<p>So I'll be a freshman next year majoring in aerospace engineering. In about 2 weeks I have my AP physics C test that as of right now I won't get a five on(bc it's senior year and I've slacked hard) but I could cram and get at least 1 five. </p>
<p>Do you think it's worth it? Like if I don't know the material 100% next year and I take the credit isn't going to just hurt me more? I ask because my parents are pressuring me to save $.</p>
<p>Hey I’m in a similar position as you, haven’t been doing so hot in Calc this year and going to UIUC as a freshman this fall for CS-Engineering 
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<p>Obviously I don’t know firsthand about the difficulty of the Engineering program, but personally my opinion is that you need to think about why you are having difficulty: is it because you aren’t studying enough or do you truly have trouble understanding the material? If you end up doing well on the AP test and take the credit, just make sure that you can learn the material on your own (to be safe, before the fall semester starts) with a reasonable amount of time and effort. If you are struggling for some other reason, retake the class in UIUC and get a solid grasp on the basics. (I’ll probably be retaking basic Calc, I don’t feel comfortable taking the credit even if I do get a 5 somehow) Probably better to spend some extra time and money to prevent future troubles or overworking yourself rather than taking the next level, doing poorly, and digging yourself into a GPA hole.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>One of the things you do to prepare for summer registration is to take placement tests, one of which, for engineering students, is the physics placement test. While you can brush up and attempt to eek out a higher score, it’s really not to your advantage to do so. It gives you a pretty good idea of where you might want to start in the required physics sequence. While getting AP credit and saving money is certainly a consideration, your preparation for your program’s core courses is more imporatant, as is your overall GPA. Many people call the required Physics, Calc, and Chemistry sequences “weed-out” courses. That is not their intent. However, starting mid sequence due to AP, or placement test credit, added to the fact that the transition to the doubling of presentation speed at the college level (one college semester = one HS year) is difficult for many new students, especially making that first semester adjustment. Some students start later in the sequences and do well, others wish they would have started with the complete physics sequence even though the placed out of say PHYS 211. Just something to think about. Also, remember that getting accepted into UIUC Engineering means you’re a top student. That goes for everyone admitted. Half those top HS students will be at or above average in their class, and, well, due to the law of averages, the other half won’t. The curriculum is challenging. As an engineer, you’ll be studying while many others will have some free time on their hands. You can do it, and have plenty of free time on your own, but you need to be organized, and take advantage of office hours offered by your professors.</p>
<p>My son is going into his senior year in Aerospace Engineering. He’s doing well, just built a UAV, and I can’t understand a word he says when I ask him what he’s doing in class. He hadn’t had Physics since his Sophomore year in HS, so started with the Physics refresher, subsequently got nothing less than a B+ in the sequence, and, well, he’s designing and building planes now, and is set to graduate on time after completing his 4th year at UIUC.</p>
<p>If I were you, as long as you have a decent understanding of the main principles, I would use the AP credit to get out of calc. i and ii. However, I would without a doubt sign up for Phys 211 and Phys 212. These courses are very well taught and a deep understanding in them will be crucial for you as an Aero E. Moreover, if you were to not take 211 or 212 and didn’t hit AP Physics C out of the park, you will not be ready for any of the classes in your major and will have to pay the piper by your sophomore. My advice, unless your family’s on food stamps, take Phys 211 and 212.</p>
<p>anyone else that can chime in? Nice to get several views.</p>
<p>Interestingly I took my physics an Calc exams and this is what I will probably do : Take the BC credit and start at Calc 3 bc this level of Calc is just a breeze for me. Physics on the other hand I don’t think I got the 5s required to receive credit so ill probably start off with 211 & 212.</p>
<p>Still it’s going to be my first semester and I don’t want put myself in a hole…can any engineers give me what their first semester course load was like??( physics Calc chem and eng?)</p>
<p>first year is all the basic science classes. you’ll take one, maybe two, actual engineering classes.</p>