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AP Physics Explained

In February, the College Board announced physics course and exam revisions, which will take effect with the 2024-25 school year (May 2025 AP Exams).

As the AP program continues to expand and evolve, so do the opportunities for students to delve more deeply into the study of physics through four different AP Physics courses: AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. As high school students make decisions about course selection, they might be wondering how to distinguish between these classes, and which ones are most important for college admissions.

To help make sense of these options, we’ve enlisted the expertise of our seasoned physics tutor, Collin, to answer your frequently asked questions about these different physics courses, the associated exams, and how to navigate AP preparation.

AP PHYSICS ROADMAP

What are the key differences between the four Physics AP offerings? How should a student decide which course to take based on their interests and career goals?

AP Physics is divided up by mathematical proficiency and subject matter. AP Physics 1 and 2 are geared more towards students with a strong Algebra background but who have not (or choose not) to explore Calculus I and II. Physics 1 focuses mostly on Mechanics, whereas Physics 2 is a broader overview of fluids, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism take the core concepts from Physics 1, and the E&M from Physics 2, but allow students to solve more complex problems with Calculus equations.

I recommend students take AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism sequentially if they want to pursue a STEM field in college and beyond. Scoring a 5 on both of these exams can eliminate an entire year of Physics course requirements from a student’s college curriculum, freeing up space for other topics of interest or higher-level physics classes. If a student is unsure of what they’d like to pursue in college, or is leaning away from a STEM-intensive major, I recommend studying both AP Physics 1 and 2 to gain a broader understanding of the field.

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AP PHYSICS 1 AND 2: CONTENT FOCUS

Can you provide an overview of the major topics covered in AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2? How does the content in each course contribute to a student’s understanding of fundamental physics concepts?

AP Physics 1 focuses almost entirely on Mechanics. Topics covered include Energy and Momentum, Statics and Dynamics, Simple Harmonic Motion, and Torque and Rotational Motion. AP Physics 2, conversely, is broader and gives the student a sample of various non-mechanics topics including Circuits, Electric Fields, Optics, Molecular Physics, and Fluids. Overall, the content covered in AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 courses equips students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to understand and appreciate the fundamental principles of physics and their applications in the world around them. By engaging in hands-on activities, problem-solving exercises, and critical thinking tasks, students develop a robust foundation in physics that prepares them for further academic and professional pursuits.

AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS AND ELECTRICITY/MAGNETISM

For students interested in AP Physics C, what are the distinct features of the Mechanics and Electricity/Magnetism courses? How should a student determine if they are better suited for one over the other, or is taking both is advisable?

Both Mechanics and E&M at the AP Physics C level require students to at least be enrolled in Calculus BC concurrently. The mathematics involved is a bit more complex than what would be seen in Physics I and II, so I always recommend a student to have already learned Calculus or be learning it side-by-side. Mechanics at the C-level takes the concepts from AP Physics I, but uses derivatives and integrals instead of linear slopes and areas to solve complex problems. Physics C Electricity and Magnetism does the same, but focuses only on these subsets of Physics II while eliminating any content on optics, thermodynamics, and fluids.

I always advise students to take both Physics C Mechanics and Physics C Electricity and Magnetism. Seeing as students at this level are already preparing themselves for a STEM-based field and possibly career, taking both classes sequentially will help narrow down their interest in Math and Science to a specific major or concentration. Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism are very different concepts that require different ways of approaching problems. While it’s very possible to succeed at both, every student I’ve worked with has formed a preference for one vs. the other which can help narrow down career choices in the future.

STUDY STRATEGIES FOR AP PHYSICS

What study techniques do you recommend for mastering the content of AP Physics exams? Are there specific approaches that work well for different courses, such as problem-solving strategies or conceptual understanding emphasis?

