<p>For the past three years of my life, I've known that I'd somehow end up going pre-med, even if I wasn't 100% sure of wanting it. This is why I chose to take AP Bio junior year.. instead of phys. Everything would've been pretty peachy keen until I took up an bioengineering internship and I actually quite enjoy what I do. So now I'm lost... I haven't taken any physics so I've been torn between dropping orchestra (which i enjoy, and is weighted for seniors in the highest orch - a bonus) and ap spanish (4 years of language is looked better upon but apparently the ap spanish teacher at my school isn't so great..) in order to make room for phys. But I'm also preparing for the worst case scenario - applying bme without taking ANY physics in high school. </p>
<p>I am solid with math (taking calc III through uiuc this year) and am going to take AP chem this year as well.. Got a 5 on the bc exam and a 4 on the bio exam (I honestly believe I would've gotten a 5 if they hadn't redone the curve + noise distraction - AP music theory was testing next door and we heard ALL of the music... it was great.. really..).</p>
<p>Will not taking physics greatly hurt my chances of getting admitted as a BME @ WashU?</p>
<p>I think taking physics is much more important than a 4th year of language, but couldn’t you just take it online or something? I’m not sure about WashU requirements with physics, but I know even my state’s public schools REQUIRE physics for anyone pursuing a career in the maths/sciences. Even if WashU doesn’t require it, I’m guessing it’s at least highly recommended. I would definitely email a rep from the school. I did a visit recently and all of the people there seemed very friendly and I’m sure they’d answer any questions you have quickly!</p>
<p>I can’t speak specifically about the biomedical engineering program, but what I can tell you is that if you have not had physics in high school, then you cannot take chemistry during your freshman year at WUSTL, as high school chemistry and physics are prerequisites to taking the first-year chemistry sequence (unless you speak to someone in the chem dept. to get permission)</p>
<p>This is from the school’s BME website:</p>
<p>Most candidates’ transcripts should include:
Four years of English
Four years of mathematics (the Engineering School recommends calculus)
Three to four years of history & social science
Three to four years of laboratory science (the School of Engineering & Applied Science recommends biology, chemistry, and physics)
At least two years of a foreign language</p>
<p>^PsychoDad - I agree with you that the OP would be far better served to take physics in high school if he/she wants to major in any form of engineering in college (bme included, of course).</p>
<p>That being said, I will just point out that no one checks those pre-reqs for gen chem (or almost any class, tbh). Not taking it in high school is not going to prevent someone from taking gen chem.</p>
<p>But to reiterate… forgetfulgreen, you really should take at least a rudimentary physics class in high school. And that’s a recommendation regardless of whether or not you end up at WashU. </p>
<p>Is there no other way for you to fit in Physics? Also, don’t you already have 4 years of a language? I dropped AP french my senior year for another class, but already had 4 years because 7th+8th counts as 1 year when colleges look at your transcript.</p>
<p>I agree with getting physics into the hs schedule- because it will be relevant to adcoms. As will math-sci activities in hs and the internship. When they look at your overall prep for bme, it’s good to show you took physics. You can always explain dropping orchestra or the 4th year of language to make your schedule work.</p>
<p>I think it’s important to take physics for engineering in high school. However, if you are solidly qualified I don’t think you’d be rejected from being admitted based on that alone. You could always self study physics before taking chem and calculus based physics.</p>
<p>WashU doesn’t admit students based on majors or colleges within the U. You can change major from art history to BME in no time. Don’t sweat too much about a particular course. Having said that, IMHO, any serious student should take physics in HS, even if it’s just general physics. But that is me, not admissions policy or what not ;)</p>