HALP! Dilemma

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Okay so, first of all, I probably want major in some type of engineering, likely engineering physics, materials engineering, or something else with a lot of math. I'm obviously pretty good at math, but I realize that engineering also requires a lot of physics (and chemistry depending on the field). I want to attend MIT, Caltech or Cornell, but realize that if I do engineering, they'll be expecting me to have taken some high level physics classes... Which leads to my dilemma:</p>

<p>My school isn't particularly good in any way (academically and otherwise). There are not that many kids who excel academically, and I'm one of at most 5 in a class of 400 that generally get near perfect marks. Because of the apparent difficulty of IB Physics and Chemistry, my school only offers IB in the second year of either class and only offers the standard level. So for physics, people usually take Honors Physics junior year and IB Physics SL II senior year. </p>

<p>Last year when it came time to pick classes, I was stupid and decided not to double up on sciences. My rationale was that it would be better to take Business so that in my junior and senior years when I take IB Business, I'd have some basic knowledge. Also, if I took physics this year, I'd probably have to take some stupid filler class (like art or something ridiculous) senior year to have a full schedule. I'd have already taken IB Physics SL II and with our closed campus policy, I wouldn't be able to take 6/7 classes and leave early. I may have been able to take online classes of classes at a community college, but I'm unsure what I would be able to take and if it would be worth going way out of my way to do.</p>

<p>I'm just now realizing that I probably should have taken the class anyways. I could have gotten further ahead and taken more high level classes, and also now I won't be able to take the Physics SAT II (I won't be prepared for it, unless I study a LOT), and only be able to take the Math IIC and Chemistry SAT IIs (and still have to study for these because of the IB Program) or the ACT.</p>

<p>Anyways, the first quarter is over and it's too late to switch out now, so I'm stuck with Business. The class is a joke, and I have a >99%. Apparently IB Business isn't much harder. </p>

<p>TLDR; Should I have taken Honors Physics this year? Will not having taken IB Physics HL/AP Physics/Physics at a community college be detrimental in admissions? Should I self-study AP Physics over the summer (I doubt I'll have anything more productive to do this summer anyways, but it would be kind of pointless to take Honors Physics/IB Physics SL II if I did this). And lastly: How difficult is it to self-study AP Physics/how long would it take to get through the material (how many hours are we talking here)?</p>

<p>Additional information:</p>

<p>I'm currently a sophomore. </p>

<p>My classes are as follows:</p>

<p>IB Math HL I
AP Government
Honors English
Honors Chemistry
Spanish 3
Business Law/Management
Health/Drivers Ed./P.E. </p>

<p>Core classes, Health/P.E., and 3 years of a foreign language are required for a(n) (advanced + IB) diploma.</p>

<p>Sorry for grammar mistakes, I'm exhausted writing this.</p>

2

<p>I’m quite exhausted, so I’ll keep this short.

  • First, I’m very sad to see that you’re in IB. I’m sorry.
  • It wouldn’t matter if you were in IB Physics HL. I personally don’t think that class is of much use–at least, not at my school. It doesn’t compare favorably with any of the AP Physics classes.
  • Do self-study. Definitely. I have no clue what the hour count would be, but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that self-studying is your best option at this point. After all, if you do wind up at MIT or an institution of similar quality, you will not survive if you do not have a higher-level physics background.</p>
3

<ul>
<li>I feel the same way. Either way, all IB Physics students complain that the stuff cannot be taught in the time it’s taught.</li>
</ul>

<p>-IB Physics HL > Physics B. But nothing compares to AP Physics C</p>

<ul>
<li><p>And why are you sad to see someone in IB?</p></li>
<li><p>Self-studying. MIT OCW. Go.</p></li>
</ul>

4

<p>Oh also, my dad has a M.Sc. in solid state physics and a PhD + MS in physics, so if I self-study and don’t understand something he would probably be able to assist me. </p>

<p>Additional questions:

  • What exactly should I self-study? AP Physics B/C/what?
  • How do I get credit for self-studying? Take the AP Exam? How would I go about doing that if I’m not taking the class? Also, would it count as taking a physics class (as in, would it most likely satisfy the requirement of taking 3 sciences at my school)?
  • If I do self-study, it would be pointless to take Physics Honors/IB Physics SL II, right? That leaves a big gap in my schedule for junior/senior year. :[ wat do?
  • When should I self-study? Would I have sufficient time to do it over the school year or should I do it over the summer? This kind of depends on how time consuming it is, and I’m guessing it’s going to take up a lot of time… but an estimate would be helpful.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

5

<p>Bump for more advice.</p>