Hey guys.
I’m currently a rising senior just starting my college applications. My junior year I took 6 AP exams: Calc BC (5&5), Physics C: Mechanics (5), English Language (5), US History (5), Physics 1 (4), and Biology (4). I only took 5 classes in school, however, all except c mechanics. Using my calc skills, the knowledge from physics 1, and a little self studying, I took the c mech exam. That being said, I’m not sure how I got a 4 on physics 1 but a 5 on c mech, as I believed c mech is harder topic-wise (though the curve is a lot less demanding). I assume it was because I blew off physics 1 and didn’t study much for it, focusing more on my other subjects. Since I got a 5 on mechanics, though, is it worth sending the 4 on physics 1 to colleges, or is it okay if I just send physics c? Does the algebra based exam really matter in the end?
Also, in case you were wondering, I will also be taking physics 2 this year and self studying for the C: E&M exams (my school doesn’t offer the physics c classes, lol).
Thanks!
!. No college requires that you send any AP scores for purpose of determining admission. (You need send official scores only after you accept admission and want to get college credit.)
- Many colleges will not use any of your AP test scores to determine admission even if you provide them.
- For those that do consider AP scores in determining admission (which includes most high rank colleges), you need not send official scores but can self-report the scores in the application.
- For those colleges that do consider AP scores, you should report all of yours because 4's are good scores -- they are likely to help, and will not hurt your chances of admission.
There’s some debate as to how much AP scores impact the admissions decision at top colleges. I’m of the opinion that it does not for the vast majority. Others may have different opinions. Obviously a string of 5’s will be viewed better than all 2’s, but beyond that, who knows.
The rest, I agree with. Certainly for the OP, I would report all the scores on the application, as they are all very good.
Do you think it will be problematic if I don’t submit physics 1 at all though, or would the c mechanics alone suffice? After all, they are very similar topic-wise, but c is more math-oriented.
Not required
You don’t have to report the Physics 1 score (or any scores for that matter). And your college will probably not give credit for both Physics 1 and Physics c. That said, a 4 is a great score, and I see no valid reason not to report it. For all you know, considering the AP Physics 1 class is on your transcript, the AO may just assume you got a 1.
If you’re freaking out about a 4, don’t. AP Physics 1 has the lowest percentage of 5’s of any AP exam. If you’re panicked about a 4, note that you will very likely get at least one grade lower than an A in college.
I figured the AO would assume I took only the c mech exam since I already had the calculus understanding and knew the material well from physics 1
They might think that. I doubt it, but it’s certainly possible. One never knows for sure what an AO may or may not think. That said, it’s also possible that if an AO is wondering, s/he may contact the GC for clarification, which has been known to happen.
I heard that colleges typically care more about physics c than 1 at least for engineering (which I am pursuing). Also, for apps like MIT they only let you put 12 exams so I don’t think I should include physics 1 as this would allow me to save space for other exams.
Clearly, you’re going to do what you want to do. But I will also add one more caveat.
It’s fine to maximize the space for AP courses in progress and then your best scores, but I would not save the space for a self-studied course in process. No college cares about those.
I know I said self studying and I apologize for that, but it really wasn’t… The physics 1 course taught me everything I needed to know for the exam.
In my last post, I was suggesting not listing E&M, since you will not have a score in time for admissions decisions.