<p>If i already have one year of physics honors under my belt, and I'm taking AP Chem, AP Calc BC, and AP chinese for senior year, is it essential that I take AP Physics senior year as well? Will this really help me in terms of getting into a decent engineering school such as Penn/Columbia?</p>
<p>No, it's not essential. No, it probably won't change your future admission decision. Yes, it will be helpful. I think.</p>
<p>If you're aiming for engineering, I'd recommend taking AP Physics C over AP Chemistry, but if your school only offers Physics B, that's not really useful for you. It probably wouldn't matter to Penn and Columbia, but it would to MIT and Caltech.</p>
<p>I took Physics B and Chem. I think Chem was more advantageous because it cancelled classes. Physics B does nothing.</p>
<p>I also took Physics B and Chem, my school does offer Physics C but no one has taken it for the past 3 years so I just took Physics B. Even though now I wish I had taken Physics C but if the school doesn't offer I would still reccomend taking PhysicsB it can't hurt you.</p>
<p>I dont take any AP classes. Is that going to hurt?</p>
<p>does your school offer them? If not then it won't hurt you.</p>
<p>If you don't take AP classes it usually won't hurt your admissions but its usually a good idea to show engineering skills that you are deft with Math/Sciences.</p>
<p>I'd highly advise you to take Physics C AP (if you can pass/do well on it) at some schools this will class you out of 2 semester of Frosh Physics and lab.</p>
<p>Penn/Columbia are competitive schools (not sure about engineering) but make sure you have top grades/good marks.</p>