<p>if your S is considering highly selective colleges, and he is strong in math, then physics and calc. </p>
<p>Stats is a great class, but the only math competence one needs is Algebra I. (Many HS require completion of Alg II as a prereq, but it is not necessary according to CB.) Also, Intro Stats (roughly equivalent to AP) is taught at colleges everywhere.</p>
<p>Bio, Physics and Chem trump all other lab sciences for competitive schools.</p>
<p>For any of the more competitive schools, he should definitely take calculus and physics.</p>
<p>The OP's question was around regular physics vs. AP Enviro. I still vote for regular physics because it's an expected part of a college preparatory curriculum. If the OP's son could double up and take BOTH AP Enviro and physics then it would be great, but I wouldn't ever skip something as basic as a physics class for an elective.</p>
<p>If a student will be applying to selective schools (though not super-elite), would he be expected to take AP calculus even if he is heading towards a liberal arts degree?</p>
<p>what about regular calculus (or is there such a thing anymore)?</p>
<p>This is my relatively uninformed opinion, but high school classes should provide a solid foundation for college. Things like geology, environmental science, and statistics are better explored at the college level, especially if a student is not a "science person." With some grounding in basic chemistry and physics a student is well prepared to delve into geology or astronomy or similar, and at most colleges there are science classes in those subjects that are designed for non-science majors.</p>
<p>I think statistics also belongs in college, because each major will sometimes require its own specialized stat class. Back in the dark ages, statistics classes were taught by the individual departments: the business school had its required stat series, the psych dept. had its requirements, and so on.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the feedback. S will not be applying to Ivy League schools but will have a couple of reaches in the next tier. I am not sure what a match will be for him. His GPA is on a big upward trend (good, I know) but is still way low, suffering from a bad freshman year which carried over to soph yr. It is great to see him working hard this year and enjoying his classes. It is clear he is planning his schedule in anticipation of senioritis! Definitely not looking for the "most challenging curriculum!" I will make the case for AP calc and Physics, but he does so much better if he enjoys the class I won't force anything on him. </p>
<p>We will see how the SATs come back, but in our highly competitive smallish public hs which does not rank he is in the 4th decile! I think that will rule out a few schools that should have been matches, but the upward trend and probably SATs will help.</p>