Studying for these exams usually requires a three-pronged approach: focus on conceptual understanding, focus on problem-solving, and focus on timing. The timing piece of the equation is often overlooked when teaching this course, but it is arguably one of the most important when it comes time to take the AP Physics examination. Regardless of the AP Physics class chosen, I always recommend students start with a high-level understanding of the concepts taught. From there, a few problems should be solved that correlate with the topics previously learned. Before going any further, I advise that students go back to the conceptual topics to see if any new discoveries have been made from trying a few problems. I’ve found that most students understand the bulk of the material at first, but solving problems and going back to the concepts afterwards fully instills the remaining 10% of content that might have caused some uncertainty. Once these two pillars (understanding and problem solving) have been mastered, I lastly focus on time management to ensure that problems can be solved within the allotted window given on the exam.

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PREPARING FOR AP PHYSICS EXAMS

Given the unique nature of each AP Physics exam, what advice do you have for students preparing for the exams, especially in terms of time management, practice tests, and balancing theoretical knowledge with practical problem-solving skills?

Balancing conceptual understanding with problem solving is really the key here, as they reinforce each other when done in tandem. In my opinion, it is never enough for a student to only solve problems or only understand the concepts. Hopping back and forth from concepts to problems allows students to absorb more and more of the content with each rotation. I’ve found that many students increase their conceptual understanding during the problem-solving process, and likewise think of novel ways to solve problems while re-learning concepts. As far as the specific problems go, I always recommend students use the sample College Board AP Practice Problems as a guide. While problem sets from other sources or textbooks are part of all courses and integral to a student’s learning, AP Practice Problems really prepare students on what to expect on the exam. Once a student feels strongly that they understand the concepts, can solve complex problems, and solve the AP Sample Questions, I then recommend adding in the time management piece of the equation to ensure that the problem-solving process followed can be done in the allotted time available for the exam.

Collin grew up in Chicago, Illinois and has always had a strong passion for Math and Physics. His senior year of high school he received 5s on the BC Calculus AP Exam and both Physics C AP Exams, and was Valedictorian of his high school (rank 1/832).

Collin went on to pursue an Electrical Engineering degree at Washington University in St. Louis, but was looking for even more Math and Physics based courses so added two minors to his curriculum: Physics and Nanoscale Science and Technology. It was during his undergraduate years that Collin also developed a passion for tutoring other students. In total, Collin has tutored high-school and university students 500+ hours over 10+ years in both a 1:1 capacity and a group setting (Head Laboratory TA for Circuits I and II).

After his bachelors, Collin completed graduate courses in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley and now works professionally as an Electrical Engineer. He currently designs automated testing systems for Life Fitness, where his products are used 60+ hours a week to validate manufactured cardio equipment. 

Collin believes analogies are the foundation on which a strong conceptual understanding is built. He’s helped STEM and non-STEM students alike succeed in Math and Physics through his ability to explain the same problem through multiple lenses. At the end of the day, he believes it is how the problems are presented that convey understanding. It is this unique approach that allows him to assist students of all academic backgrounds and preferred methods of teaching.

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The Case for Humanities Majors

As the number of humanities majors continues to shrink, is there a case to be made for the value of a college degree in, say, English or history? In the 2019-20 academic year, the proportion of bachelor’s degrees awarded in just engineering and computer science (12%) surpassed that of ALL humanities majors (11.7%) for the first time, and the gap only continues to widen. And yet, a 2019 Gallup poll cited in a report by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences found that 90 percent of humanities graduates are happy with their lives, about the same as graduates of other fields. When considering the value of a humanities degree, factors like job prospects, career earnings, and quality of life should all be part of the conversation.

The study of the humanities—subjects like art history, philosophy, religion, foreign languages, history, and English—can be traced back to Ancient Greece and Rome, where the concept of the liberal arts originated. Studying rhetoric, grammar and logic were considered the bedrock of citizenship. In medieval universities, this short list was expanded to seven subjects: grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. The notion that a well-rounded education was the basis of a productive life provided the blueprint for the higher education system we’ve experienced in the United States until recently, when political, cultural and economic pressures have brought the practicality of this breadth of study under a microscope—and sometimes onto the chopping block, as schools like West Virginia University cut 28 majors in September 2023, including art history and five language programs, to balance their budget.

