That is odd that they teach Physics 1 and 2 (the easier tests) in to 2 years, but teach the C tests both in one year.
@VickiSoCal yeah, I donât know why. I guess for C, they donât normally expect the students to have Calc before senior year (though itâs happening more and more). But I donât know why they split 1 and 2 into 2 years.
@momzilla2D Thatâs interesting. Iâm cautious to describe that as strictly adult language or phrasing. Iâve always looked at language acquisition as a dynamic construct, not a linear continuum. There are so many variables that contribute to it; reading, travel, socioeconomics â just to name a few. To categorize some writing as âadult soundingâ is to cast aside all the variables that make language unique. Also, it categorically implies that kids canât write as well adults, it sets the bar and expectations low, and assumes the worst about âadult soundingâ essays. I think this is wrong.
For some reason I do not understand, CB changed the physics B exam-- a 1 yr algebra-based introductory level physics courseâto a 2 yr sequence which seems pretty unnecessary since introductory physics can be mastered in a yr. An introductory level full sequence course would be more beneficial for future science major than only taking 1 of the 2 yr sequence. Colleges wonât give STEM majors credit for 1 or 2, so whether or not the course is called AP or is just a general introductory course is not going to make any difference. The goal should be understanding general physics concepts. Students can easily go from a general introductory level physics class into a college cal based course if they have the math skills required. No need to lament not have AP 1/2.
FWIW, not much cal is involved in C (I think just basic derivatives and integrals). Some colleges wonât even grant credit for the C exams.
Our school says there is little demand beyond AP physics 1. Most non IB kids take AP Chem or Bio or Environmental after honors Bio and chem.
My DS16 still says that Calc based physics is what most prepared him for engineering. He did take both AP exams and did well. Our HS does not offer AP Algebra based Physics at all, but does offer Honors Physics which covers the content of 1& 2 and is required prior to AP Calc based Physics. My DD20 is counting the days until Honors Physics ends. The projects are NOT her thing, but then neither is engineering.
Physics is easy for those it is easy for to a certain extent. I had regular old physics in high school and Physics for Scientists and Engineers was my absolute easiest class my freshman year of college. Physical Chemistry was a close second. I am not that worried about D20 taking Calc based physics her freshman year of college as she is my mini me when it comes to those sorts of things.
Iâm more worried about her Lang score so she can hopefully get out of core writing requirement.
Welcome @mtemmd. It sounds like you have a good handle on things. The only thing I would say is that maybe you could be more specific with your son when talking budget. If you havenât let him know your annual $ budget, I would (hopefully you have donât more than spitball it, including tuition increases). Also, âprayingâ for merit does not help, but going to the school-specific admission threads on this site will. You will figure out which schools give merit (and how much), and which donât. I just hate to see kids constantly devastated when they cant afford their âdreamâ school. Thatâs another thing, donât let him use that term: dream school. 
Good luck!
Thank you! Yes we are being very specific with him, and yes I am doing more than pray for merit. Although from what I can tell it still seems like a toss-up at times as to what kids get or donât get. Its also why we are encouraging him to cast a broad net. He has some good EC and fabulous test scores, a decent GPA with lots of challenging courses. He could use more community service. But overall I think someone will find it attractive enough to offer money to him, but Iâm not so sure the schools he wants will. But he knows going in what we can do, and that we donât want him drowning in debt. We do need to sit down and explain all debt isnât equal, show him the difference between $25k, $50k, and $100k. And I want him to really consider schools that might be more generous with merit aid. I want him to be excited about wherever he ends up and I feel guilty and sad I canât just write that blank check for him. But reality is reality and he may not have it as good as some, but has it better than many others.
Lastly I really want to spend time appreciating this last year with him (full time). I am concerned I will fall down a rabbit hole of college stuff and forget to take time to just be with him, for our family to just be together. So I am trying to be very mindful.
Ugh! I received another email from D20âs GC this morning regarding Dâs selected APs for senior year. The school has decided to ax another AP class, AP Calc BC. Officially, the students can still sign up for the course, IF they are able/willing to drive 20 minutes to another high school in our district for the class. D wonât be taking the course at the other high school. The drive is unpredictable because there is frequently lots of traffic due to trains. Dâs high school gives automatic detention for even one tardy, and she doesnât want to risk being late to class from the traffic. So D will be taking AP Stats instead. Hopefully, she will be able to explain the situation in her college applications (no AP Physics, no AP Calc BC- when it had been offered just one year before), so it doesnât look like she purposely took a less rigorous schedule for senior year.
@hgtvaddict I would definitely have her explain it on her application.
Actually the GC should explain it.
Exactly as @VickiSoCal says, thatâs the kind of thing the GCâs letter is for. Itâs a school policy and as a school employee, itâs her or his job to give clear, accurate information about it.
@hgtvaddict I am sure the GC can contextualize it in a letter. Perhaps you can ask them for some leeway when it comes to tardies after that class due to traffic. You would be, after all, having to travel to take the class at another school because they axed it. It seems to add insult to injury to have detention due to the inconveniences the school has caused! For what itâs worth, AP Stats is an amazing class, and more applicable than AP Calc BC in real life scenarios.
D20 is taking her first AP today - French. This week and next week are her two brutal weeks that include both APs, long dance rehearsals and dance performances. And unfortunately sheâs come down with a cold 
She took the little packet of tissues I gave her and removed them and put them into a plain ziploc bag because the tissue pack had writing on it - she said theyâre not really that strict but you never know. Ugh. I wish she wasnât sick this week of all weeks. Today and tomorrow are evening rehearsals for her extracurricular ballet class performance and then Friday night and Saturday are performances. Next week, two more APs, more after school rehearsals and more performances for her in-school jazz group performance.
@CAtransplant Hope your daughter feels better soon!
D felt AP Physics 1 went well yesterday, Tomorrow is Chem, Friday APUSH. Saturday she is proctoring at elementary Math Field Day for our county and cheering on her little fourth grade team she coached. Then on to AP Lang and Calc AB.
Sorry, @CAtransplant. Itâs so hard when theyâre sick, on top of a crunch-time schedule! Hope she can somehow find time to rest, and that she bounces back quickly.
Just saw yours too, @VickiSoCal. Itâs crunch time for everybody!
S2 has APUSH and a big-deal audition on Friday, two performances Saturday, Calc and Lang on T and W next week, followed by a couple of makeup tests (in classes heâll miss because of the APs), then a bunch of extra rehearsals, and performances that Friday and Saturday.
Then a little breather before finals, sort of!
Good luck to everybodyâs kids.
@hgtvaddict I am so sorry that youâre dealing with this. How unfair! But⊠the colleges wonât hold it against her. With their âapplication packetâ each application comes with a high school profile that generally lists the classes provided, the GPAs divided by percentages, any AP scores from the previous year, and possibly a list of college acceptances from the previous year. Check your school website to see if they have last yearâs available. Anyway, that will show that the courses are not offered and not available for your D to take.
And VickiSoCal is absolutely right, your GC should explain it in her letter. You may want to make sure that you let her know that you want it mentioned in her letter.