I can't take AP physics

It's not offered in my small Idahoan school. Does this put me behind the game? All my older friends that went into physics/engineering say that the kids without it or calculus in high school never did as well.
Is this true, or is it just a scare?

Pengwuino
Gold Member
It's a scare. You're 1 class out of 20 behind (assuming you could even get credit). Then again its possible that the students they're talking about didnt take calculus or AP physics because they had no strong interest in science/engineering so it would make sense that they don't do well.

Whatever, point is, it's a scare, forget about it.

lisab
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
If it's not offered, then don't worry about it. Just concentrate on getting good grades and learning the material in the classes that you do take.

If you want to study physics, then you should learn calculus as early as possible. If it is not taught in school then you should learn it on your own.

This is not something you should be scared about. You should think of moving ahead of everyone instead of falling behind. I.e. if you just do what is required of you, you'll perform just like everyone else. If you study harder, you'll move ahead. And the best time to move ahead is years before you go to university.

When I was at university, I noted that the best of the best students happened to be the onces who had mastered calculus at a young age and who liked to do math problems on their own for fun.

Actually you can self-study the course and take the exam and you will still receive AP credits. There isn't a single college I know that does not allow this.

When I was in High school, AP Calculus BC was not offered. I had to self-study on my own. Thankfully, I got a 5. And I am no genius either.

Funny thing is, the people that took the AP Calc AB in my school (in a classroom with a teacher) got 4s (few of them got a 5, the majority were 4s)

another idea would be to take a physics class at a community college during the summer. I'm not sure what the costs are like in idaho, but in san diego it's only $26 per unit. another idea would be to take a physics class at a community college during the summer. I'm not sure what the costs are like in idaho, but in san diego it's only$26 per unit.

True, but most colleges require high school students a letter of support from a moderator such as the Principal in most cases. Some required grades and perhaps some letters of support from math teachers. It can be quite tedious if you think about it.

Actually you can self-study the course and take the exam and you will still receive AP credits. There isn't a single college I know that does not allow this.
I was actually wondering if I could do this.
Awesome. I think that I will actually do that, since it makes more sense. Thanks.
I love physics. :D

Colleges will base their decisions on the opportunities present at your current school...

I am currently taking AP Physics and see no reason why you couldn't self study this course... especially since you probably are an intelligent individual, and if you are already enrolled in some sort of physics course it would be that much easier...