My schedule is really wacky and I can’t take a physics course in my high school career. However, because of this, I self-studied for the AP Physics 1 exam and got a 5 and took the SAT Physics subject test and got an 800. I am also placed Bronze at the US Physics Olympiad(USAPHO). Will top institutions care that I never got a physics credit despite proving myself to be highly proficient in physics?
Thanks
Yes
or no
or maybe
Nobody here can say. You would be well advised to ask the colleges in question. If the reason you could not take a physics class is because of school restraints, and you still have the college’s total suggested years of science, then your accomplishments plus an explanation from your GC should cover the bases at most colleges. And if the balance of your application is amazing, it will matter less.
FWIW, and the plural of anecdote is not data, I did not take bio in HS, although I had 4 years of solid chem and physics courses, and I did well in the admissions lottery.
Self studying and getting a 5 on AP Physics 1 is very commendable. The percentage of people who get a 5 on the AP Physics 1 exam is 5.2% according to this
https://www.totalregistration.net/AP-Exam-Registration-Service/AP-Exam-Score-Distributions.php?year=2018
I am familiar with USAPhO since my kiddo also participated. USAPhO Bronze is also a significant accomplishment. Congratulations ! I am guessing that most AOs will know about this. Do you have 4 years of science including one AP ? What is your intended major ?
Intended major would be mathematics. I will have 3 years of science with 2 APs. Is that ok?
4 would be better, but it really depends upon the college and what they require.If they ask for 3 years of science, you’re probably OK. If they ask for 4 years, then you’re pushing your luck by having neither 4 years nor physics.
I agree with @skieurope
They’ll certainly care enough to notice it and question it. Be sure to explain the situation, what you’ve accomplished, etc., somewhere in your application. I suspect your background will be sufficient to offset the concern, though only asking each specific college will get you accurate information (and even then, I doubt you’ll get anything concrete).
Is there no science you can take this year, even if it’s not Physics? On-line/cyber class? Our school has online honors Physics over the summer, which would be a breeze, I suspect.
What is stopping you from taking Physics?
Sometimes you need to reprioritize your other classes to make sure you are going to get your 4 years of math/science/english/SS/FL in.
Take whatever science is available senior year to have 4 years and make sure your GC addresses the question.
What are you taking next year?
Have you reached level 4 in a foreign language? Whet math are you taking?