So I’m deciding whether I should take AP English or AP Physics 1 next year. They are both the same period and offered once a day, so I can only take one. I’m aiming for BS/MD programs such as northwestern hpme, rice/Baylor, etc. would dropping to honors English affect my chances at all, or should I drop AP Physics and take it next year (senior year) with AP chemistry? I’m having a hard time deciding because I love science but over this past year I have also started really liking English.
Also, how would studying French independently next year affect my chances at top colleges? It also will not fit in my schedule.
All answers will be very appreciated, thank you!
Taking two lab sciences in one year, especially AP sciences, is not recommended. That said, AP Physics 1 doesn’t mean as much to colleges (as far as I can tell) as AP English. I think if you’re dead-set on taking AP Physics, then take it now. Otherwise, I would take AP English and not take AP Physics at all unless you’re certain you can handle it senior year.
Have you taken honors physics? If not, fit it in this year or next.
Ugh. I really dislike schools that schedule single sections against each other like that. Can you take AP English (Lang?) and AP Chem junior year, leaving AP Physics I for senior year? If not, as long as you’ll have some physics exposure at some point, I agree with the advice to choose English.
My kid did a combination of tutoring / conversation table / summer immersion for French 3, due to scheduling conflict, and then took AP French the following year without issue. I do think that some regular formal structure is a better plan than flipping through a textbook periodically.
No way, “AP Physics 1 doesn’t mean as much to colleges…as AP English.” Certainly not for a STEM kid. And one aiming for the very competitive bsmd programs. Plus, with standord in the username.
Foreign language can sometimes give a bit, when it clearly conflicts with higher STEM needs. But have you finished French 2? Can you pick up F3 in senior year? Or take it online?
The AP English question is trickier. I think you may be ok going with honors English. You can put a 2 line explanation in Addl Info, that there was a legit conflict that year. And possibly have the GC note it. Can you ensure you’ll take an English AP in 12th? The non-STEM rigor is good.
Well I have to take physics since it is required for a lot of bs/md programs. I think I have decided to take AP physics and AP chemistry the same year. I know a lot of people on here don’t recommend taking both at the same time, but it is actually quite common at my school and people do well. Also there’s no honors physics course, but we learn physics for one semester in freshman year. I really wanted to take AP physics this year, but I definitely don’t want to take honors English so it will have to wait.
@lookingforward The French independent study will appear on my transcript and will count as French 3. yes, I can definitely take AP English senior year. Either way I’ll take AP physics at some point, I just don’t know how important AP English is.
@lookingforward I mean, a lot of colleges I was looking at during the application process don’t even take credit for AP Physics 1 because of the fact that it’s algebra based and isn’t truly a college level course in their eyes. Would that not be an accurate indicator of how much they really care about taking the course?
OP, if you mean indep study with the hs teacher, I think you’re fine. He or she will hold you to the same standards, right? STEM kids sometimes need to do this and yes, it beats just dropping foreign lang.
If you decide to double up on AP lab sci senior year, be careful to do well. And you’d want a great LoR from one of them- partly because you won’t have the full year of grades or AP scores. You’re thinking, which is good. Talk to the GC, as well.
@zbrown01 No. You’re speaking of credit once in college. First, one has to be admitted. And not only is OP going for some rather competitive colleges, but a bsmd program that’s usually tough(er) to get into.
OP, make sure you have the right ECs and the right balance for applying to both those schools and the bsmd. As usual, have happy safety plans that you can afford.
Is it AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature? You can self study and take the AP Language and Composition exam if you are good in English grammar etc. My daughter did this as her school did not offer the course as an AP. However, many selective colleges want to see you complete 4 years of English at the high school level.
Take AP physics 1 and honors English if you can take AP English and AP chem senior year.
Doing well in science is more important than AP Lang…Take AP Physics and take Honors English like @MYOS1634 said.
Also as a senior you will appreciate this…you will be applying to college in the fall which is like a time consuming EC and you will have senioritis in the spring.
Taking two lab sciences at the same time can be extra work… especially when also writing college applications… but a pre-med will have to do that on a regular basis in college, along with allocating time for pre-med extracurriculars, studying for the MCAT, and medical school applications.
I got the advice a couple years ago on here to not take certain classes just to impress colleges, but rather adequately prepare. What class is going to be best for YOU? Which one will be best to manage with other courses? However, HPME is a highly competitive program, and if I remember correctly, there are requirements to even apply to HPME. I think your best decision is to take the courses required to even apply to some of the joint degree programs.