<p>I'm sure you've all heard this question a hundred times before, but which course should I take senior year? I've heard that AP Physics B and C have equal weight in admissions (unless you're applying to science-based academy like MIT) because they cover different topics, so I suppose it comes down to topic interest. I want to major in business/econ, so I was thinking AP Physics B would be a better choice. What do you all think?</p>
<p>Since you’re not really applying for a science intensive major, I don’t think taking AP Physics B would be detrimental to your application in any way.</p>
<p>For you, I don’t think it’d make a difference. Physics C is basically physics for engineers, so go ahead and take B if that’s what you want.</p>
<p>However, the fact that you’re not going into a technical field doesn’t mean that you can’t take the higher level of physics. My prospective major is linguistics, and I’m in Physics C. I very much had the debate you are now having. I initially signed up for Physics B, did the summer homework for it, and was in the class for a day before switching to C, where I am currently doing horribly. Of course, I was looking at a “science-based academy like MIT,” so I had that consideration that you did not. </p>
<p>I switched to C, in short, because, honestly, I felt like a bit of a slacker. When I looked around the B classroom, I saw people with whom I didn’t normally take class. When I look around C, I see people who suffered through Calc BC with me (who all did better than I did), I see people who did 4th grade math with me when we were in 3rd grade, I see the people who normally challenge themselves to the degree that I do. I suck at C, but I’m far more comfortable sucking in there than I would be getting B’s (or maybe even A’s!) in B.</p>
<p>If you have an actual interest in physics, take C. Because you can’t really learn physics without the calculus. But if you aren’t really that interested in it, don’t bother and just take B. I would challenge myself like Millancad did, but go ahead and take the somewhat easier class if you want.</p>
<p>I’m only in precalculus but I’m also in Physics B and I can tell you it’s pretty challenging. I really like it too, and definitely never feel like a slacker for taking it! You may want to consider that an A in Physics B almost surely looks better than a B in Physics C. If you aren’t going to be an engineer/major in physics, I wouldn’t risk the GPA. You can always take more physics in college if you end up loving it.</p>
<p>Thanks. yeah, in my school, it is a bit different – that academic rigor of B and C is fairly identical – the smartest kids are in both. What differentiates them is simply their interests, but since I am not planning on applying to MIT or CalTech (I’m more of the liberal arts college type), I think that they would look at B and C as equivalent courses. Would you agree?</p>
<p>Based on your potential career aspirations, I would personally recommend Physics B. It is definitely a bit more comprehensive material-wise, but I find Physics C to be more mathematically and intuitively rigorous.</p>
<p>(I am enrolled in Physics B in school while self-studying for the Physics C exams.)</p>
<p>AP Physics B is intended as a one-year terminal course for people who will not be taking any further physics in college. AP Physics C is intended as a first-year foundation course that higher-level courses will build on. B does not use calculus (much), but C does.</p>
<p>You can read about the differences here: [AP</a> Courses - Advanced Placement Course Descriptions](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>AP Courses and Exams – AP Students | College Board)</p>