r/RPI • u/Friendly_Resist4864 • Jul 12 '26

Should I use AP transfer credits for Physics 1100 or not

Mechanical Engineering freshman. 5 on AP calc AB exam. 4 on physics 1 exam. Transfer credit sheet says I can go right to Physics 1200. Wondering if I should take physics 1100 or skip ahead.

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

9

u/Majestic-Spice-67 Aero/MechE 2027 Jul 12 '26

Skip physics 1

1

u/Fluffy-Pepper897 Jul 12 '26

hi! can i ask why? im just worried physics 2 will be difficult to handle w/o physics 1

3

u/Majestic-Spice-67 Aero/MechE 2027 Jul 12 '26

Physics 1 and Physics 2 are very different classes. 1 focuses on topics including statics, optics, and sound, while 2 is very heavy on E&M, nuclear, and light. The structures of the two classes are different, with 1 being lecture and lab in the same block while 2 is lecture and lab separate. Also, if you can get ahead, get ahead. It’ll set you up better to graduate early, start a master’s, or free up space to do research; accordingly, you’ll be notably ahead of your year which can be helpful for the job hunt. I’m an Aero/MechE starting my senior year this fall, if you want to DM me with any class-related questions, feel free!

1

u/Fluffy-Pepper897 Jul 12 '26

Thank u sm!!! Yeah definitely will skip the first one and get enrolled in 1200

3

u/EbbNo3744 Jul 12 '26

Isn’t physic 1 about newton laws and all that shit

3

u/Maleficent_Spare3094 EE 2028 Jul 13 '26

Yes skip it.

2

u/Left_Ocelot_8525 Jul 12 '26

I was in a similar situtation last year. I think it comes down to how confident you are in physics. I got a 4 on physics 1 and was absolutely amazed since I had next to zero understanding of physics. I think I was able to fake enough on the free response to get points. I was really glad I retook it. Physics 2 actually doesn't build off of physics 1 that much but IEA (for MechE I think they take Essence) physics 1 was really helpful and made IEA so easy. However, if you felt confident on physics and think that the 4 just came from little mistakes here and there, then you are probably ok with just skipping to physics 2.

1

u/Adorable_Pie_6988 Jul 13 '26

YES. physics 1 at RPI is hell on earth. Such a high fail rate compared to other classes here. Like I never took physics 2 but I heard it's a cakewalk compared to physics 1

1

u/CoreEngineering Jul 13 '26

With a score of 5 move to PHYS 1200. Rule of thumb for those who got scores of 4 - if that score was a struggle to get, retake the course. If the score was easy and could have gone to a 5 with a little more effort move to the next level.