Whether you should take physics 2 or C really depends on how well calculus clicks for you. Its risky because you havent taken calc yet. Physics 2 is the safer bet as it is algebra based. On the flip side physics C is the equivalent of first year physics for engineering students but generally you need a five to get ap credit. If you love physics go with c if you are hesitant go with two.
Indeed there are plenty of schools that will offer credit for Physics 1/2, however since it is algebra based it may end up only counting as elective credit. Calculus based physics will be required for engineering and most other STEM fields.
Jeepers! In DD’s high school Calculus BC is known for having three hours of homework a night, just for that class. You need to allow time for college applications, homework in other classes, EC’s, senioritis, etc. Otherwise you’ll be on the “Ask the Dean” thread spring 2020 worrying whether your school is going to rescind it’s offer because your transcript shows you bit off more than you could chew. I love that you are planning ahead, though! See how your junior year goes, and don’t be afraid to focus your AP efforts in the area you want to study.
Thank you all so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it. I hope to go pre-med. Calc BC is considered the second hardest AP at my school, but the AB teacher is just awful, and I’ve usually done pretty well at math, so I definitely will be going with BC. It seems that taking physics 2 and C is redundant, so which would look more impressive for a prospective pre med(Physics C being more challenging, and Physics 2 being more relevant)? Psych and CSP/CSA are kind of a joke at my school, even though we have a pretty decent pass rate, so I doubt I either class would give me a lot of trouble. I just wonder if adding an extra AP in the social sciences(which I really have no interest in, I prefer science and math) is really worth it.
Don’t take a class to impress; they won’t be,
@skieurope I guess… but given that my dream school is JHU, do you think that either would give me an edge?
No. That’s not how it works.
Not having a social science (even at regular level) would be a little detrimental since it’s a core class, but top colleges specifically say they don’t want kids who think ‘everything but the ap kitchen sink’ is a way to build a schedule. Or “it’s not a game of who has the most AP’s, wins”.
In terms of preparing you for college, physics 2 would be the most useful since it’s introduce you to the mandatory pre-med college sequence.
No AO is going to microanalyze your schedule course by course; they will look at it on a macro level, and will generally be content with whatever rigor rating your GC gives your course of study.
Between Physics C and Physics 2, the latter seems to be a better fit for your career objectives.
@MYOS1634 Since history is really not my strong suit (I had to struggle to get an A in honors world), would you recommend swapping Physics C for AP Psych?
Sure. Just make sure you have a social science, and it doesn’t have to be AP.
Sorry, that seems like you just threw darts all over the AP course list. Can you give a concise reason why you are taking each of those courses? It’s not for me, but for college admission reps. I took 9 APs, but that was because almost all of those teach skills at least somewhat related to my dream job of being a civil rights lawyer (except for AP Bio, but that was because I needed a third science course).
What do you want to major in? Based on that, I would probably say to cut down the APs a bit, unless you’re headed to Harvard or something. If you’re unhappy taking them, that’ll show in your grades.