<p>Would taking an online physics class through EPGY count for Caltech's 1-year physics requirement?</p>
<p>If it's not flaky (the equivalent of Phys B or C preferably, or at least the equivalent of a typical Honors Physics course) then it would be fine.</p>
<p>How would one go about demonstrating that EPGY physics isn't flaky? EPGY uses standard physics tests: Giancoli and <em>Spacetime Physics</em> for Physics B, and Tipler for Physics C. My son says EPGY tests are uniformly more challenging than the AP tests. (The problem statements are more interesting, too.) My guess is that EPGY physics is at least as challenging as most AP courses. Would sending the EPGY course description suffice, or would something additional be required?</p>
<p>The course description will be fine, as long as it is reasonably thorough and mentions the topics studied in some detail.</p>
<p>hi Ben,</p>
<p>i am going to be a junior and i will be taking ap physics C, calc BC and ap comp sci next year. Shall i take any addition EPGY courses during my junior year? or shall i take it in the summer after my junior year? Can u give me some suggestions please?</p>
<p>It seems you'll be busy enough with some nice and demanding courses. Leave the EPGY stuff for the summer. Better yet, don't forget to apply for RSI and the other excellent summer programs that will expose you to new learning and great research.</p>
<p>: )
Ben</p>
<p>Mr. Golub,
As a rising senior, I have yet to take AP Calc BC (took AB sophomore year, didn't take BC junior cause of schedule conflict and took two AP sciences instead) and have heard you mention in a previous post about the detriment it would cause me. Although I have it in my courseload for senior year, due to our high school block schedule, the class doesn't actually start until 2nd semester which is after both RD and EA applications are due, meaning there will be no grade report for the subject. </p>
<p>I was wondering if completing the EPGY program would make up for the detriment, and if so, which course should i take? Thanks in advance for any help.</p>
<p>You won't be penalized for waiting until senior year to take Calc BC, and it's not your fault the school will be offering it second term. Your AB grades will provide evidence of your ability in calculus. If I recall correctly, my comments in another thread were more along the lines of explaining that Calculus BC wasn't unusual in our applicant pool to someone who thought it would give them extra points. Or maybe I was saying that having no calculus at all when you apply early probably means a deferral, not because something is wrong with you but because we'd like to see the grade. But since you will have had AB, you have nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>In short, don't take the EPGY course in calc unless you really want to for some other reason, and if that's the case then I'd recommend one of the courses in more advanced math/physics if you like that sort of thing and can convince them you have the prereqs. But you shouldn't be concerned about Calc BC hurting your chances. It almost certainly won't.</p>