Hi, I’m a rising and just got my schedule. I chose to take AP Physics 1 and Spanish 4, but due to a scheduling conflict, I have to take only AP Physics 1 or Physics Honors and Spanish 4. Which do you think I should choose? I plan on going into a STEM related field and want to apply to top 20 schools.
Since you are planning on going into a STEM field I would say that AP physics would show more rigor over Physics Honors . Also you already have your foreign language requirements taken care of so I think you should drop Spanish 4.
What about this thread? http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1998955-should-i-take-spanish-4-or-another-ap.html
Almost everyone here seems to recommend taking Spanish 4 over another AP class
For Highly selective schools, Spanish4+Physics honors would be better (they expect any level of physics and foreign language through level 4).
What else are you taking?
I’m also taking APUSH, AP Calc, AP Computer Science Principles, English III Honors, and possibly another honors science class
Regular high school physics will cover more topics at high school level depth. AP physics 1 will cover half of the topics at somewhat greater depth. If you want to take the SAT subject test in physics, regular high school physics will give you better coverage of its topics.
AP physics 1 (and 2) are not calculus-based, so they will not give useful subject credit for any major that requires calculus based physics (engineering and physical sciences mainly; at some colleges, biology majors also have to take calculus-based physics (sometimes light calculus, though)).