HUMANITIES MAJORS: “BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THAT?”

One knock against philosophy or Russian majors is that such degrees do not prepare students for jobs—unless it’s teaching philosophy or Russian. Consult any professor of a humanities subject, and you’ll likely get an eyeroll in response to the “what can you do with that?” question, as they have seen graduates go on to pursue a myriad of different jobs and careers. (See the lists of famous English, history, and philosophy majors for some examples.) A college major can benefit students beyond job training. “Humanities education encourages students to think creatively and critically, to reason, and ask questions,” according to the National Humanities Center. “Put simply, the humanities help us understand and interpret the human experience, as individuals and societies.” Many industries seek employees who can problem solve, collaborate effectively, break down projects into component parts, and communicate effectively through writing and oral presentations.

Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges on applicants and matriculants to US MD-Granting Medical Schools (2022-23) even shows that humanities majors had higher mean MCAT scores and higher admission rates to medical school than biology or health science majors. So, what can you do with a humanities degree? Whatever you prepare to do. Majoring in English and applying to med school on a whim will not lead to success. But following a pre-med track in college, taking all the prerequisite classes, doing all the expected volunteer work and research, and studying for the MCATs will enable an English major to become a doctor. The key is to prepare for a future job and career alongside your college studies, no matter what you major in. Gaining job experience, exploring various industries or job sectors, networking, job shadowing, working with a career advisor—these are all important aspects of today’s college education.

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HUMANITIES MAJORS: HOW WILL YOU SUPPORT YOURSELF?

A working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research in 2018 found that, although STEM majors outearn their peers in the humanities at the beginning of their careers, that edge declines in their first decade in the workforce. This initial income boost compels many students to pursue STEM majors, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who are primarily concerned with financial stability. However, this economic head start can be impacted by the rapidly changing needs for certain STEM skills. “Computer Science Students Face a Shrinking Big Tech Job Market,” reported The New York Times on Dec. 6, 2022. In the previous month, Meta laid off more than 11,000 employees, and in Feb. 2024, Snap laid off 10% of its workforce. Choosing a college major based on the current employment picture can be risky. That said, data does show that those with bachelor’s degrees in the humanities are not the highest earners (surprise!). The annual median earnings of those with a terminal bachelor’s degree in the humanities (i.e., those who did not pursue a higher degree) is $64K, lower than that of all workers with a terminal bachelor’s degree in STEM ($72K). Humanities degree-holders do earn higher annual median incomes on average than those in the arts, life sciences, and education. As the chart below indicates, however, gender pay gaps play an interesting role in median income, such that males with humanities degrees outearn ALL women except those with engineering degrees.

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HUMANITIES MAJORS: QUALITY OF LIFE

In addition to considering future earnings potential and the range of jobs a college major makes possible, considering your life’s meaning and purpose should be part of the decision-making process when declaring a major. “Studies repeatedly find that individuals with a sense of purpose in life tend to report that they’re happier, or they’re more hopeful and more satisfied, than individuals without,” says Kendall Cotton Bronk, educational psychologist and professor of psychology at Claremont Graduate University. The average person spends one-third of their life working, so job satisfaction is not insignificant. Passion for a subject is not the only important factor in choosing a major, but curiosity and strong interest in a discipline form the basis for a successful college experience. 

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ADMISSIONS BOOST?

The moral of the story? Whether you’re humanities-focused or STEM-focused, be true to yourself, your interests and your passions, even if these include humanities subjects. With almost 80% of college applicants presenting with STEM interests in the college admissions process, the pool of humanities applicants is much smaller, providing a slight boost to your odds (as long as you’re in range of that school’s academic data points). As you can see from our list of famous English, history and philosophy majors, anything is possible!

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Top STEM Contests to Boost Your Ivy Odds

For high school students with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), participating in prestigious contests can be a game-changer. Not only do these competitions provide a platform to showcase one’s intellectual prowess, creativity, and problem-solving skills, but they also offer a unique opportunity to catch the attention of top-tier universities.

