Hello, so I’m kind of conflicted right now and could use some advice. So usually at my school they offer three Physics classes. One for freshmen, one for Juniors/Seniors and then AP Physics. I had signed up for the Physics class for upperclassmen but not enough people signed up so I was automatically put into AP Physics for next year. My problem is, any class that has to do with AP has always made me nervous because I figure it’s super hard and I’ll fail. My college counselor at school had me meet the AP Physics teacher and he was nice. He told me if AP was too hard for me that I could do the upperclassmen Physics class work but stay in his AP class. My other option is to take Chemistry. My college counselor at school is wanting me to think it over but she really wants me to try the AP Physics class especially since I get good grades in my classes. I guess I just want to know what to expect and see if it’s a good choice for me. I’m afraid of getting burnt out in my senior year of high school. I’ve never taken an Algebra based science class but have to for college admissions. My education has been largely life science based since I’ve taken biology and veterinary science. Thank you for reading!
Which AP physics? C? And regular chem or AP chem? What is your intended major?
Are you a sophomore or a junior? Both AP Physics (any version) & AP Chemistry are hard classes. Have you taken regular or honors Chemistry? If not, I’d suggest you take Chemistry first. Chemistry will be important to a future veterinary science classes. Tough to jump into AP classes without a solid grounding. And for AP Physics C you definitely need calculus. That said, if you’ve already taken Bio, try getting into that AP class, AP Biology does touch on biochemistry and some other chemistry topics, but it’s doable without chemistry.
Not AP Physics C, just the first AP Physics, I don’t know what it’s called. And regular Chemistry. I’m not totally sure what I want to go into. I’m thinking school counseling, teaching, or biology or something.
I’m going to be a senior next year, I only have a few days left of junior year. I’m just trying to decide between AP Physics or regular Chemistry. My counselor wants me to try AP Physics to challenge myself and because it’ll look good for colleges next year but I’m nervous I won’t do well. So I guess I just want to know what it’s like and if AP Physics is doable for someone like me who has never taken AP classes. I have gotten A’s in my regular algebra 2 and my geometry class but I don’t know how it compares. I would love to take AP Bio and go deeper into life sciences but I can’t because I’m a senior, my schedule is full, and I need that algebra based science class for college admissions
Nothing is difficult, until you try it. Go and take AP Physics and challenge yourself.
At our school (which to be fair is rural and doesn’t have extremely high AP pass rates) you don’t even have to have any physics background to take AP Physics (1), and you have more experience than that, so I’d assume you’d be fine. I think that it would be a good challenge to take AP Physics and you always do have the bail option. However, if you’ve never taken a chemistry class in your life that would be weird if applying to top schools. I’d say go AP Physics unless colleges you want to apply to recommend some chemistry.
You should take a Bio, Chem and Physics during HS.
I think you are in a no lose situation…Sign up for AP Physics and then if it doesn’t work then have it be Honors Physics.
I agree. It’s win win. Take AP physics 1 and if it really is too hard it’ll become honors physics.
You got As in algebra2 - you can do this. 