<p>Is it a bad idea to drop AP Physics and take it in the spring semester at a community college? This would allow me to focus more on college apps and SAT subject test studying. I would be taking the physics class at a CC during 2nd semester, so I will have plenty of time to study for the class. Do colleges, especially the UCs, not like to see this? I am a senior btw.</p>
<p>That you are taking AP physics fall semester increases the rigor of your coursework. Colleges take course rigor into account when evaluating your transcript. So taking AP physics has a positive impact on your application. This is assuming you get a good grade – ideally an A.</p>
<p>Taking physics in spring semester at a CC would have no positive impact on your application. Take it for the sake of personal growth and knowledge.</p>
<p>You could put it down on Spring semester course listing of the college applications.</p>
<p>I don’t think it will deceases the rigor of coursework. Just make sure you know what to take: college physics or university physics at the community college.</p>
<p>@fogcity, you can list the CC physics class in the UC App(not usre about common app) so colleges will still be able to see that I took physics</p>
<p>@4kidsdadWhat do you mean by “Just make sure you know what to take: college physics or university physics at the community college”? Whats the difference? I was just planningto take a General Physics class at a cc.</p>
<p>Is it a bad idea to drop AP Physics and take it in the spring semester at a community college?
Yes. It is probably a bad idea. First of all, the rigor of your Sr level classes is really important to admissions officers. Second it is a full year class, and you wont learn everything on the AP test in one semester at College. And two, you will lose the opportunity to get college credit for the AP test, if you dont take it or do poorly on it.[ i.e a score of 4-5] However, if you have already taken 4 years of Science classes with labs, including another AP science class such as AP Chem or AP Bio, it wont have as negative an impact as not having taken ANY AP science class. </p>
<p>Do colleges, especially the UCs, not like to see this?
Correct.</p>
<p>menloparkmom, It’s a college class, so I will be getting college credit.</p>
<p>OP, If you majoring in Physics or Engineering in college, you should be taking the Univ. Physics at the community college. If you majoring in something else, General Physics will be fine.</p>
<p>I’m assuming you’re doing the “dual enrollment” at your local community college?</p>
<p>will that college credit show up on your HS transcript? Have you gotten permission from your HS counselor to drop the AP Class? He has to write the letter off recommendation, and if he does not check the “most rigorous” box" regarding the level of classes you in HS, it may negatively impact your admissions chances, compared to other students who did take AP Physics.</p>
<p>So does taking General Physics at a CC, instead of AP Physics really look bad to colleges? I am still taking physics, so it’s not like I never took Physics.</p>
<p>the question that college admissions officers will ask is WHY you are NOT taking a Physics class the FIRST semester of your SR year? SAYING you are GOING to take one in the Spring at a college just does not cut it, unless there is a major scheduling conflict that prevents you from taking it and your college counselor will confirm that if asked. you put yourself at a serious disadvantage when thousands of other seniors ARE taking AP Physics or some other YEAR LONG AP Science class their senior year.</p>
<p>Let’s be clear about terminology since a juco offers classes at multiple levels. A physics course taken at a juco that is transferable to UC can be the rough equivalent of AP physics (assuming it’s a double block course).</p>
<p>But the question, OP, is what you would do instead? (Having more time to complete college apps is not a good answer.) If you drop AP Physics, and your course load drops to four academic classes in the first semester of senior year, no college will be impressed, including UC. But, if you are dropping from say, 7 academic classes to 6, it would not likely be much of an issue.</p>
<p>The other thing that your plan does is deprive you of another first semester grade by which to impress adcoms. If you are on the bubble for UC, your app could go thru Augmented Review, and they can ask for first semester grades.</p>