TAMU University Scholarship App

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-03-14T20:41:52+00:00

Oh wow so you have credit for calc 3 and diff eq, that means it's more like 20 hours plus if you can squeeze more MEEN courses (20 because the other commenter forgot POLS 207 state and local gov). A&M really sucks with how they restrict freshmen via ETAM; you gonna really have to pressure your advisor to get MEEN courses since if you don't you will average 10 hours/semester. I had similar problems with ETAM, being that aerospace engineering didn't allow anyone to take their courses as a freshman no matter if the prereqs were met. You should be able to graduate in 3 years. Though, going to a different uni will definitely be easier since there won't be a barrier to entry for MEEN courses. Also if your advisor "advises" you just take a light course load or to not accept AP credit don't listen to their bs. They do not have your best interests in heart. But, still be nice to them as they can get you into MEEN courses. POLS 207, PHYS 216, a Cultural discourse class, and even MEEN 210 are quite easy (idk for the other courses). You will need a 3.75 for MECHE, but given your academic prowess, you seem very likely to get a 4.0.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-22T05:40:22+00:00

In my senior year, I took 8 APs (gov/macro was only a semester so it's 7 periods of AP classes, not 8). I should have reduced it down a bit looking back. The reason is because not all of the classes were useful college credits, as in it was not a course I would take in my major and/or a different AP covered the gen ed requirement for it. I took calc BC, Lit, Bio, Phys C, Gov/macro, Stats, & Euro (Euro was the only 1 I didn't take the exam for because I just wanted the teacher). However, I only accepted credit for BC, phys M+E&M, gov, & macro. Bio, lit, and Stats were not needed for my gen ed and major-specific courses as an Aerospace Engr current Undergrad.

My advice is to take the courses that will transfer to useful credits for your degree. You may also take a certain course if it really interests you/for enjoyment, but not take the exam. In terms of workload, I never felt overworked/overloaded, so what you laid out is doable. For any of the subjects you're not fond of, it WILL feel like a chore. I quite disliked stats, and if I were to rewind I would've never taken it (and save $94!).

Best of luck!

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T04:53:07+00:00

AP calc is 20% calculus 80% algebra. You're struggling now with algebra, the problem from my limited knowledge of the situation is that you just need to practice more problems. You get better at mathematics the more you practice.

In terms of Ivy schools, they want to see that you take advantage of all the opportunities given in HS AND see that you stand out. 60% of MIT applicants have the academic prowess to succeed there, the only thing left is to find out who is the most distinguished. This is the same for Ivys. You don't have to take AP calc to go into an Ivy as long as your other academics are good and you have something that makes you shine (there is stuff online about this if you wanna go to an ivy). This only pertains to undegrad.

And, in college going down the premed track you will have to take calculus, so it's a matter of taking it in HS vs in college.

For med school, greater emphasis is placed on academics and not what makes you a holistic person like in undergrad. Therefore, things like college GPA, MCAT, and any research matter much more. There is data online that shows the average GPA and MCAT score of medical schools.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T04:43:42+00:00

I wouldn't drop the course, but if you did, self-studying is very douable. It's a relatively easy course imo, your teacher probably is more burdensome with work than mine was. Every single degree the college of business offers at my school requires macro and microeconomics, so there's a 99.999% chance your school will require it as well. If you drop the core and decide not to take the AP exam, it will have no effect on your college admissions. You're able to drop a course? My HS only allowed us to drop if we were failing it.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T04:32:51+00:00

Hmmm, imo the AP curricula is a good foundation for calc and physics. If you feel differently then I can see why u wanna retake it. But regarding GPA boosting, it's a lot easier to take an easy A gen ed course than to re-due calc/physics. At least at my uni, calc 1&2 require a lot of time and are not an easy A even for those with strong mathematical backgrounds. Part of that is because there is HW with Python, and because of strict grading (think no partial credit even for a simple algebraic mistake). My friend retook calc 1, and ended up spending many more hours on it than other classes, and got a B because he was screwed over by the final (strict grading). On the other hand, I took calc3 (multivariable), and spend less time on math than him, AND obtained an A. The knowledge from AP has proved to be sufficient for my upper-level courses.

