I have all APs this semester however I really want to drop AP Physics as I really don’t have the time to maintain my grades as well as my extracurriculars and my job. I got into a few colleges including UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, and MIT. I also have Duke, Brown, and Johns Hopkins for regular decision. Should I even bother emailing these colleges explaining my lack of time for Physics? I was originally planning on saying that physics doesn’t have anything to do with my major (Biology) but I don’t think that’s necessarily true. I don’t know what to do? How bad do you think this will hurt my chances??
FYI : I will replace physics with an honors cte or tech class
In almost all cases, you have to inform the college of the change. Particularly since you are replacing the class with something else, it will probably not be an issue. If a college has an issue, it will tell you. But don’t not tell them and think they will not notice - they will. And they don’t like surprises.
@skieurope I will definitely tell them if I am switching out but am unsure if I should switch out in the first place as I feel as though my reasons are somewhat weak and can hurt my chances.
I just went through this with my guidance counselor and she wouldn’t let me change it, she said it would hurt my chances. I emailed 2 colleges and asked if it would have an effect on my admission and both said yes. I suggest emailing the colleges you applied to and ask if dropping the class would have an impact on admission. If you drop an AP it looks like you can’t handle rigor. I disagree with college’s views about dropping courses, but it is what it is.
Well, TBH, the reasons are weak. It’s not like you did not know that it was unrelated to your major when you signed up for it. For that matter, colleges are not expecting applicants to only have HS classes related to your major. Personally, I would not provide an explanation unless they ask. Again, all you can do is ask. If the colleges say they have an issue with it, you have only 2 choices:
• Stick it out
• Make the schedule change and take your chances that your current acceptances won’t be rescinded and that it does not impact the decisions on your open applications.
IMO, dropping AP Physics will look bad and doing so, or even just asking about it, could have negative repercussions. I’d recommend you stick it out.
Do not drop it until you have received the okay from admitted schools unless you don’t want to attend there anyway. Once you decided to drop it, you also need to notify all pending schools and your admission chance may be affected.
Could you drop an extracurricular or the job instead?