So my school doesn’t allow us to take more than one science at one time. Biology is required for all freshmen, then I took Chemistry Honors, AP Chemistry, and now AP Bio. I took AP Calc BC and APCS too. I’m now realizing that I may need physics to major in bioengineering, and I planned to take dual enrollment with my local community college during 2nd semester of my senior year, but will this look bad to colleges? Is there anything I can do? Thanks!
Can you take it first semester, at the high school, so at least something shows on the transcript? You don’t necessarily need hs physics to study BE in college, but why risk being blindsided by the college course? And for a top tier, you can need it for the admit. Many ask for 4 years of lab sci and look for physics, for an engineering hopeful.
Lately, some chat on CC about the risks of taking a rigorous science class DE.
It depends on where you are applying. Some schools specify wanting bio, chem, and physics. Personally I think it would be in your best interest to take physics in high school so you have some exposure before college.
Physics in college will be more difficult if you have not had high school physics.
So my school doesn’t allow us to take more than one science at one time<<<<<<<<
That is close to unbelievable. How is this possible?
Yes you need physics.
To protect your GPA you may want to take “introduction to Physics for non majors” so that you have a gentle exposure, v. Physics for engineers which is highly to weed out students who never took physics as well as a bunch who did to boot.
It’s a bit too late to take it first semester. Do you think doing 6-week dual enrollment will help at all? I know I’d probably have to take some sort of formal course later before college in order to actually understand physics, but what about for college admissions purposes?
Yeah… they want us to have balanced schedules so we can’t really double up in anything.
A more balanced high school schedule over four years would have included at least one physics course among your four years of science courses.
What about summer at the cc?
Balance? What colleges and are you a senior now?
OP is a current senior per the first post.
Ok, so missing options to take physics before 12/31.
Schedule your Physics class (intro class for non majors from community college, NOT General Physics) for the Spring and list it on your SRAR.
Yeah… they want us to have balanced schedules so we can’t really double up in anything.<<<<<<<<<
That does not sound definitively like it isn’t allowed? It really seems impossible that a school could wield so much power as to hamstring any kid this way. Especially if you have to honors before AP for each science. Is this some kind of rural public school with limited teachers? That can’t be he case looking at all your other courses. BYU will have online physics if your own school doesn’t have online classes.
It is unfortunate the district does not require Physics. It is useful for engineering prep and also (along with Car ) for helping students know that they are interested in Engineering.
Would this still be a problem for me if I choose to major in biochemistry? When I was choosing my senior year courses I was assuming I’d major in biochem so that’s why I chose AP Bio instead of Honors Physics. Would it help to explain my plan for taking physics in my additional information section of the common app?
Maybe noting biochem does get around this. One line in Addl Info can explain physics wasn’t an option in senior year. But talk with your GC about this. Consider the recomendations above to take an easier physics cource at cc. If this is planned by your submit date, it goes in the section listing 2nd semester courses. Yes, you could also note it in Addl Info. But keep the epxlanation there very brief. The don;t need details. Good for you for seeing this alternative.
Biochemistry majors generally have to take physics, though they are commonly allowed to take a less-math version than any engineering majors. However, such physics courses will be filled with pre-meds competing for scarce A grades, so it may be disadvantageous to take such physics courses without having had any high school physics.
Unfortunately, fall community college courses are already in session. If I register for a winter course, do you know if it could possibly show up in my 2nd sem courses? For example, I’m taking econ/AP gov and my transcript will show that I’m taking AP Gov second semester. Could physics at a cc show up like this? Thanks for your comments!
Yeah, I definitely want to take physics and will be sure to take it before I go to college. Thanks!