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TOP STEM CONTESTS TO BOOST YOUR IVY ODDS

We’ve curated a list of the top STEM competitions specifically tailored for high school students. From robotics challenges to scientific research competitions, each contest not only serves as a way to validate your academic excellence but also as a gateway to the most prestigious educational institutions.

  1. Regeneron Science Talent Search: Your parents may remember this competition as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. It is the same competition (the oldest in the U.S. for high school students), it just has a new sponsor. The competition is open to students who are US Citizens or students of any citizenship who go to school in the U.S. Students must submit their individual research project for review and can win up to $250,000 in scholarships. (Due: November, 2024)
  2. National Sciences Bowl: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, this team-based STEM competition resembles a traditional high school quiz bowl format. Students are tested on their knowledge of biology, chemistry, earth and space science, energy, mathematics, and physics, and the questions get progressively more difficult. Regional competition registration deadlines vary by region, with the national championship held in late April. 
  3. AMC (American Mathematics Competition)/AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination): The AMC, AIME, and USAMO are three levels of school-based mathematics examination competitions aimed at targeting the top math students in the U.S. Students first sit for the AMC10 or AMC12. The top 2.5-5% of scorers on these tests are then invited to take the AIME exam, and the top AIME scorers are invited to the final round of competition, the USAMO (United States of America Mathematical Olympiad), which represents some of the best high school mathematicians in the U.S. (The AMC test is offered in November of each year) 
  4. USACO (USA Computing Olympiad): In this test-based competition, students can use C++, Java, C, or Python languages to answer three competitive programming problems. Competitors begin in the lowest level, Bronze, and can progress through four increasingly difficult divisions to Platinum. The top USACO participants are invited as “finalists” to a summer training camp, from which four are selected to represent the U.S. in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). (The first contest is usually held in mid-December)
  5. FIRST Robotics Competition: Future engineers will enjoy the FIRST Robotics Competition, which challenges high school teams to build and program industrial-sized robots to compete against other team’s robots in a field game set each year by contest administrators. This contest involves teamwork, computer science and engineering knowledge, and creativity, and teams progress through regional rounds to the national championship in this year-long competition.

As you can see, the competition landscape is wide and varied. This is just a small sampling of contests that can catch the eye of admission officers. Be proactive as you explore your academic field and challenge yourself to enter contests throughout your high school career! For the top five Humanities and Social Science contests, stay tuned for Part 2 in this series next week.

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Transfer Acceptance Rates and Top Tips

You know you want to transfer, and why—now it’s helpful to see where you’ll have the best odds of being admitted. Transfer acceptance rates vary widely and sometimes unexpectedly. Knowing which colleges are more transfer-friendly can help you narrow down your list and target the right schools.

SAMPLE TRANSFER ACCEPTANCE RATES (2022-23)

(BU – Vanderbilt: transfer-friendly; MIT – Rice: less transfer-friendly)

SchoolFirst-Year Admit RateTransfer Admit Rate
Boston University14.4%29%
Columbia3.7%11.3%
Northwestern7.2%13%
Cornell7.3%13.9%
Dartmouth6.4%7.3%
UCLA*8.6%24.4%
USC12%23.5%
NYU12.5%20.5%
Notre Dame12.9%26.7%
University of Virginia**18.7%35%
Vanderbilt6.7%16.6%
MIT4%1.4%
Yale4.6%1.6%
Claremont McKenna College10.4%6.2%
Duke***5.9%4.8%
Williams College8.5%3%
Carnegie Mellon11.3%7.3%
Georgetown12.2%7.3%
Rice University8.7%5%
*92% of UCLA’s admitted transfer students were from California community colleges in 2023
**Percentage is lower for non-Virginia residents
***Figures from 2021-22

With your list solidified, it’s time to drill down on the ways you can stand out in the transfer process: Should you interview? Take loads of classes now in your intended major? Join a bunch of clubs at your current college? Let us make your job easier by sharing a transfer expert’s top tips for what counts—and what doesn’t—in your transfer applications.

