<p>I am currently looking at courses to take this fall and I keep seeing advanced courses (Classical Mechanics B and Advanced Multivariable Calculus). I am tempted to take them, but I do not know how hard they will be. Does anyone have experience in them? Are they worth taking? Will my grades suffer or is it just more time and work? Can you switch to the non-advanced class if its too hard?</p>
<p>My Scores are
SATI Math : 800
SATII MathIIC : 800
Calc BC junior year : 5
SATII Physics : 800
Physics B junior year : 5
Physics C Mechanics : 5
Physics C EM : 5</p>
<p>I know that these scores are perfect, but I am still scared of getting to ahead of myself.</p>
<p>You can always switch during the first couple weeks of a semester, so don’t be afraid to shoot high! It’s always easier to switch down than up, since you’ll have missed less material. I wouldn’t be too concerned about grading - though it depends heavily on the person, instructors generally don’t want to penalize you for taking harder material. For example, in PHY106 (advanced version of 104) no one who worked hard and showed interest (went to office hours, etc.) got a horrible grade. Of course, that’s not always the case, and I know of some people (e.g. my roommate) who feel like being in an advanced class hurt their grade.</p>
<p>As far as the specific classes you mentioned:
-Classical Mechanics B (PHY205): This is a HARD class (nicknamed “Death Mech” on campus). It’s not impossible for a freshman to take it (I know a freshman who did very well in it), especially if you’ve done well in Physics C. However, you might want to also consider PHY105, an accelerated version of basic mechanics that I found to be a great class (I’m taking 205 in the fall as a sophomore).</p>
<p>-Advanced Multivariable Calculus: I took this as a freshman last year and did well in it. It’s definitely not easy - I remember remarking to my rommate while studying for the midterm that it would be “the hardest test of my life”. Luckily, the cool thing about this class is that the final chapter ties everything together into a couple theories (which are used extensively in E&M), so everything makes sense at the end even if the learning process is painful. Personally I would recommend that you give it a try and drop down to 201 if necessary (201 is similar, the homework and book are a little easier).</p>
<p>I guess I have the opposite opinion of cball. I had the exact same scores as you–perfect on all the math SAT’s, and perfect on all the physics stuff too. I went into 203, and lasted about a week. The advisors tell you that it’s for people ‘who enjoy math’, but let me tell you, after so many people dropped out in the first couple of weeks, it was basically people on calibar with the US Math Team. There is absolutely no reason to take 203 unless either a) you’re going to major in math or b) you are a math prodigy. 201 covers the exact same material, and even 201 is difficult. When I dropped from 203 to 201, it was like breathing a huuuge sigh of relief. I quickly learned that Princeton is hard enough–if you don’t have to take a harder class, there really is no reason to. At first I was reluctant to accept this, b/c like everyone who gets accepted to Princeton, I, without question, always took the hardest classes offered in high school, without a second thought. But it is soo much different at Princeton, and you really have to get used to being in tune with your ability level and your academic interests.</p>
<p>I agree with Voovi16 that there’s no reason to suffer in a class that is too hard for you - it’s unlikely that anyone looking at your transcript would care or even notice if you took an easier version of the same class.</p>
<p>However, I don’t think that you should automatically assume that a class like math 203 will be too hard for you - I say that, if you’re unsure, you should spend a week in 203 and see what it’s like (you can even sign up for and attend both classes the first week, then choose which one you want to drop). If, like Voovi16, you find it more comfortable in 201, then don’t hesitate to drop down. If you can handle a harder class, however, there are a number of advantages to staying in the higher track:
You’ll learn a lot more material. Since you’re mainly at Princeton to learn, this is obviously good. It will also help you in other classes in that subject area.
You’ll be with a select group of people. While this can be a bad thing in terms of curves, etc., it can also make the class much better; for example, one of the reasons I thought physics 105 was great was because you get to do your problem sets with the “elite” of the physics students. I learned so much working with this group - in 103, there are only quizzes instead of group problem sets, and you’re shoved in with a lot of people who hate physics and just need the requirement.</p>
<p>P.S. With regard to math 203 in particular, I don’t agree that the only students left were all “US Math Team” types. There is another level of multivariable calculus, 215, which tends to attract the math majors and prodigies. Most of us in 203 were engineers, physicists, etc.</p>
<p>I have a friend who’s a sophomore at Princeton. After absolutely acing Physics all throughout HS (a very very good HS) and acing the AP, he got a C in Physics this last semester, even though he was working ridiculously hard. Princeton Physics is not something to mess with. Take it easy, dude. </p>
<p>Also, have you looked into the integrated engineering-math-physics course? I’ve heard that this is pretty challenging but I think it’ll be very enjoyable. Look into it I really think it’s awesome!</p>