<p>Hi, I can't decide which physics course to take to fulfill my pre-med requirement and to help me on the MCAT.</p>
<p>I think the proper course for me would be Physics 103, which I would place into with my 5 on AP Physics B. I also received a 4 on AP Physics C Mech. But I've heard such awful things about Physics 103 and I'm sorry but I have to protect my GPA. So should I go with 101 or will I be able to handle 105? </p>
<p>Note that my Physics C "class" was just a bunch of kids who all sat around doing nothing for a year. The teacher was too lazy to come up with an actual class so he just gave us all A's and let us self study if we wanted. Since a lot of good friends of mine were in that class, we just fooled around most of the time.</p>
<p>Anyway, Physics 101 would probably be the easiest for the grade, but I'm also afraid I'd be least prepared for the MCATs by taking Physics 101 (which I'm sure I already know most of).</p>
<p>Also, does Princeton have any policies that disallow students from taking a course that he is overly qualified for?</p>
<p>If you are interested enough in Physics go ahead and take 103, but if you only need it for your pre-med requirements take 101. That's what most pre-meds (at least the ones that aren't engineers or science majors) that I know have done.</p>
<p>Most of the premeds I know take 101, but I've heard that it has a tough curve as a result. 103 is basically the same as a good Physics C course. Since the MCAT doesn't require calculus based physics, 101 will prepare you adequately.</p>
<p>103 is a really, really awful class. If you really love physics and are good at it, take 105. If you're only taking it for premed reqs, take 101.</p>
<p>I have a question about this too. I wanna take 105 but I haven't taken physics C, instead, I studied physics C by myself. So should I take the departmental placement test in the orientation week, or just take 103 and wait till I pass the qualification test for 105??? </p>
<p>I don't think the exam during orientation has placement up to 105 (just 103), but I could be wrong. From what I've heard, everyone simply enrolls in 103 (even the course listing tells you to enroll in 103 if you have interest in 105).</p>
<p>I would actually disagree with most of the posters on the board. I am pre-med and took physics 103-104 during my sophomore year (which you might consider). First semesters it was one of 4 sciences, and second one of three. I also came in with less preparation than you, not having taken an E and M. I can say unequivocally that I would take 103 over the other two any day. I feel that the calculus based approach, while slight overkill for a pre-med (unless you, say, want to go into a hard science), will prepare you for the type of trickery you will see on the MCAT extremely well (I am writing it in 6 days). It is far from impossible to do well in the class, while I have heard that the curve in 101 is brutal, and that 105 will occupy your life, and take away time from your other, equally important, science classes. Assuming you are relatively good at math (which you seem to be), I would say 103 is the best choice.</p>
<p>First off, you don't have to decide until you get to Princeton and speak with your advisor. You will also have an opportunity to talk to some of the upperclassmen in the physics department during orientation. The physics website explains how 105 works. You sign up for a section of 103 that will meet at the same time as 105. After 2 1/2 weeks you will have an interview during which they review your quizzes and problem sets and your high school scores and grades. They will tell you if you qualify for 105. Also, by that time you have an idea of what 103 is like and you can still drop down to 101 if you want to.</p>
<p>One of my S's friends was told that he qualified for 105, but decided to stay in 103 and regretted it. He thought 105 was a much more interesting class and was bored in 103.</p>
<p>My S only had Physics B in high school, but took 105 and 106 and did very well. It didn't take over his life. However, he's extremely good at math which helped him a lot with doing the problem sets more quickly.</p>
<p>In addition to problem sessions, there are individual peer tutors who are available to help students in the McGraw study hall. </p>
<p>105 has problem sessions, so the students work together. I think that McGraw also tutors 105, since they now tutor integrated which is supposed to cover 105-106, but I'm not sure. I would start in 103 and see how it is, you can always drop down in the first couple of weeks.</p>
<p>PHY 101, if it is taught like it has been the past few years, is high pressure because of the number of premeds and because there's a quiz every week. I recommend PHY 105 if you're willing to put in the extra time because it's much more interesting, better taught, and you're with people who truly enjoy physics. PHY 103, though dry at times, is better than PHY 101. And yes, the McGraw Center is an amazing resource for introductory physics.</p>
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I dont think mcgraw officially covers 105 but there are certainly tutors there who are qualified to to do so.
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<p>You're right that McGraw doesnt' officially support physics beyond 103. Cookieson will be a math/physics tutor in McGraw this year, He's a senior, so he can tutor well beyond the basic classes. He was told to expect a lot of requests for physics.</p>