At my school, you must take Physics (regular only, no honors) before you take AP Physics. The test-out is ridiculously hard, but the regular class is a waste of time. Do I even have to take AP Physics if I’m applying to top schools west and east coast? I know it’s recommended as a core subject, but would it make up for it if I took the test without taking the class? My schedule is also pretty packed with honors and AP classes, including AP Chem and Bio.
As an added note, I seriously am not a physics person… Is it just me or does the thought of torques and revolutions and physics equations turn your stomach?
There is no class which is necessary for any Ivy League school. Some top-tier colleges will recommend a year each of bio/chem/physics plus a year of advanced study in one of those. Among the Ivy League schools, Harvard seems to be the most specific:
In terms of taking the AP test (and I am unclear if you are referencing AP Physics 1 or AP Physics C), it is not needed for college admissions, and colleges are generally unimpressed with self studying exams.
Hopefully you are not planning AP Chem and AP Bio in the same year - that’s a killer.
AP Chem, AP Bio, and AP Physics is a lot of AP science. One of these should suffice if you have the regular or honors level of each. My D adores Physics, but I’m with you I can’t stomach too much of it.
I agree with the other posters that AP Physics isn’t necessary. That said, I believe that some level of physics, whether AP or regular, is a fundamental part of college preparation. If you consider regular physics at your school to be a “waste of time”, that leaves you in a difficult position. If you were my kid, I’d advise you to take the annoying regular class and then take the AP version, but I understand that would be a huge annoyance.
Full disclosure: I took only one physics class in my entire life, in high school, and while it was only the “regular” version, it was truly my favorite HS class, and my son graduated magma cum laude in Physics from Princeton, so I am admittedly biased.
I think you should take the regular Physics class and do well in it. One of the most often repeated pieces of advice I recall hearing at Ivy info sessions was “take Physics.” If your school requires everyone to take regular Physics first, and the test-out is difficult, you can figure that a certain level of knowledge will be assumed in the class and you might find yourself struggling significantly, especially if you actively dislike the subject.
If you are capable of testing out, you are capable of getting an A in the class without undue effort. Since you will have other AP sciences, I’d do that, and let the chips fall where they may. And who knows, you might actually LIKE Physics after all, and choose to take the AP class senior year.
What classes are you taking?
Regular Physics WILL be expected, but AP Physics 1 wouldn’t (nor would AP Physics C, obviously) and taking the AP test without the class is pointless as far as colleges go (they want you in class, learning, participating, doing group work or completing labs, taking tests…)
Since it sound like Regular Physics is an “easy A”, enjoy that chance, take it, and get the A, while taking a rigorous schedule in other subjects.
