Urgent Advice Requested

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

I’m in a bit of a predicament and am seeking advice from you guys since you all seem to be very educated about college admissions and AP exams.

So here’s the breakdown:

I have 7 AP Exams this year and an SAT subject test to prepare for over the next 2 weeks (8 exams total). As you can see, I’m ridiculously overloaded and have not even begun studying for most of my exams. Here are the exams I have to take (in order of which they are tested):

AP Physics I
AP Calculus AB
AP US History
SAT Mathematics II Subject Test
AP US Government & Politics
AP English Language & Composition
AP Statistics
AP Microeconomics

I’m pretty confident I can pass and do well on ALL of my exams EXCEPT AP Physics I. My teacher this year is beyond awful. Last year, out of like 25 kids, one single kid passed (because nobody self-studied). We’ve literally sat there in class the whole year and done NOTHING. I am not even exaggerating. There is only a little over a week until the exam and I’m freaking out about it.

My question is this: Do I bother studying for AP Physics I? I want to major in Computer Science and I know physics is integral to that degree. I’m willing to put in the cramming effort to pass it with like a 3, but I’m worried I might sacrifice doing well on all my other exams by focusing on it (exams which I sort of know what I’m doing because the teacher ACTUALLY taught me). I’m looking to go to really prestigious colleges (Stanford/Harvard/Columbia). So this brings me to what I ask of you guys:

  1. Do I bother studying for AP Physics?
  2. If “no” to 1), what are the repercussions for college admissions to prestigious universities?
  3. If “yes” to 1), will I be sacrificing my chance to do well (4s and 5s) on the other exams?

This situation has me all scrambled, because I’ve gotten four 5s and one 4 so far for my AP Career, and I’m so embarrassed about the possibility of a 1. I know I need to separate the emotion from the situation though, so I want your guys’ advice!

Any advice ASAP is greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

2

Frankly, adcoms at the tippy tops will expect a top score in a class so related to your major. The question behind yours is how could you let this get so far when you want a single digit admit school and a stem major?

You’re new, so we don’t know your thinking or your other details. If you’re a junior now, I might suggest working your butt off and taking the physics test later.

3

You make a good point. To be honest, things got out of hand this year because I’ve overloaded myself. I was in 10 college classes at one point, and thinking about self-studying for physics was the last thing on my mind when I could barely finish my coursework. I will definitely work to avoid this situation next year.

I’ve scheduled to meet with my guidance counselor per your advice, and to see if I can retake it next year (I am indeed a junior, would the missing score look odd to colleges?).

My school pays for our exams, so I may very well be forced to take it this year. If that’s the case, do you recommend I study for AP Physics and do poorly on the other exams or vice-versa?

4

You’ll want it for apps, for that level of college. Will pm you…