<p>I want to major in Engineering.
I took AP Physics last year and got three 5's on Physics B,C's.
I also have good scores in maths & Science(800s in SAT1M,MIIC,SATIIPhysics), but not English(610s in Verbal&W, I came to USA in the end of 2003, from VN).
The rest of my applications are just too normal (little EC, if counted at all).
How rare is it to have all five's in AP Physics tests ??? Is Physics normally regarded as hardest AP ??? Will this be a catchy hook ???
My schools: Caltech, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, UCLA, &UCB.
What do you guys think ? My chance ?
Thank you for your thoughts.</p>
<p>anyone ???</p>
<p>Not much of a hook. At my high school biology and US history were regarded as the hardest APs.</p>
<p>Really? But I meant not for some high school, but for what people think generally.
That's why I want to ask you guys. My friends think Physics is, but my teachers thinks Chem is. For me, Bio is a little harder than physics B.</p>
<p>Excelling in Physics B and C is crucial for Engineering; it will be of great help, considering your major. That being said, it still would help if your Verbal was around 700. IMO, you have a good shot at UC Berkeley and UCLA (if you're in-state). Good luck.</p>
<p>I think you're totally in UCB and UCLA but MIT and Caltech are reaches. Even though they are totally into sciences, you still gotta really excel in everything including english. caltech's average SAT is 1510 and MIT's average is 1490... and I read that the "middle 50" of the admits have an 800 on the math, meaning the average on the verbal is about 700. </p>
<p>Then again I'm not really sure. you might make it... <em>shrug</em></p>
<p>1410 on SAT is really good universally but below average for those top-top schools.</p>
<p>I wish i got your scores on those tests tho.. I'm good at physics compared to everyone at my school but compared to students like you I suck. I got a 4 on the AP physics B exam (first 4 of my school, in fact) and a 690 on the physics SAT II. And on the SAT I math i got 760 and sat II math i got 770. I could have got 800 on both but i didnt bother retaking them. meh.</p>
<p>well, you'll find out soon enough! MIT results are mailed march 15th and UC berkeley and UCLA results are out by end of march. good luck =P</p>
<p>I think that if you loaded up on your EC's you probably have a good shot at one of those colleges and some sports because those colleges you've listed want the entire "package" in their student not just a "book-worm". Not that you are one though. But I mean theres thousands of people like you, and their trying to distinguish between by looking at everything. Personally, I joined an advisory group with youth activities in my neighborhood. You should look into that, its not only fun but its really good in terms of EC.</p>
<p>But the fact is that I've just been here for more than a year without any pre-knowledge about American edu-system. I joined the soccer team in Vn. Now, I still have problems listening and talking.
I did not talk about my activities in Vn, guess I was stupid doing the applications on my own without any real help. I hope that the adcoms would overlook my EC, hope so.
Thank u you guys.
Any other thought ?</p>
<p>hey i'm editing my post because i just realized that you're senior
although i'm not as smart as you are, i have similar stats/problmes like yours twi.
My college advisor said lacking of EC's can be overlooked considering the fact that you have been here for only about 1~2 years (am i right??)</p>
<p>by the way, do you have MSN??</p>
<p>I do, <a href="mailto:Orchidus@hotmail.com">Orchidus@hotmail.com</a>.
I realized that I had so many weak parts in the applications. When I was in VN, I did not study English so seriously(but the curriculum is too easy anyway, we have some books with basic conversations, just learn it). Furthermore, to get into colleges, I would have taken tests on Maths, Physics, and Chem. The results of these tests decide the admision, nothing else is concerned. So who would care to study English if he doesn't major in Social Science ?
I just hope my scores, and my personal circumstance will mean something to the schools.</p>
<p>^ In addition, harvard and Standford is a HUGE reach, if your EC's are truly weak.</p>
<p>At my school last year, a student was rejected who also wanted to major in engineering, and had AP Physics as a sophomore...got 5 on the test, and 800's. He was really praised at my school, but probably because of the young age. (I think, but then again, my school just praises anyone) Getting 5's on AP tests and corresponding 800's is NOT, I repeat, NOT a whole lot impressive hook in any way. Many get 5's and corresponding 800's, especially people who are applying to those schools you have listed.</p>
<p>Of the schools you listed, the ones I think yo uhave a chance in is UCLA and UCB.</p>
<p>Dont be too hard on him, Tami.
I think his AP Physics is somehow impressive to me.
Physics B to people is not so hard, SAT 2 Physics is not hard either, SAT maths is easy also. But to take Physics C s and get 5's is really wonderful, especially in E&M. Mechanics C is a little harder than B, but E& M requires a total diferent level of Physics. He must have already mastered fully Calculus BC and Mutivariables when he took it. Physics C require a fluent combination of Calculus and Physics.
Most of high schools offer only Physics B, or Physics C Mechanics, so the number of people who can get a combo like you is not so many. I mean rare.
Good job,man. U make me jealous.
I came from Seoul 3 years ago, with some background in Physics, but I have only a 4 in E&M. U must be really good. No wonder you will excel in your major.
But again, American system is annoying. They ask you to be involved. So I 'm not so sure about the giants.
I think you have good chance.</p>
<p>Thank you KR_mud. My school offers Physics B, I studied Physics C on my own. It was hard indeed.</p>
<p>Thnk u u guys .May I hear from another expert ?</p>
<p>Physics being hardest? From my personal experiences...I've only taken 4 AP classes, the hardest ones are: AP US History and AP Chemistry. They're both very do-able, but AP Physics and AP Calculus were both jokes.</p>
<p>maybe it just depends on the person's view.</p>
<p>SnP2K: Oh yah? you dont know what you're talking. Get some more experience first, boy!</p>
<p>kr_mud : y r u so offensive ? SNP2K has his oppinion, nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>Get more experience? I don't need any more experience. I have already gone through those courses, I know what they're like. I don't need some punk-ass kid getting on my case about how "I need more experience." It's not my fault you happened to flunk out of AP Calculus and AP Physics. Take your anger out on yourself for slacking off all year when you should have been studying.</p>
<p>it depends on the school. also, notice that he self studied physics C, so that's harder than just taking the class, so what perceptions of difficulty aren't the same. that's real impressive, shows initiative etc. when you apply for college, maybe mentioning something about how you self studied would help your chances, they'll see that you're motivated.</p>