<p>Most college students change their major several times, so I wouldn’t give it too much importance in terms of choosing high school classes. Just because something isn’t relevant to your current intended major doesn’t mean it’s useless to take. The purpose of high school is to get a reasonably well-rounded education, not to enjoy your classes (though it’s nice when it happens) or have an easy time. But even in college you’ll have opportunities to take intro science classes if you develop an interest in them, so at the end of the day it wouldn’t be a big deal if you chose AP Environmental Science over physics. </p>
<p>
If they recommend taking physics, then on some level probably yes. But it’s just one class, so the effect is probably negligible. They’re not going to reject you just for something like this, if that’s what you mean. </p>
<p>If it isn’t something that’ll make or break it, and you have a better chance of doing well and enjoying one class over another, why not?</p>
<p>Hi guys, no I’m not scared off, you guys just add new posts faster than I can reply!
Physics is particularly difficult at my school and from asking around to people currently taking it, it seems that is quite a challenge. STEM subjects are not at all my strength, far from it. I just want my 3rd science credit and want to know which is best for me. If I took Physics, I would most likely get a C/C+, maybe a B- or a B if everything was perfect. APES, probably a B, since I know who teaches that, and it probably won’t be too challenging.</p>
<p>I’m attracted to APES because there does not seem to be much in the way of calculations/math, so I can probably do better than Physics, where I will probably get caught up in the math, which is not my strength.</p>
<p>The concern I have is which would colleges rather see?</p>
<p>Colleges would rather see Physics but certainly not a C in it. Why do you think APES will land you at a B- if it is devoid of calculations (which it isn’t, but let’s just stay with the hypotheticals) - if everything was “perfect” couldn’t you get an A since the math part is what bothers you? </p>
<p>It’s a difference between a 4.0 and a 2.0. </p>
<p>I’d take the 4.0, no sweat.</p>
<p>Maybe I was a bit pessimistic, I probably could get an A, but this is all estimation. I can say for sure that I could do better (perhaps a letter grade) in APES than Physics.</p>
<p>Would a business school or other non-science oriented university really care about which I take?</p>
<p>See, this is where I thought, no, and if they did, it would be minuscule. But others here seem to disagree.</p>
<p>They’ll care in the sense that everything matters if holistic admissions and if the school explicitly recommends Physics and you didn’t take it, it’ll be of consideration. However, “care” as in consideration is not synonymous with “destroy your application.”</p>
<p>Where can I find specific requirements for certain schools? I don’t see anything on their websites.</p>
<p>Do you have specific schools in mind?</p>
<p>I strongly disagree that you will be less competitive if you take APES. Yes physics is somewhat preferred, yet if you are not going into a science field, or going into environmental science related field this is less relevant.</p>
<p>I stand against the notion that not going to physics will not get you into college. For empirical evidence here are just some of the colleges my peers who took APES this year and last year have been able to get into: 2 students to College of William and Mary, 1 student going to Cornell, 1 student to George Washington University, 1 student to the University of Vermont on a full tuition scholarship. Granted, these students were also great students, but one course choice will not make a difference. Go with what you’re passionate about.</p>
<p>I almost took AP physics, a subject I absolutely would struggle with, instead of APES precisely because of threads like these on CC last year that said it would make me “less competitive.” If you have no preference, sure go with physics, but if you want to learn more beyond classic high school courses and something you can actually use to impact the world, go with APES. If you can take both, you can do that too.</p>
<p>In addition, if we’re comparing regular physics to APES, it’s like apples and oranges here. I would say APES would offer more rigor than just regular, or even perhaps honors physics course. There is alot of knowledge and content understanding involved, and at our school we were able to complete independent research projects, which was really neat. If you need to take physics in college, then taking physics in hs might give you a good background, but if not, go with your gut.</p>
<p>@mrnephew considering I got 2 full-tuition scholarships and an outside one, it’s irrelevant. My grade was due to a problem with the teacher and was explained in my common app essay (when did you experience failure) and by my counselor rec. Don’t assume anything.</p>
<p>@shawnspencer none of us are arguing that OP won’t get in anywhere, but it can and most likely will affect admissions at top schools. Lower tier schools may or may not depending on the admission requirements. But it won’t “shut them out” of admissions.</p>
<p>@guineagirl96 right, I just don’t believe that taking physics is as crucial an element in the admissions process as people on here often make it out to be. Like I mentioned, many of those people were able to get into top schools, myself included, without taking physics. On the W&M website for instance, they highly recommend taking all of the core sciences, including physics, but as shown with the people that were able to gain admissions without taking it, there are more important factors to consider.</p>
<p>Perhaps a better question to the OP would be, how good are your math skills? If you would likely struggle with math and it is a weaker subject, it may be worth it to take APES. Honestly though, I don’t think a regular physics course would have more rigor over and AP Environmental Science course. If it were honors or AP Physics, that might be a different story, but you can’t really go wrong here.</p>
<p>Which has been my point all along. Because the OP states that he is not very good at math, it’s quite clear that he’d do better in APES. </p>
<p>I don’t know how to quote things here on CC, but the OP @randomusername11 said earlier</p>
<p>"Physics is particularly difficult at my school and from asking around to people currently taking it, it seems that is quite a challenge. STEM subjects are not at all my strength, far from it. I just want my 3rd science credit and want to know which is best for me. If I took Physics, I would most likely get a C/C+, maybe a B- or a B if everything was perfect. APES, probably a B, since I know who teaches that, and it probably won’t be too challenging.</p>
<p>I’m attracted to APES because there does not seem to be much in the way of calculations/math, so I can probably do better than Physics, where I will probably get caught up in the math, which is not my strength.</p>
<p>The concern I have is which would colleges rather see?"</p>
<p>In this case, I think APES would be a better fit for you. In APES there’s alot of content, so I wouldn’t naturally assume it is easier, but if you are not a math/science person, it could find it more interesting and thus be more motivated to do well in it. Unless it is crucial for your college, I think passion trumps doing something you want to do for someone else’s sake. (I am reminded of the analogy of doing something you don’t want to do in order to sit at a table at lunch or doing it because “my parents made me”)</p>
<p>I too probably would have did poorly in physics if I had taken it, but you shouldn’t go into it automatically assuming you won’t work hard (which I admittedly did). Several of my peers who came from ACP (regular) classes actually got better grades than me first semester because they were incredibly smart and passionate about the subject</p>
<p>APES will satisfy your 3 years of HS Science however, Physics will make you more competitive. I’ve looked at many college websites and most are looking for a student to have 3 lab Sciences which includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics. </p>
<p>I think having Physics is more of a benefit than its absence a detriment. </p>
<p>@shawnspencer it’s [ quote=username ]text
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without the space in between brackets. :)</p>
<p>APES includes a lab science as well. As far as I know, many aren’t to specific about which courses with labs to take… with the exception of a few such as MIT. I agree with preamble’s assessment of the physics situation. Good luck to you OP.</p>
<p>thank you @mrnephew !</p>