<p>I'm a rising senior with only a Pre-Calculus background, and no Physics background.
I'm planning on taking AP Physics senior year on VHS--Virtual High School. I'm just not sure which one to take. I need physics because I want I apply engineering at very competitive schools.
I have a pretty rigorous schedule senior year: AP Bio, AP Lit and Comp, AP Calc AB/BC, AP Spanish.
Please help me out and give some advice.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, there’s a wait list for AP Physics B right now, and I’m thinking about taking C just so I am guaranteed a Physics class. But I don’t know if I’ll have the necessary skills to take it on VHS.</p>
<p>This is a tough one.</p>
<p>Ap physics c is a calculus based physics course and you’ve never taken calculus yet. Therefore your chances of doing well are slim. Ap physics c is also harder than any other ap STEM classes probably cause it’s not as mainstream" as a class like ap calculus ab. Therefore getting a 5 ain’t easy. I taking ap physics. This year and I’ve done calculus.</p>
<p>I took ap physics b last year and it’s also hard (just goes over too much for one class) but has no calculus. So you should take that. However, most colleges don’t give ANY credit for that class. I just took it to prep for the real deal: physics c. </p>
<p>Talk to your ap physics c teacher and see what he recommends. The calculus isn’t hardcore but (from my study experience this summer) its more of a deal of finding when it’s applicable. I personally don’t think your school will allow you to even take physics c.</p>
<p>Look up the colleges you wish to attend and see what they give credit for. Colleges reward those who can use search engines.</p>
<p>Regards,</p>
<p>LordEango</p>
<p>@LordEango
I’m planning on taking it online–a Virtual High School course–which would possibly/potentially make it even more challenging. So I can’t really ask any teacher at my school because the course isn’t offered as an actual classroom class there.
Also, I’m not planning on taking the AP Exam. I just want to put the class in my transcript.
I would’ve taken Honors Physics or regular physics but neither class would fit into my schedule (listed above).
I have a Pre-Calculus background, so would that help at all?</p>
<p>You really need a calculus-background to take Physics C. The calculus, if any, that you would “learn” in it is supposed to be review. With a pre-calc background I’d take Physics B, but you can take Physics C, it’ll just take a lot more work. Make sure you are at least co-enrolled in a calculus class if you do take Physics C.</p>
<p>I took Physics C going in with only pre-calc and got a 5. if you take it with Calc you should be fine.</p>