<p>I was told Physics ‘looked good’ so I am taking physics this year (my senior year). Last year, I was in AP Bio and, in the years prior to my junior year, I was in what can be considered Honors Bio and Chem. If the counselor says to take physics, take the physics Senior year. I guess colleges like to see students as ‘well rounded’ in terms of high school courses so I would recommend taking Physics, which isn’t that hard anyway.</p>
<p>I’m going to have to eat my words: I was intrigued by this question, so I picked up the Undergraduate Announcement 2008-2009 for Princeton University and investigated. In the “Admissions” section of the booklet, it states: “Students seeking a B.S.E. degree should have a strong record in mathematics and in the natural sciences, including at least one year of physics.” No other science (chemistry, biology, etc) is mentioned explicitly like physics is. Assuming most selective schools have similar guidelines (even if they aren’t explicitly stated like Princeton’s) I would recommend honors physics next year. Electromagnetism is significantly tougher than mechanics, so be ready. As for all of the people who say physics is easy: I consider myself to be a good student and I excelled in chemistry (5 on the AP, 800 on the SAT II without studying) and biology, and yet I struggle significantly with physics. I’m fairly good at math (I’m in Calc BC as a senior, I got A’s in Honors Geometry and Honors Precalc and a B+ in AB Calc and a 4 on the exam) and yet physics is very difficult for me. In closing: take honors physics, but be prepared for a struggle. Good luck.</p>
<p>The top colleges want to see 4 years of science. At my kids’ schools, the top students all take Honors Bio, Chem, and Physics, and then AP of one of the 3 of them, whichever one they liked best. Some students will take AP Bio or AP Chem as a junior, and then Physics as a senior. </p>
<p>I recall reading in a college admissions book, but can’t remember which one, perhaps Gatekeepers, that the adcoms make a short-hand one-letter note to indicate whether all 3 - Bio, Chem, and Physics were taken (and also a one-letter note to indicate if Calculus was taken, and a few other things.)</p>
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<p>If your son’s school offers 15-20 APs and he is taking 2, I wouldn’t suggest considering Ivy’s or Stanford. I don’t see how his GC could possibly check off most rigorous transcript in the context of his school.</p>
<p>A girl from my school got into Bowdoin ED with a 3.95 and no AP or honors classes.</p>
<p>All I can tell you is that at the info sessions for several Ivy or Ivy-level universities, the advice was “take Physics.”</p>
<p>If that type of school is not a target, then it’s another matter.</p>
<p>My suggestion: Take physics, but take it as a senior. Take AP Bio as a junior, if it can be fit into the student’s schedule.</p>
<p>Rationale: Taking AP Bio as a junior puts the student in a good position to do well on the Bio SAT Subject Test, and scheduling sciences in this order still gives the student exposure to all three of the most important sciences – biology, chemistry, and physics. </p>
<p>Another factor worth considering: AP Bio is a two-period class at most schools, but Honors Physics is usually one period. Moreover, many students have completed enough foreign language by the end of junior year to drop it. This creates space in the senior year schedule for interesting electives.</p>
<p>Thanks for the continuing conversation and comments. </p>
<p>It sounds as if the colleges are smart enough to “count” taking physics if you take it your senior year. The GC made it sound as if it doesn’t count unless you have finished the course before you apply. She said you want to show you can excel in 3 different sciences before you apply. But I don’t necessarily agree with that and think the colleges would be intelligent enought to notice that you are currently taking physics.</p>
<p>As far as APs… If he doesn’t take AP bio, then he would have 2 APs during his junior year and probably 3 during his senior year-- for a total of 5.</p>
<p>So far, S is in the most advanced classes offered at his school in all subjects. The language he is taking is not offered as AP, even for the 4th year. He has had only one elective course so far (music). He hasn’t even met the gym requirement yet because he used his one elective for music. </p>
<p>The principal mentioned that they would really like to add another period to the day to enable more electives, but that is not possible due to funding.</p>
<p>Hope this all makes sense. Thanks everyone; I hope others can gain from this conversation.</p>
<p>Just want to echo what ihs said to mamabear: DS took REGULAR physics, not honors, not AP, studied for one day and made 710 on SAT II. I think a good review book and some study guides from other friends helped.</p>
<p>AP Bio or AP Chem in junior year followed by Hon Physics in senior year does make sense. </p>
