overall story. If you're just taking the AP tests because your aunt is a physics teacher, then that is not a very compelling reason. Like happymomof1 wrote, there maybe better ways to show your interest in physics, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it like the others. If you really do love STEM and you have a legit reason for not being able to take the class (e.g. scheduling conflicts), then I think that adds to your story.
- I also don't think getting college credit is necessarily a good thing in your case. Don't forget that by only taking the exam, you are missing out on important lab experience (unless your aunt is going to run all the experiments with you). IMHO, getting credit and jumping into higher level physics after having never taken the class, is very risky and not advisable. If you're looking to just satisfy distribution requirements and potentially graduate early, then that's less problematic.
As others have pointed out, it would have minimal impact if any on your admission. It may not even bring benefit by self studying it instead of taking it in school, HS or college. On the other hand, there are many better ways to use your time in summer. Have you thoroughly prepared for SAT and/or ACT? Do you have any job experience? How about volunteering? All these would be far more important than taking a self studied AP exam.
Im also going to take the physics sat. I have taken physics before just not the ap level. However i believe i can do it. My intention was tk show that i am hardworking outside of class and show my interesnt in stem and sciences bc im going into med
Perhaps consider taking physics over the summer at a CC or local college (and your aunt can help when needed). This way you wouldn’t have to take the AP months later and it would be documented on a transcript that you took the course over the summer.
Well now that you added the med school plans, AP college credit likely would not apply since you would need to still take Physics in college as a prereq for med school. Maybe better to do something more productive like volunteer at a local hospital, shadow a doctor, etc.
Agreed. Few med schools accept science AP’s for prereqs.
Few colleges will care. In fact, it might work against you as most colleges would like people other than academic drones. You can show you’re hard-working in other ways.
Excellent suggestion.
First of all, a great deal of colleges will not even give credit for AP Physics 1 and 2. It’s better to just take AP Physics C courses if you want to get an intro to more rigorous physics. (You’re assured more so of getting credit with those courses). Those courses require Calculus understanding so… I don’t know your math level so…
Yes, prereqs for med school include physics and it is likely that you will repeat physics in college. But, I think taking it might help you be prepared for college. But, physics isn’t as important as biology for med students. So I’d advise against studying for the AP Physics 1 & 2 tests. lf you really are interested in physics, then just study in the summer and review throughout the year and then take the exam…but first of all, I’d say take the C courses (when you can). Use this summer to study AP Physics 1 & 2 material…and if you must take those courses before the AP Physics C courses…then see if you can write an exam to surpass that requirement. I don’t know if you have a way of getting credit or skipping courses to reach a higher level course at your school…if you do, then you should do that. If they do not offer the C courses at your school, then self-study throughout the year and write the exam (I am assuming you know enough Calculus and really like Physics).
If you do not have the passion for physics or strong background in math, then I really would advise against that. It is much better to use your time for something else.
One more question: What grade are you in? Depending on what grade you are in you may find it better to not study physics and instead focus on interests that appeal to colleges for a premed student.
Shadowing or volunteering at a hospital would be a much more valuable experience to you and would help in college applications. Or even doing research in a lab. The list goes on.