And the physics teacher came up to me and said that because I didn't do to well on the AP screener. prereq for the AP is trig and the pre req for Honors is calc, it even says that ap is trig based in the course description, Idk why it seems bassackwards to me too. Psu was my choice for a backup the only thing I heard is that average sat for getting accepted to main campus as a freshman is 1800. I don't have the money right now to sign up for another sat let alone a prep book, ill search around for freebies. Although I am signed up for the SAT question of the day and haven't missed a day yet.
Now that I think of it - I think your school offers AP Physics B. Take note, that there are two different levels of AP Physics, one is Bravo and the other is Charlie. I am taking AP Physics C, which requires calculus. I am assuming your school offers B, which from what I have heard - does not require calculus. Physics C is a harder course, as it is more geared towards engineering.
Don't be too worried about getting 1800; I got in with 1580 - to main campus. If you're still interested in going to PSU, send me a PM sometime in the fall or something, and I'll be happy to show you around.
Go to your local library and rent a couple practice books if money is an issue; that's what I did.
I know that if you are on free and reduced lunch in the state of Georgia, you get a couple free SAT/ACT tests, I believe the number is four, and 8 waivers for college applications. I wasn't on it personally, though most of my friends were.
Pennsylvania does something similar to this, my friend is in that boat - will have to inquire about this.
When summer lets out, I would recommend starting to do some soul searching and seeing what you truly want to do. Really take some time and sit down to think about where you want to be in 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years; make a list of pro's and con's for each. If you can do some college visits and if possible, contact the ROTC admissions officer and tell him of your situation. He/she can definitely give you some guidance as to what you want to do. You can talk to an enlisted recruiter ... but tread very carefully - most will try to enlist you no matter what you say, there is the occasional exception - but too few and far in between.