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TRANSFER EXPERT: TOP TIPS

Academics lead the conversation: Admissions officers typically begin their review of an application with a thorough review of the applicant’s transcripts. If you are in your first year of college, your high school transcript is your primary piece of evidence that you’ll be academically successful at your destination college. You’ll need to submit your first-semester college transcript and, typically, in-progress grades for your second semester. Test scores (SAT/ACT and APs or IBs) can help validate your academic record, so submit them if they are a positive addition to your application.

Professors’ voices are louder: Teacher recommendations were important last time you applied, but professors’ recommendations carry even more weight because they can speak directly to your abilities to succeed in college classes. Make strong efforts to get to know at least two of your professors and show them how deeply you’re engaged with the class material by speaking with them outside of classes. Many schools require one recommendation, but most allow several more—two letters will benefit you. Admissions officers may not read more than that, so focus on obtaining two strong letters. If you’re at a large research university where you have little interaction with your faculty, consider asking a TA or graduate student instructor if they are more familiar with your classroom contributions and your work in the class before you rely on high school teachers’ letters.

Fly your academic nerd flag: Since there is no personal essay for the Common Application for Transfer, each school crafts its own prompt. Many are similar to Boston University’s: “We want to learn more about you and your reasons for transferring, in particular what you hope to accomplish at Boston University.” Even if you are seeking a better social or cultural fit, admissions officers want to hear your academic case for admission. Frankly, they don’t care if you want to be near the beach or in the middle of a city – they want to admit scholars whom their faculty will be excited to teach. Spend time on your destination colleges’ websites, especially pages for departments you’re interested in. What classes are you excited to take? What professors do you want to work with? Are there distinctive aspects of the major that appeal to you? Check out this sample essay of a transfer applicant who worked with Top Tier and was admitted to Northwestern:

FREE WEBINAR: TRANSFER ADMISSIONS

As Associate Dean of Admissions, I managed the transfer admissions program at Pomona College for four years, supervising application evaluations and making strategic decisions to meet College goals. This experience, and my own firsthand evaluation of thousands of applications, has given me deep insights into why students seek to transfer and how they can best position themselves in this unique—and at times uniquely confusing—college application process.

Are you curious about the transfer process? Join me for a webinar, “Transfer Admissions: Understand the Process, Maximize the Application,” on January 24th at 8 pm Eastern for a deeper dive into identifying your best-fit transfer colleges and submitting successful transfer applications.

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Harvard: Early Acceptance Rate

At Top Tier Admissions, we are committed to making the college admissions process more transparent. Easy access to clear data helps families understand trends in college admissions to make more informed decisions. We’re collecting early acceptance rate data at selective schools and providing insight and analysis of our own. For historical data, see our collection of Ivy League and Top College Acceptance Rates and Admissions Statistics, including the Class of 2027 Ivy League admissions data and admissions stats for a range of additional selective schools.

See Highlights From The Harvard Crimson’s Article Below:

EXPERT INSIGHT: HARVARD’S EARLY ACCEPTANCE RATE

It’s important to note that applications to Harvard in the Early Action round fell by 17 percent this fall (7,921 applicants this cycle, compared to 9,553 last year). This decline might be, in part, due to the controversy around President Claudine Gay’s responses to campus antisemitism, as well as the university’s role in the Supreme Court case on affirmative action.

In a recent interview with The Boston Globe, Mimi Doe, Top Tier Admissions co-founder and CEO, said that some students who were accepted to Harvard in the Early Action round this year are continuing to apply to other Ivy League schools, rather than committing to Harvard immediately — a stark departure from years past.

“It’s interesting and telling that this year there are students who are throwing their hat in the ring even though they have the golden apple in single choice early action from Harvard,” Doe said.

But ultimately, she doesn’t believe that’s indicative of any larger trend for the university’s admissions or enrollment.

“The benefits will always outweigh [the concerns] just because of the brand and the reputation,” said Doe.

Want To Read More About Harvard’s Acceptance Rate?

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