Hi, so as of now I have little to no interest in going into a STEM-related field. That said, I know that lots of colleges like to see 4 years of all four core subjects. Which would be more worth my time to take in senior year: AP Chemistry or AP Physics C? I’ve already taken GT Chemistry in sophomore year (I am a junior now), so I have a basic background in chemistry. However, would colleges prefer to see me take a physics class so I complete the science “trifecta” (bio, chem, physics)? I have not taken a physics class before, but I am currently taking AP Calc AB and have gotten decent grades. Any advice is appreciated!
AP Physics C is for hard-core STEM students and almost all high schools require intro physics first. Don’t take if science is not your thing, especially if the class is both mech and E&M.
Yes, top colleges would like to see the trifecta, but this can be fulfilled with honors physics or AP Physics 1.
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APES has that “less science-y” reputation, but I’ve been told that at least here in CA the top public colleges (Cal, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, etc.) prefer to see the science trifecta.
D20 was not into STEM either. She took Earth Science (our 10th grade science course) in 8th, Honors Bio in 9th, Honors Chem in 10th, and Regents Physics (no honors section offered) in 11th. She did not take science in 12th and no AP science class at all. Instead, she chose to take both AP English offerings and all of the AP Social Studies classes offered at her high school. She couldn’t fit either AP math class into her schedule but managed to take pre-Calc and an IB math class. She loved her foreign language and completed dual enrollment classes through 2 200-level classes at the local state university. She is attending a T20 LAC, considering a few non-STEM majors. YMMV but our experience was it was OK to pass on AP science as long as you max out offerings in other core subject areas.
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What science have you already taken?
If you have not taken physics before, it is a good idea to take it. Here is what various physics courses cover:
- High school physics: overview of general physics topics at the high school level; requires algebra.
- AP physics 1: half of general physics topics at a more in-depth level than high school physics; requires algebra.
- AP physics 2: other half of general physics topics at a more in-depth level than high school physics; requires algebra.
- AP physics C mechanics: mechanics using single variable calculus.
- AP physics C E&M: electricity and magnetism using single variable calculus.
Although calculus-based physics is usually considered the more difficult version, some students who are strong in calculus find it easier to understand physics with calculus than without.
I have already taken GT Bio in 9th grade, GT Chem in 10th, and I am currently enrolled in APES this year.
Seems like the way to get the best balanced science courses in high school is to take a physics course of your choice.
I agree - a normal or honors Physics class would be a good choice. AP Physics 1 if that’s offered and you’re good with honors courses, but not AP Physics C.
Either Honors Physics or AP Physics 1 would be a good choice in that case.