<p>That is something I should consider. If I can get a 3, a school like UGA would give me credit. I also wouldn’t have to take as many science classes which would be great.</p>
<p>Although you indicate it’s challenging to make a good counseling connection at your HS, I encourage you to drop by this week, see if you can sit down and talk with someone on the spot or make an appointment to do so ASAP. GCs love working with motivated students like you! Unfortunately, many schools are understaffed in the counseling department, so help for freshmen and sophomores can seem nonexistent. If you look at it that way and realize you’re now at that point where they should give you the attention you deserve, you can go in with a fresh outlook and aim of establishing a positive connection with a counselor who’ll work for you! </p>
<p>Note, even though the school has implemented a new “no drop” rule, it seems reasonable to anticipate there is flexibility within the counseling department to work with juniors to insure they’ve developed the appropriate college prep plan for jr and sr years. And your recent receipt of a low AP score is compelling proof you need help and guidance. </p>
<p>You are not succeeding with AP testing so far, which means you need to figure out why. Do you need more support with testing performance generally? Is Honors-level a better fit for you than AP? Do the majority of your classmates make 4’s and 5’s, indicating the school’s AP courses adequately prepare students for the tests, or do most score 2’s and 3’s, indicating the coursework isn’t up to snuff? (The school will have this data, you just have to ask for it. Obviously, they aren’t going to readily admit the courses aren’t adequate if the 2’s and 3’s scenario applies; but if you learn that fact, it is a signal to you that you will have to invest money and time in outside AP test materials to get better scores.) Bottom line, as you’ve recognized, it’s critical you find the right balance between rigor and grades. </p>
<p>All in all, you really need an experienced, careful review of your transcript and what courses at your school are best suited for you the next two years, as well as assistance with the development of realistic college goals based on past/expected performance and curriculum choices.</p>
<p>You’re doing a great job identifying concerns and trying to figure out how to address them. Good luck!</p>
<p>Here’s is the reality of the situation.</p>
<p>-You say that math/sciences are your weak points and humanities are your strong points
-With humanities as your strong points, you only managed as 3 (on one of the easiest AP tests given) and a 2 on AP tests
-If those exams are in the areas where you show the most strength, than how do you honestly think that AP Physics is going to work out for you?</p>
<p>While focusing on AP Physics, how are you going to find the time to keep up the grades in your other subjects? </p>
<p>Also, I recommend that you ask to see a transcript from your school. In my experience, schools don’t simply add 10 points to the grade of an AP Class. In our district, the actual grade earned in the class is on the transcript. The points for weighting are only expressed in the “Weighted Cumulative GPA” on the transcript (one number). The transcript shows both the unweighted cumulative GPA and the weighted cumulative GPA. </p>
<p>GPA and SAT/ACT scores need to be strong. Also, GPA is relative to the rest of your class.
A GPA of 87 at one school is not the same as a GPA of 87 at another school. If a GPA of 87 puts you in the top 10% of your class, excellent. If a GPA of 87 puts you in the top 50% of your class, it’s not as impressive. Do you see what I mean?</p>
<p>AP classes are wonderful in that they challenge the students that aren’t being challenged in the regular classes. They offer students the ability to get some of the general ed. credits out of the way if the students perform well on the AP exams and if the specific college accepts AP credits for the classes. However, if the AP classes bring down the GPA of the student in question, it could backfire on him when it comes time to apply to colleges. </p>
<p>latichever, it’s great that your son did well on his AP exams. Please don’t assume that this translates into being able to graduate early. If he plans on being a science major, he should not skip the Intro classes in Math or Science by using his AP credits. One of the main benefits of having a good number of AP credits accepted by the college comes into play when registering for classes. The students with more credits under their belt, get to register for classes sooner and choose from a better selection of classes/sections. </p>
<p>Taking AP classes at the expense of a solid GPA may backfire for this OP. </p>
<p>early-college, Do you honestly think you are going to score high enough on the AP Physics test for colleges to give you credit? You scored a 3 on one of the easiest AP test given (many colleges don’t even accept AP Human Geo credits) and a 2 on non-science AP exams (which you say is your strength). At many schools, in order to get credit for AP Physics, one must score a 4 which is difficult for even the best science/math students. Even if you do put in the time to do this, how is it going to effect the rest of your classes?</p>
<p>You obviously feel that you can handle it. However, I would suggest re-evaluating and possibly dropping the course for the sake of your overall GPA.</p>
<p>Trigonometry that is taught with geometry isn’t quite at the level that is taught when you’re learning precalculus.</p>
<p>I think the above poster is giving you some stuff to think about. In my opinion, I’d say don’t take physics. It’s pretty difficult for people who aren’t either interested or interested in putting a lot of time into it. If your math is lacking (since you haven’t/aren’t taking trig with precalc) then you will definitely have some work to do.</p>
<p>I will admit that I do not study as hard as I should have for AP Exams. I do everything required in class and did study a little, but I didn’t do enough obviously. I thought I did great on the AP Exam. I crammed everything right before the exam. At my school, we have about a 50% pass rate on AP exams. I am not great at standardized tests, look at my PSAT score. But I know lots of people who did the same on the AP Exam this year and got the same grade in the class. </p>
<p>I am in the top 25% of my class and my school doesn’t have a weighted rank, I would be higher ranked if we did. I have seen my transcript and the ten points are added. It is a county policy and not a school policy. My school takes off the ten points when doing your GPA and adds .5. The 10 points is basically useless and doesn’t help you. My % average is an 88%. I am pretty sure my cumulative average is weighted on my transcript. There is only one GPA, a % average, and a rank on my transcript. </p>
