Do I Have to Take Physics in High School?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi everybody,</p>

<p>I am scheduled to select my classes for my junior year of high school in a few weeks and am at a bit of a cross as to which science class I should take. First, I will give you a history of the classes I have taken freshman and sophomore years:</p>

<pre><code> Grade 9:
</code></pre>

<p>-Honors Biology
-English 9 Honors
-Global History and Geography 9 Honors
-Drawing and Design for Production
-Spanish II
-Financial Planning/Banking and Credit
-Regents Geometry</p>

<pre><code> Grade 10:
</code></pre>

<p>-AP European History
-Regents Chemistry (no honors offered)
-Regents Algebra II/Trigonometry
-Spanish III
-Accounting I
-College Business Mathematics (3 SUNY Credits)
-English 10 Honors</p>

<p>Now, I am having trouble picking science classes for junior and senior years. I want to take both AP Environmental Science and AP Biology, but everyone says that taking Physics is very important. However, my school only offers a Regents level Physics course, no college or AP. After taking a regents science class this year, I do NOT want to take another one because of how simplistic the courses and exams are. </p>

<p>I plan to take the following courses junior and senior years:</p>

<pre><code> Grade 11:
</code></pre>

<p>-College American History (study for AP Exam) (6 SUNY Credits)
-AP English Language and Composition
-College Algebra and Trigonometry (6 SUNY Credits)
-College Spanish IV (4 SUNY Credits)
-College Financial Accounting (4 SUNY Credits)
-Business Computer Applications
-Either AP Biology or Regents-level Physics</p>

<pre><code> Grade 12:
</code></pre>

<p>-AP US Government and Politics
-AP English Literature and Composition
-College Calculus I and II (8 SUNY Credits) (study for AP Calculus Exam)
-College Spanish V (4 SUNY Credits) (Study for AP Spanish Exam)
-College Micro-Economics (3 SUNY Credits) (Study for AP Exam)
-Health
-Either AP Biology (if I take Physics junior year) or AP Environmental Science (if AP Bio junior year)</p>

<p>So my question really is, if I am taking two other AP-level science courses, would it be acceptable to skip a New York State Regents-level Physics course in the eyes of prestigious college admissions officers (i.e. Ivy Leagues, Duke, etc.)?</p>

<p>I hope my question wasn't too long! Thank you in advance!</p>

2

<p>The most selective schools do prefer to see students take all three of biology, chemistry, and physics in high school. There are no introductory-level physics courses at the college you will be taking the college courses at?</p>

3

<p>You really don’t want to dodge physics just because it’s too easy - there’s no penalty for that if that’s all they offer. Elite schools really prefer students to have had at least one course in all three basic sciences over any other combination, especially if you’ll be taking anything science related in college. (I am reminded of one of my students who insisted she didn’t need to take physics or chemistry, because she wanted to be a doctor, all she needed was bio. I had a recurring nightmare that I was going to wind up in the ER, and she was going to be my attending. Thank the gods that career path didn’t work out.)</p>

<p>If you wanted something more challenging, taking an Intro Physics class, calculus based, senior year at your local community college might be an option. Talk to your GC about how easy that is to do at your HS.</p>

4

<p>My high school does not offer any dual-enrollment, college-level physics courses. I will not be majoring in a science-related field. I plan to do a double-major in Finance and History, or just Finance if I cannot double-major. I will probably take Physics senior year. This way I will not have an overload of AP and College courses in my senior year.</p>

<p>Thank you both!</p>