Hi,
I am planing to take AP Calculus (not sure AB or BC), AP Chemistry and AP Physics C (both Mechanics and E&M) in my junior year (11th grade). Plus my I very enthusiastic and I could work very hard and I always get A grades.
Would be it impossible? Has anyone taken all 3 courses simultaneously? If yes, please let me know about your experience.
Please let me know your comments!
I personally think you would do well if you have the right work ethic. If those are the only three AP courses you’re taking, you should be able to pull it through, at least with a B if you work hard enough. It’ll be a challenge, but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, I’m sure you’ll be able to do just fine. Take some more relaxed classes though, like one or two, just to sort of balance yourself out I guess. Nothing too easy, just something that won’t suck up lots of time and energy.
Yes, it’s certainly possible. It seems to me that you are a math-minded person, so these three classes shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for you. As mentioned by the previous poster, you need to have a good work ethic to do well, but doing well is completely possible. Good luck!
Not sure about physics but chem and calc aren’t a lot of work they just require you to understand what you’re learning. Not like bio or US that require hours of outlining and memorizing facts.
Thank you very much for your comments. Other classes that I would be taking would be would be much more relaxed… Also our school provides dual enrollment. So would it be a good idea to take 3 college courses (In chemistry, physics and calculus; not exactly sure which) simultaneously in 12th grade, if I get good grades in 11th grade?
I’m not sure if it’s the best idea to take Physics C without previous calculus experience. Especially considering how rigorous both Physics C and AP Chem are, I personally take AP Chem, then senior year (after I know calculus) take Physics C. But, if many people at your school take Physics C without calculus experience, your Physics teacher will probably be very accommodating towards that. If you say you work very hard and get good grades, I believe you can succeed with this schedule.
@gormar099 The only prerequisite for Physics C is concurrent enrollment in a Calculus course. Most people who take Physics C have no prior Calculus knowledge because both classes are usually reserved for Seniors.
^ a strong background in precalculus honors helps; some intro to physics (regular or honors or AP1 or AP 2) is a pre-requisite too.
In addition, I would NOT recommend taking AP Chem alongside AP Physics C. AP Chem is very work-intensive and time-consuming. I would choose AP Chem and AP Calc junior year, and AP Physics or equivalent senior year.
If your school provides dual enrollment, yes it’d be good if you took Calc2, and General Physics 1 (class for future engineers) senior year, plus perhaps a Freshman English class. Add “fun”/requirement classes at your HS.
I think that was assumed if the poster will be taking AP Calc.
It certainly helps, but it is not a prereq in all HS’s, although possibly should be.
^well, while not all high schools require some Physics background for Physics C, considering that Physics C mimics a first-semester/year physics for engineering course and that research shows that the vast majority of students who have not taken physics before either drop out or fail that class, it’s safe to assume that if Physics C is taught with any amount of rigor having some background in physics is necessary to pass it, let alone do well in it. It’s meant as a Level2 Physics class and if taught as it’s meant to it’s unlikely to be doable, except by the most extremely gifted, by students who have only had the tiny bit of 8th grade physical science unit.
(Of course, research also shows that students who take General Physics for Engineering concurrently with calculus because they’ve never had calculus, tend to drop out/fail at a very high rate, whereas AP Calc + AP PhysicsC is doable, so the high school curriculum may choose to spread out the content and cut on E&M to accomodate some students. I still wouldn’t advise Physics C without a background in physics, and I’d recommend taking Calc 1 one semester before taking Physics 1 if at all possible in order to ensure the best possible outcome to students who want to major in Engineering/Physics but haven’t taken calculus in high school.)
@MYOS1634 I’m not disagreeing with you; I’m just pointing out that not all HS’s that offer AP Physics C agree with your rationale.
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your suggestions. I would match the pre-requisites of all the courses (I would have completed Honors Pre-Calc, Physics and Chemistry). I am really good in Math and Physics, but I am not so good at Chemistry. So, can anyone let me know about how rigorous is AP Chemistry?
Ap Chemistry is very time-consuming and intense, it’s one of the hardest APs at most schools.
Since you’re really good at physics, you could take Calc and Physics C then.