My craptacular public school only offers 6 APs, and if I take AP Bio senior year, I will have taken them all. But I’d sort of like to take physics, too (there is only one physics class, no Honors or AP). I can only get one into my schedule no matter what. I hear that some colleges like to see chem, bio, and physics, and I will have regular bio, honors chem, and AP chem in the bag after junior year. Unfortunately, most top students deem the physics class as worthless (you don’t learn much at all), and there is only one teacher (who I dislike) teaching the class. On the other hand, AP Bio will be hard, and I don’t like Bio as much as physics. I’m looking at admissions to top 10 and top 25 colleges, and I think taking every AP may be important given the subpar academics and lack of any reputation at my school. I will probably major in Economics and/or Political Science, so maybe having all three sciences isn’t as important. Thanks for any help!
<p>My school didn't offer any APs, so I took my entire senior schedule (and part of my junior) at a local college. Don't worry about your school's lack of reputation - I was in the same spot last year. I think that if you wanted to take AP Bio you could easily explain on your application that you would have liked to take physics, but you went with a harder course than the physics course your school offered instead.</p>
<p>Thanks. Also, college courses aren't an option because my local CC physics class is taught by the SAME crappy teacher.</p>
<p>O by the way what schools did u get into?</p>
<p>Take the physics course and maybe...self-study AP Physics (<em>cough</em>if you're feeling masochistic<em>cough</em>)?</p>
<p>This sounds like a toss-up so do what you want:</p>
<p>Reasons to take AP Bio: It is an AP course. Regular physics isn't the best course in the world. You don't like the physics teacher.</p>
<p>Reasons to take physics: It will complete the bio-chemistry-physics sequence. You would prefer taking physics to bio. You already have 5 out of the 6 AP courses offered.</p>
<p>I'm leaning towards the Bio. I know that the AP physics test is hard, so I don't think I would do well self studying. Plus, I'm beginning to believe that the bio-chem-physics trio isn't really important for a non math/scinece major. Any thoughts on this? How hard is the AP Bio test?</p>
<p>Even if the teacher is crappy, taking AP bio and physics at the CC will show the type of effort top schools want to see. Maybe you can take some advanced courses at the cc this summer, too to be in really good shape.</p>
<p>yes, but if i take summer classes they would be related to my major, and there aren't any at my CC. Plus as I have stated, the physics class at a CC would be a waste of money IF i dont really need the trifecta of science areas.</p>
<p>drummerdude, you said on another thread that you go to a high school that sends few to top schools, while that can help in some ways, it also means you need to have as much going for you as you possibly can.</p>
<p>A lot of high schools now teach physics in 9th grade because they believe it is an important foundation class. I don't know that I'd want to apply to top 10 colleges without it.</p>
<p>I havn't seen your stats. If you have a 2350 or are a star athlete you can probably get away with it. But if your stats are more average for a top school I think you should bend over backwards to show you are a go getter.</p>
<p>hmmmm, anyone wanna second that? I mean I know physics is very important, I have read some physics and astrophysics material already, plus we get some physics overlap in chemistry. I just want to be able to say that I've taken every AP my school offers, considering that number is only 5.</p>
<p>Also zagat, I believe I will be an average applicant to the top schools, I will have 4.0uw, val, good but prolly not great test scores, but my ECs (leadership, volunteering, work) will leave something to be desired. Thanks for the opinions guys.</p>
<p>drummerdude, one of the reasons I think being from a high school that doesn't offer a lot can be an advantage is that it can give you the opportunity to show how hard you're willing to work to get what's not just handed to you. </p>
<p>Lot's of the kids I've seen on CC have self studied APs, taken numerous cc classes, exceled in free ECs, etc. You still have time, step up to the plate and show these schools you'll jump through hoops for a good education.</p>
<p>I got into MIT (EA) and Harvard (RD). I also had applied to Case and Miami of Ohio... also got in, but they weren't really options after MIT EA</p>
<p>I was in the exact same position last year. AP Bio vs regular physics. Crappy physics teacher. I ended up taking both. This might not be possible with your schedule (and I ended up having to take state required classes as independent studies). If it is, I think it's a good way to go. If not, I'd go with whatever you think you will enjoy most and get the most out of.</p>
<p>Thanks. I don't see any way I can get both in, unless I drop choir or band, which I am not prepared to do. There are really no other ways to do it in time for a college app, unless I tell them I was planning to take physics at a CC summer after senior year, is that a good idea?</p>