<p>I'm a junior in the process of planning my senior year schedule, and I'm wondering if I should take AP Physics C. Please chime in; any input would greatly help me reach my decision.</p>
<p>Why I would want to take AP Physics C:
-It's an AP, it's rigorous, it seems fun.
-I like science.
-Few friends of mine are taking it, too.
-Premed: I'm planning on doing premed in college, and there's a physical science component in most premed curricula. </p>
<p>Why I wouldn't want to take AP Physics C:
-It takes up a slot in my schedule because it's a full-year course. Without it, I will be able to take a few <em>more</em> exotic/interesting 1-term electives at my school like Honors French: The Ninth Art, Biochemistry, Intro to Multivariable Calc, Intro to Differential Equations, and Digital Music Composition. ---> This is the important factor.
-The above courses are all at the 5xx level according to my school's course catalog, which puts them in the same tier in rigor as AP Physics C. So I don't think not taking physics would have too much of an adverse impact on the perceived of my course load.
-It's rigorous and, supposedly, a GPA killer.</p>
<p>Courses I will be taking for sure (as you see, my course load is already pretty rigorous):
1. Calculus-based Stats
2. AP Economics
3. Modern Thought and Literature + Signifying Nothing: Experimental Novels (English)
4. Makers of the Modern Mind (philosophy)</p>
<p>So do you guys think I should take AP Physics C and forgo the aforementioned electives or not?</p>
<p>Physics C is definitely a fun class (and not such a gpa-killer if your teacher is solid). However, if you’re going into pre-med- have you taken AP Bio and/or Chem or something similar? I just feel that your senior schedule needs something more related to your planned major, so you might want to look into taking another elective instead.
just my two cents!</p>
<p>I’m already taking AP Chem this year. I don’t really want to take Biology in high school because 1) Physics/Chem interest me more, 2) I can’t stuff AP Bio anywhere in my schedule because there are so many random requirements to fulfill at my school and 3) a premed course load requires all 3 sciences, so I don’t think it matters which two I choose to take.</p>
<p>I’m doing premed alongside with an Economics major, which explains the AP Economics elective. And AP Economics is lighter than AP Bio…English is required, and I have to take 2 terms of religion/philosophy in my senior year to fulfill the requirements.</p>
<p>The thing is, if I choose to take Physics, I won’t be able to take Biochemistry or Intro to Multivariable + Intro to Differential Eqs or Digital Composition (which I’m really interested in as a hobby). So it’s a “rigorously academic/traditional vs. fun and interesting” thing.</p>
<p>By the way, how conceptual is Physics C? Could one rely on a decent math ability to make the course more tolerable?</p>
<p>For premed you don’t have to take calculus-based physics (which is equivalent of Physics C); you only have to take algebra-based physics (which is equivalent of Physics B). Since Physics C isn’t required for your major and the other electives are considered just as rigorous, I think you should take the “fun” electives. You should really try to make your senior year enjoyable.</p>
<p>I think it’s up to you whether or not to take it, but I will say that you will find AP Physics C up to par with rigor (especially if you have not taken physics before) and it could help you place out of introductory physics requirements in college, freeing up space in your schedule for electives or more bio. I’m taking AP Physics C now, and it’s nice to have a few friends in the class to work on labs with and stuff. The way classes are run varies from school to school, so you should learn the reputation of the teacher at yours.</p>
<p>oh and yes, it’s conceptual. It was difficult for me at first to think about forces and motion and stuff. and when we learn new stuff it is. idk. this is my first time taking physics. it’s cool.</p>
<p>lolol reading the comments about the physics teacher on ratemyteachers kinda scares me now</p>
<p>Another question: when people say that Physics C is harder, is it because of the math or the conceptual content? If I’m better at math than at concept, would Physics C be a better choice (if I opted to take Physics)?</p>
<p>I think the conceptual aspect is more difficult because I am taking Calculus AB and find those concepts to be generally simple and easy to grasp but Physics C takes me hours of studying and the tests worry me more than any class I have. However, that could just be my teacher as she does not emphasize teaching general concepts; she simply assigns and discusses problems. I feel obliged to say that it is my first physics class so the lack of background could skew my opinion.</p>
<p>kitkat does have a point that a good score on the AP Physics C exam could help you place out of intro physics classes in college, so keep that in mind. I would say Physics C is definitely much more conceptual (less formula-based) than honors or Physics B. IMO, much of the difficulty comes from taking calc concurrently (it’s just a lot being thrown at you at once) especially in the E&M part of the class (not so much mechanics). Already being comfortable with calc is a plus. But a LOT depends on your teacher if you’re a first year physics student in this class, so ask around. You want a teacher who’s rigorous but also knows what he’s doing, so you can get that 5 on the exam later in the year.</p>