<p>I know a lot of kids taking AP classes. I know one kid who is taking five AP classes (AP Bio, AP Cal, AP Lang, AP US, AP Physics) and most kids are taking two or three AP classes. My school isn’t really fair either. One gifted kid didn’t get into AP Lang and they let him take the test over and he got in. They wouldn’t let anyone else do that. My teacher said it was false, but the kid told everyone this. </p>
<p>I feel like by dropping AP Physics, it will distinguish my chances at schools like NYU. If I took AP Lit, AP Environmental Science, and AP Macro/Govern my senior year, would that be too much? I want to have good chances at some top schools. I worked my butt of last year and my GPA went up three points.</p>
<p>I also will have to study for the SAT/ACT which I plan on taking in January/February of 2011. I will retake the test I did better on in May/June. French is a struggle for me and I will have to study harder this year. French II is suppose to be the hardest.</p>
<p>To the above poster, I have to take physics. If I drop down, I am still required to take physics. I have to take biology, chemistry, physics, and an elective science to graduate.</p>
<p>Despite its reputation, there’s a lot more to UGA than football and partying. With an undergraduate population of 30,000, surely you’ll be able to find plenty of people and organizations that share your interests. When I applied to UGA, I had never attended a football game - now, I’ve attended exactly one at UGA but I enjoyed the school spirit and atmosphere. If you decide that isn’t what you want, however, don’t worry. </p>
<p>As for AP tests, I’d strongly recommend taking as many as you possibly can. UGA is probably one of the most generous schools around in terms of credit granted - I’m starting with 30 hours and I know many people who will begin with 40 to 50 credit hours. Some of my classmates who only took one or two AP tests are now kicking themselves because they have hardly any credit.</p>
<p>Even if you choose not to attend UGA, a rigorous curriculum will be a big plus in admissions.</p>
<p>I remember one of your threads in the past. It’s nice to see that you’re doing well.</p>
<p>It’s impossible to be sure how things work at your particular school, but I have serious concerns about AP Physics in your situation. I have read some very disturbing comments about the integrated math curriculum in GA and I do not believe that you are adequately prepared. If you don’t even like science, there isn’t much of a reason to take the course.</p>
<p>I think UGA is a fantastic option in your case. There are still reasons to take AP courses (college credit, intellectual challenge, etc.) even if you end up there. There will be all kinds of people on that large of a campus.</p>
<p>Start AP studying earlier next year.</p>
<p>I was going to do dual enrollment, but if I decided to go out of state it wouldn’t be worth it. That is why I didn’t do dual enrollment. If I was going to UGA, it probably would be worth it. I could do that my senior year, but if I decide to go to a private school it would be worthless. </p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback everyone!</p>
<p>Edit- I just read your post noimagination. I am doing much better. I was in a totally different situation last year. I am still debating if I should drop it or not. UGA wouldn’t be the ideal school, but it may be worth it because of the Hope Scholarship. It will save my parents a ton of money. I could also save money for graduate school. I plan on being a print journalist. If I went to New York or LA, I would have more internships though.</p>
<p>My daughter’s school allows students to take AP physics without having taken a prior physics class but only if they have already taken AP calculus or are taking AP calculus simultaneously. I honestly think you will have a hard time with AP physics if you haven’t had more math. If I were your mom, I would insist that your guidance counselor let you change to regular physics. There is no point in taking an AP course if it is going to be over your head.</p>
<p>According to my teacher, AP Physics C is the calculus based course and AP Physics B is more simple math.</p>
<p>You probably should take Calculus if you are taking AP Physics C. The teacher still has to look at your record and say if she thinks you should take it or not.</p>
<p>When we have orientation I am going to ask the teacher her thoughts. If she suggests I drop down then I will.</p>
<p>I self-studied AP Physics B at the same time as I took Algebra 2 in the 2009-2010 school year, and I earned a 5. You don’t really need super advanced math skills for this AP exam. All that is required is:</p>
<ul>
<li>you need to be comfortable with algebraic manipulation at the Algebra 1 level; you don’t need to solve polynomials, use summation notation, find arithmetic sequences, or any of that stuff. At most, you might need to solve a quadratic with particularly messy numbers.</li>
<li>you need to know the definitions of the main trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent - SOH CAH TOA)</li>
<li>there is some usage of vectors, but the usage in this exam is not very difficult to understand if you can draw some arrows and use the definitions of trig functions</li>
</ul>
<p>Mostly, all the math you do is solving for some variable in an equation and plugging the rest of the numbers in.</p>
<p>What you really need from math is problem-solving ability. This is essential if you want to do well on the free response section. If you aren’t good with word problems, you will be by the end of this course, or else you won’t do well. Study the examples in your books carefully and get a problem book if you need to.</p>
<p>Thanks, that makes me good and I already learned SOH CAH TOA.</p>
<p>Really the safest thing you can do is buy an AP Physics B book and flip through it over the summer. Try and learn a few concepts. The worst that could come out of it is that you’re more prepared for it during the year. If you find that there are some things you can’t do, then try to find out why. If it so happens that it’s the basis of a lot of concepts then you know what you should do.</p>
<p>Plus it will build your confidence for it when you take the class. The key to physics is making sure you know your stuff because a lot of other things build on the early things and reference to them a lot, especially free-response problems.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>