<p>Just make sure the senior year has at least as many APs as junior year does, you don’t want to give the impression of slacking off. I think the senior year should be more, not less, rigorous than the junior year.</p>
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<p>Of course Physics should be taken if you are applying to an Engineering program (B.S.E.) or a Science program. If not then taking more Chem or Bio is fine. One of my kids had a friend who was waitlisted at a Big Ten school’s science program because she had not taken a full year of Physics - our school has 2 years of a Bio/Chem/Physics rotation so she had only had 2 trimesters and then Chem, AP Bio and AP Environmental - 5 science classes but not enough Physics…</p>
<p>While I think your GC is right that taking physics is a good idea, I think it’s fine to take it senior year if that is more convenient for the schedule. There’s something to be said for having a somewhat easier schedule senior year when you are trying to write applications, go to interviews and visit colleges.</p>
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<p>Ahh…No.</p>
<p>As to art and physics - I was looking at things about a major in photgraphy as that is what D2 is passionate about and it listed AP Chem as a good class to have on your resume. I know how it would help in photography but I would think it would be very relevant to other art as well.</p>
<p>Now for D1, who is going into engineering, she’ll be heading to college with Honors Bio, Honors Chem , Earth Space, Honors Physics, AP Chem and AP Physics. Now we don’t know how/if it will help with admission but she’s taking them because she loves science and math (multivariable calc now).</p>
<p>So I think it truly depends on the student and the intended major and I’ve heard plenty of students who get in to great colleges without physics. But I agree that the GC may not consider that a rigorous schedule but perhaps getting the GC to see it from your perspective will help. We had to buck some trends at D1s HS to allow her to take all the sciences/maths she wanted along with engineering classes but now as a well accomplished senior she is behind D1 100% and recognizes it was the perfect path for her.</p>
<p>Regarding taking physics senior year . . .</p>
<p>I know someone who got into UPenn ED. They took</p>
<p>9th: Honors Biology
10th: Honors Chemistry
11th: AP Chemistry
12th: AP Physics</p>
<p>Tell your son to take physics if he is at all interested in applying to highly selective institutions, which you mention.</p>
<p>While certainly there are exceptions to every rule, and thus admitted students who defy the odds, most of the country’s top schools like to see physics on a transcript and many request it.</p>
<p>For example. . . .(emphases are my own)</p>
<p>From Stanford’s “Recommended High School Curriculum” page: “Science: three or more years of laboratory science (including biology, chemistry and physics).” ([Academic</a> Preparation : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/selection/prepare.html]Academic”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/selection/prepare.html))</p>
<p>From Harvard’s “Preparing for College” guide: “Since the basic laws of chemistry and physics remain important and valid, since they illustrate how scientific knowledge is acquired, and since they must be learned to understand more recent scientific developments, it is essential that you study chemistry and physics in secondary school. Your college work will build upon these courses. To be well-prepared for college, you should study secondary school science for four years if possible: a year of chemistry, physics, and biology, and a year of advanced work in one of these disciplines. Courses in psychology, astronomy, geology, and anthropology are not appropriate substitutes for these subjects.” ([Harvard</a> College Admissions § Applying: Preparing for College](<a href=“http://admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/preparing/index.html]Harvard”>http://admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/preparing/index.html))</p>
<p>While it sounds like your son isn’t headed towards engineering, Columbia, Duke, Princeton, and Northwestern all “strongly suggest” and/or “emphasize” the need for at least a year of physics in high school if an applicant is interested in engineering or in some cases, just the sciences. Univ. of Pennsylvania requires applicants to its engineering program to have a year of physics and a year of calculus in high school ([Penn</a> Admissions: High School Preparation](<a href=“http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/applying/hsprep.php]Penn”>http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/applying/hsprep.php)). </p>
<p>Why not keep doors open - and take physics - rather than limit options?</p>
<p>I apologize - I just realized the OP was asking about when her son should take physics, not if.</p>
<p>Ultimately I don’t think it matters if he takes it junior or senior year. The point is that he’s taking/taken it.</p>
<p>Momof10, how did your D managed six science classes in 4 years? Did she double up?</p>