DS took AP Physics C: E&M last year and got a 5. He is planning to take AP Physics C: Mechanics this year, and he is confident to score well (Physics is his favorite subject and has been studying for years). He heard from some friends who also took Physics 1 and 2 last year, and we were wondering if it makes any sense to also take Physics 1 and Physics 2 if he is already taking Physics C? He doesn’t need to prepare for these tests. It is just the test-taking time and fees. We are also worried if it could be interpreted the wrong way.
We have heard that in UC’s even though you can’t get credit for some of these APs, they may contribute towards their standing for course selection and housing.
I don’t believe that is the case. My understanding is that registration and housing priority is based only on classes taken at the UC (AP scores or DE classes don’t help with that). @Gumbymom may be able to confirm.
He actually does. 1 and 2 cover more topics than C. And the exam is more conceptual in nature.
Regardless, it’s a dumb idea mainly because UC caps AP Physics credit at 2 courses. And any benefits derived are only based on actual credit being awarded.
AP credits can increase a student’s class standing but not necessarily for course selection and definitely not for housing. Being a recruited athlete, Regent scholars, Honors etc… will get priority registration.
UC Davis and UCLA not longer factor in AP credits for class registration but some UC campuses may still factor them in. Also UCD and UCLA do not accept AP credits for all GE requirements.
Regarding housing, unless the student again is a Recruited Athlete, Regent scholar, Honors scholar etc… AP credits are not factored in at all.
Even some UC Honors programs (UCSB) do not give priority registration for courses.
You need to look up each campuses AP credit policies since it can vary along with the benefits of Honors programs if interested.
The method of assigning registration times is extremely variable by campus. For example, at UC Davis, pass times are assigned based on the number of units completed at UC Davis. Others randomly assign pass times by class standing (ex. <45 units =freshman, 45-<90 = sophomore).
Some campuses limit the number of units during the first passing period to just a couple of classes in order to give everyone a chance to register. The remaining classes are chosen during the second pass period. Other campuses allow students to choose up to 17 units in the first passing period.
To add another layer, at UCSD has a college system. Each college has different criteria for AP/IB credit.
To give you an idea of how many groups have priority registration, UCI lists the following on their website.
PRIORITY ENROLLMENT WINDOWS
Priority windows are approved by the Council on Educational Policy for students meeting certain criteria. The order of these windows is numbered below.
Undergraduate class levels are determined by the student’s total number of completed units plus their current units. (Completed units include units from AP scores and units transferred from other institutions.)
Because of his participation in other science competitions he has mostly covered the material and even if he needs to brush up any concepts he would actually enjoy that. But if Phy 1, 2 do cover more topics, then would it not add value to his resume indicating his passion and command on the subject?
Probably not. Colleges usually care more about taking the classes than simply taking the exams. I mean, taking the exams won’t hurt, but it probably won’t help in the way(s) that you’re hoping it will.
AP credits | UC Admissions indicates that UC will not give additional credit for physics 1 and 2 if the student has credit for both physics C. Note also that AP & Exam credits | UC Admissions says that credit is not given for both an AP score and a college course covering the same material.
Specific campus subject credit is listed in links on that page, although subject credit for UCB L&S majors (as opposed to for L&S division-level requirements) needs to be looked up on department web pages.
The various AP physics exams may not be well aligned with physics courses at UCs. Physics 1 and 2 are non-calculus-based courses similar in content to those for biology majors, but some UCs have a calculus prerequisite for them, so the AP scores are not accepted for subject credit. Physics C may not cover all of the material in some UC calculus-based physics courses, and likely has a lower level of math usage (E&M courses commonly have multivariable calculus as at least a co-requisite).
Regarding class registration, note also that (at least at some UCs) departments may have their own priorities and restrictions. For example, a department may disallow students with too high a class standing (based on credit units) or class level (based on number of semesters attended) from registering for introductory courses that may be needed by frosh/soph students for their majors.