Should I be worried?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
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<p>I got into Caltech EA, but I'm worried that since I haven't touched calculus in 2 years (did BC in 10th grade) haven't taken diffeq or linear algrebra and finished Physics C & B last year (forgot almost all of e/m, fluids, etc just about everything except mechanics) that I'll have a hard time with placement exams and or adjusting. I just bought a bunch of textbooks on amazon to study but idk how much of it I'll get done. Is it okay to go to Caltech with plans to major in EE or ME and not have taken diffeq and have a slightly weak background in physics? I got 5's on all AP Calc and AP Physics exams if that helps with the diagnosis... </p>

<p>I think I'm just overly worried but if I need to start studying I want to know. </p>

<p>Oh and my senior year courses are just about useless. (AP stat, AP enviro, AP lit, AP gov, AP econ, etc)</p>

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<p>I’m in exactly your boat. Damn humanity APs are useless. ;)</p>

<p>We both will probably have a tough time with placement exams, so studying is an excellent idea. That being said, not doing well on the placement exam is not an issue. Worst case scenario: you up end in the intro courses and learn the stuff better than you did the first time. Don’t worry, this is apparently quite a common scenario—kids at Caltech end up in the basic courses not because they’re bad at math, but because they took calculus at age 12.</p>

<p>And diffeq/linalgebra are in no way required.</p>