<p>Background</p>
<p>Self-studied Physics B last year in 10th grade, got a 5, and self-studying Physics C this year. Possible majors include math, physics, and CS. Doing research in an astrophysics lab this summer.</p>
<p>Dilemma</p>
<p>My school's Physics C class (which is going to be offered for the first time next year) requires a physics class as a prerequisite, despite the course catalog only mentioning calculus as a corequisite. An AP exam score won't work, according to my friends who have self-studied Physics B and asked the teacher for approval. So no physics class for me at school because I don't really want to do physics without calculus.</p>
<p>Assuming I get 5s on both parts of Physics C, should I</p>
<p>1) take Mechanics and [E&M and/or Diff Eq depending on my school] at the local CC (repeating Physics C material) for free or
2) take Light and Heat and Modern Physics with Stanford's EPGY program for $1295?</p>
<p>(Taking a post-E&M course at a college is not an option due to scheduling for local colleges' courses.)</p>
<p>The advantages of the CC option are that</p>
<ul>
<li>it costs less. The cost of the EPGY option isn't a gigantic sum for our family, but with application fees, a summer program, and AP exams to pay for (not to mention college tuition...), it's worth considering.</li>
<li>it will be more credible due to being on a physical (no pun intended) college campus</li>
<li>it will help me review for Fnet=ma, which qualifies you for USPhO semifinals</li>
<li>it's easier to be disciplined when you have a problem set due in class or an exam the next day (as opposed to being in a self-paced online course)</li>
</ul>
<p>The disadvantage of the CC option is that it will cover material that I already know, and I want to venture deeper into physics. Taking the EPGY option might serve as further evidence for depth of curriculum and interest in physics; it also jives with my transcript, which will have no precalculus or calculus between Algebra 2 and Multivariable Calculus due to a desire for not repeating anything that I already have down (no skipping grades in math without an AP score).</p>
<p>Which option would be better for college admissions?</p>