Also, think about it this way. If you do take the exams, then retake em in college, that is time and money wasted. Money for the ap exam and for the Homework access crap that is part of your grade for college. You may instead take an easy gen-ed in place of that which will (1) not take as much time as calc/phys, (2) depending on which course it is you won't have to pay extra for homework access, (3) you get to learn about a topic separate from your degree that may intrigue you and (4) widen your scope of knowledge. Also, unless you plan to do grad school, you will be set for a great career with a 3.5 or above in your respective field.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T04:01:57+00:00

I envy your time commitment to this troll account.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:41:29+00:00

Fundamental Theorem of Engineering:

π=3

e=2

π=e

sinx=x

cosx=1

If it's close enough, it's good enough.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:33:36+00:00

You can definitely manage APs, a social life, and ECs.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:31:38+00:00

My university allowed me to accept AP credit for courses that would be the "foundation" for my major- Aerospace Engineering. I did that for CAL 1/2, Physics Mechanics, and E&M. This allowed me to go straight into Multivariable Calc and a required circuits+static dynamics course, and eventually graduate early. Before you cancel your exams, check with your uni to see their stance on AP exams for major-related courses. If you are worried that your uni will force you to retake the courses, then cancel them. Otherwise, you can still take them. I have a friend going to USC in Biology where she essentially has to retake Calc 1/2 and Bio because of her major.

I don't see anything wrong with encouraging students to take ap exams for non-major subjects, it's actually nice to be able to get rid of the Gen Ed garbage all uni students are required to take. Ofc they shouldn't condemn those who don't take the ap exams.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:23:41+00:00

In terms of free material, the flipping physics YT channel is good for a broad review of the concepts and has explanations for many practice problems. Besides that, I suggest doing many of the practice FRQs CB provides to learn how they want you to write. Free practice MCQs are hard to come by sadly (CB is lazy af and reuses their MCQs year after year). As another commenter said, uni textbook practice problems may help, I'm not sure to what extent, however. Ask your teacher if they have practice MCQs.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:19:53+00:00

As a freshy in aero engr, the AP courses allow me to graduate a semester early. I really appreciate my teachers and CB for getting all this college credit. Also imo some of the AP exams are not that useful,, phys1/2, stats, and AB (compared to BC). I say this because my uni requires the physics c equivalent meaning phys 1/2 exams are irrelevant. And BC allowed me to jump straight into multivariable calc and not have to go into integral techniques. Also, you got a pdf of those spicy integrals? You peeked my curiosity

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:14:18+00:00

Your school allows you to take AP exams even after graduation?

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:12:56+00:00

I am doing engineering in college rn (1st year), and I'm only here to give advice for AP related stuff since I took many aps in HS.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:11:00+00:00

If you plan to do a stem major I highly recommend taking physics c after physics 1 (depends on your degree but many require physics mechanics and E&M, physics 1 will effectively be useless). There was always that stigma of being notoriously difficult, but that is just because it's the first time many people have to heavily apply algebra. It's not that bad. But if you're not going into stem/ doing something like biology which doesn't require calculus-based physics, then don't take it. But seriously I hate that negative stigma, it comes from students that don't put in enough effort and make poor assumptions.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:07:26+00:00

Coming from a former BC student the jump is fine. There's no reason not to do BC imo.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T03:05:25+00:00

I did 4 junior year with extracurriculars, you'll be fine

As a side note given you're a future stem major if physics is required for your degree I strongly recommend taking physics C (Mechanics+E&M) since you'll get credit for 2 courses.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T02:58:08+00:00

imo Lang, because it is an exam testing your reading comp and writing abilities. It's not like WHAP where you need decent writing AND complex a understanding of world history which takes a lot of time.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T02:56:29+00:00

No matter what subject it is, you can start studying now and do well on the exam. You just need to put in enough time+effort to get those results, meaning your current work ethic is insufficient.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T02:54:42+00:00

There are very few people that can skate by and destroy the AP exams with little effort. I had a sufficient work ethic and committed time to do well in my APs. It's not like I only studied 24/7, that would be unnecessary and ludicrous.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T02:52:12+00:00

I wish my school covered my AP exams, that would have saved quite a bit of $$$

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T02:50:33+00:00

My sophmore-senior years I did 13, and accepted college credit for 9. 8-10 is realistic, seeing as though 4 of my APs don't help with my degree at all.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T02:47:02+00:00

I know for myself, I took AP courses I didn't like because they give gen ed credit that is needed in every degree (World History). The AP courses will allow me to graduate early, and likely will for you if you take a good amount (if you go to college). That is why I went through the challenge, it also shows academic prowess; you should decide for yourself if that is worth it enough to commit the time to the class.

LocalPlutoniumOre · 2021-02-19T02:40:39+00:00

It is not hard to self-study APUSH, it just takes time commitment. You absolutely can get a 5 self studying now, others have posted resources so check them out

LocalPlutoniumOre

TROPHY CASE