<p>Does anybody recommend using AP credits for Calc I, II, and Physics I/II? I've heard many people say they are weeder classes and will really mess up your GPA. Right now I am in independent study AP Calc BC and have pulled straight 5's on all my tests this year; I think my grade is around 97%. Also, I'm in independent study AP Physics C and I just pulled another 5 today; my grade in there is 94%.</p>
<p>I'm pretty confident that I will score 5's on the tests, but I'm just curious if I should use the credit. I'm also thinking about taking Calc III at a local community college so I can get out of that class.</p>
<p>I'm hoping that getting out of these classes will give me more free time to focus on my other classes. And, it will save my GPA.</p>
<p>I'm going to be majoring in MechE next year and I want to graduate with at least a 3.5 GPA. I want it to be about that high because I'm doing Air Force ROTC to get a pilot slot.</p>
<p>If you are getting 5's on the AP tests there is no reason to think you can't get an A in the class at U-M. These classes should actually be GPA boosters for you. If anything, do the applied honors sequence. I did BC in high school and started out with II Applied Honors, wasn't too hard and I got an A.</p>
<p>That's what I was thinking also. Here, I could be getting out of classes that could possibly boost my GPA. I've just heard from people that Calc I and II at UofM is killer, even for those who have received 5's.</p>
<p>I definitely recommend the Applied Honors sequence to you...the work is actually a bit less than the regular class, curve is more generous. I got a 4 on the AP test and got an A in Applied Honors II.</p>
<p>As for classes like Chem, Physics, etc. Definitely take intro chem here...simple stuff. I took AP Physics class in high school, but not the AP test and my teacher wasn't too good, got an A- in the class (probably my best achievement at U-M, it was tough!).</p>
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Does anybody recommend using AP credits for Calc I, II, and Physics I/II?
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<p>I would stay as far away as possible from Physics. 140/240 are both tough "weeder" type classes here, especially for engineers. I had more trouble in 240 than any other class I've taken. If you insist on taking these classes over again, take the honors versions. I took 160 and that was fairly easy. 260 has a very difficult reputation, but at least the grading is generous in these classes.</p>
<p>Really, the further you go in your major classes, the better the grading tends to be. There's no good reason why you want to revisit classes you are already very comfortable with. And if you have a strong background in math and physics, you'll probably do well in your major classes anyway.</p>
<p>tetrahedr0n, do you think if I hate physics, I should probably stay away from EECS? I'm taking EECS 215 this semester but I am considering switching over to IOE to avoid all of the e & m stuff.</p>
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tetrahedr0n, do you think if I hate physics, I should probably stay away from EECS?
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<p>Heck no. I don't particularly care for physics either, but I like EECS a lot. So if you're on the CS or CE side of things, you won't ever touch E&M. If you're on the EE side of it like I am, you'll have to take one class that uses E&M concepts a lot, and not suprisingly that's EMAG I (EECS 230). But don't worry about it, EECS is very large and it isn't physics.</p>
<p>I highly recommend you take the credits if you can. Calculus is on a curve and its not even taught like a high school class at all -- best case it boosts your GPA, worst case it totally screws you over. Why bother with something you already know when you can take other classes that'll be something more interesting, more challenging, or just have more time to focus on your other courses?</p>
<p>I kinda feel like you should go for the GPA boosters...everyone has to go through Calc I, II, etc. you might as well get a higher grade than them. Taking tougher classes gets you to the same spot in the end, maybe with a lower GPA.</p>
<p>I'm still stuck on what to do. I want to make sure I have a good foundation for higher level math classes but I don't want to get a poor grade just because the teacher's curves suck.</p>
<p>I was hoping to take Calc III at a community college in the summer, so then I'd only have 2 math courses at umich. I would be going into college with 22 credits, so this would give me a bunch of free time to focus on my other classes.</p>
<p>I took Math 115 last semester after getting a 5 on Calc AB and it was a very easy A for me. 116 doesn't seem like it will be that difficult, either, though I know others might not feel the same way. I would suggest taking 116 so that you can get used to the way math is taught at Michigan since it is quite different than what you may be used to in high school.</p>
<p>Physics has a bad reputation here. I got a 5 on Mechanics and took the credit but a 4 on E & M so I'm in the class now. Can't really tell yet if it will be as hard as everyone says it is, but I'm not that worried since I have had all the material before. If you do pull of the 5 on E & M, though, I would suggest taking the credit instead of the class because intro chem/physics classes are evil 5 credit hour classes that take up all of your time even if the material is not that hard. (Chem met for 8 hours a week...ick.)</p>