Can't take AP Physics C, will it affect me?

Applying to College
1

Hi, I would really love some advice on my situation. I am a senior and am looking to major in STEM in the future. This year my school wouldn’t let me take AP Physics C because I registered late and the class is ‘full’ -_- I know it’s my fault but still pretty pissed…so my only option is to take AP Physics 1, which many people already took in junior or sophomore year. My question is, will this negatively affect me in admissions at selective schools (Cornell, Duke, Dartmouth, etc.)? I don’t want colleges to think I was afraid to take Physics C. Also, any tips for getting into a full class??

2

Please help, I’ve been driving myself insane thinking about this…

3

You can ask your guidance counselor if he/she would mention in his/her recommendation that you were closed out of AP Physics C.

4

Colleges will not hold it against you- they understand that scheduling conflicts happen and they are not the student’s fault. I would just ask your guidance counselor to mention it.

5

Do you think I should make up for the lack of the class by taking AP Lit? Normally I wouldn’t consider it but now I’m not so sure.

6

And thanks for the advice you guys, I think I’ll ask my counselor to possibly include it somewhere, just can’t decide about Lit though. ugh I hate this…

7

Do I need to make up for not having Physics C’s rigor in my courses by taking more AP’s?

8

Have you taken any physics yet? AP Physics C is intended as a second year of physics. If not, AP Physics 1 is a college level class and is appropriate. If you are taking AP Physics 1 I would not add more AP classes.

9

I haven’t taken any physics yet. The thing is, at our school for some reason AP Physics C isn’t too hard, I think it’s the way the teacher teaches or the class is structured, but most people (with or without prior physics) do well, like A’s and A minuses. I’ve even heard from friends that in some ways Physics 1 is harder than C…so I guess I’m just upset that I have to take a course that might be looked down upon by colleges (relatively) when it might even be a little harder.

10

I’m afraid I’ll damage my chances of admission if I don’t have the class and/or if I don’t add more AP’s. Our school is so competitive I don’t even know what to do…some people take 5, 6 AP’s from sophomore to senior year, sometimes even freshman year. So I just feel really anxious about anything that might put me down or place me lower.