<p>Someone I know says she's going to take a physics class at a cc this summer before she takes the AP class next fall (she's a sr.) By doing this she says she'll do better.
Is this advisable? Would the colleges she applies to frown on this?</p>
<p>She should be aware that when she applies to college, she will be required to submit transcripts from any college where she has taken a course. I don’t know whether colleges will frown on what she’s doing, but they will be aware of it.</p>
<p>Why would a college frown on it? She’s not cheating.</p>
<p>I do not think a college will care. Community college physics would probably be similar to AP Physics B; I think it will be easier than regular AP physics. It would be a helpful prep for a regular AP physics class. I don’t really think it’s a good use of time - taking EITHER community college physics OR AP physics is more sensible - but I don’t think it would be “frowned upon.”</p>
<p>Is there a reason to take AP Physics after taking community college physics? Free up a spot to take another class…now that might be an advantage.</p>
<p>Since cc classes not only are weighted in our district, but are obviously transferable, I don’t see the point. If she went to my son’s high school, it would seem redundant…</p>
<p>If you’re going to invest extra time and effort, it would be more productive to buy an AP Physics study guide and invest the effort in studying that.</p>
<p>It’s hard to imagine any college frowning on any student devoting part of their summer to a college-level class. I don’t see how it can hurt admissions chances, but as other point out, it may not be a very productive use of time and money.</p>
<p>I was thinking the same thing - a waste of time. Thanks for your replies</p>
<p>She also needs to be aware that the CC grade may stay with her forever. For instance professional schools such as medical school, and possible graduate schools, will calculate that grade into her GPA when she applies.</p>
<p>For the cost of a cc class, she could probably have 10-12 hours of private tutoring in physics. When my son self studied physics as a homeschooled 9th grader, he got to a point in his studies when he really felt the need for a teacher. He had 8 or 9 weekly sessions with a local grad student- for $25 per hour. It made all the differenence for him.</p>
<p>I think the student is a better judge of what is a waste of her time. Perhaps this is a plan she came up with to deal with the anxiety this subject provokes for her. </p>
<p>I’ve done things that I’m sure others would consider a waste of time before certain classes but they helped me feel confident and ready. So, for me, they were a very good use of my time.</p>
<p>Audit the class (if allowed).</p>
<p>To be honest, I took basic chemistry three times (once in high school, once during a summer in college, again in my freshman year of college). I did reasonably well grade-wise in each of the courses, but I don’t think I really understood any of it until that third time.</p>
<p>For some of us, repetition and repackaging of concepts leads to greater understanding. If it’s a difficult subject, there is no reason not to devote extra time to prepare for it. As others have said, there are other ways to use the money and time, but some people really do benefit from in-class instruction and the motivation of a grade.</p>
<p>YMMV.</p>