Hey guys, I’m a high school junior going through the process of filling out next year’s courses. I plan on applying to college as a prospective computer science major and will be aiming for T20 universities in my reaches category. I’m going through a bit of a dilemma right now when it comes to deciding what science course to take next year. I’m currently enrolled in Honors Physics, which is the equivalent of AP Physics 1 at most high schools. In the spring, I will be taking three standardized physics tests for this year: physics 1 (AP), physics 2 (AP), and physics (SAT II). To be completely honest, this year’s science course has been a real struggle for me. I pulled by last semester narrowly with an A (92%) and am concerned about heading on to AP Physics C next year. I’ve heard the class is definitely a step up from algebra-based physics, and considering my involvement in other activities, I’m not sure I can manage the time commitment. However, as someone who is looking to enter a STEM major, I know the hardest science classes offered are expected for admission to top-tier colleges.
Current, junior-year course-load:
Honors Physics
AP Calculus AB
Honors Digital Electronics
AP United States Government / AP Comparative Government
AP English Language & Composition
AP Spanish Language & Culture
AP Computer Science Applications
Possible senior-year course-load:
AP Calculus BC / D.E. Calculus III
AP Microeconomics / AP Macroeconomics
AP Statistics
AP English Literature & Composition
P.E. / Health
AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, or AP Environmental Science (can’t decide)
Currently, I’m leaning towards taking AP Biology, even though as a computer science major it’s not really related to what I want to do in college. Would this science class hurt my chances at top colleges, or will the math-heavy courses in the rest of my schedule make up for it? Any feedback is appreciated, thanks!
Based on your schedule, and the fact that you will have taken physics, I have no problem with you choosing not to take AP Physics next year so that you can instead pursue interest in another science.
Since you took both the equivalent of AP Physics 1 and 2, essentially AP Physics C is the same as 1 and 2 except that C (Mech and E&M) is Calc based and 1/2 is Algebra based. So in a weird way it’s somewhat of a repeat class, concept-wise but a lot harder implementation-wise.
Some students who are strong at math may find physics concepts easier to understand when using calculus. Of course, if the calculus-based physics course gives harder problems, it could be harder in that respect.
My school structures it’s higher level math class as Calculus I (both semester junior year), Calculus II (first semester senior year), and Calculus III (second semester senior year). The senior-year course is not truly “Calc BC” as it only covers the C content, but the majority of Calc II/III senior take the BC test at the end of the year. No juniors are allowed to take BC.
Thank you for your comment, the only caveat I might attatch is that I wouldn’t be refraining from taking Physics C out of “interest to pursue another science.” Out of the classes offering, Physics C does sound the most interesting to me. It’s more along the lines of knowing the Physics C teacher and wanting to avoid the heavy homework/project load. I’m not sure it’s worth the time investment, but am open to other viewpoints.
Yeah that’s a good point, I think in terms of concepts I could manage it, but the Physics C teacher at my school is notoriously hard with grading and projects. I’m wondering if it would be worth it to instead save time and opt to take an easier class with the same credit weight.
I hadn’t considered that perspective, thanks for bringing it up. I guess it’s true that after finishing Calculus AB, I may be able to understand the physics concepts taught in C better. Thanks for your comment
I was just about to ask if you were planning on CS through engineering. If so, I agree that you should do AP chem over bio. You also may want to rethink skipping AP Physics C if you are doing a COE track. I’ve posted this a million times but Physics C was the most relevant and helpful class for my daughter. Those students that didn’t have it really struggled with engineering physics (required for all engineering majors at dd’s school).
You could drop AP stats if you think the workload would be too much.
^yes, AP Stats really is un-necessary. Take it in college as a fun elective one semester, perhaps.
Look at your colleges of choice: is CS in the College of Arts&Sciences or in Engineering? If the former, Physics C is not necessary but if the latter, Physics C will be very useful as most COE require Physics from all majors.
My hesitation with AP Chem and Physics C is that they are notoriously the most difficult classes in the school. To pull an A in either of those courses, I would definitely have to put in 2 or 3 times as much effort as in a class like AP Seminar or AP Statistics. I’m wondering whether going for AP Bio and the rest of the schedule listed is going to reflect poorly on me, or whether it’s competitive enough to “tick the box” at most selective colleges. The details of whether CS is counted in COE or Arts & Science varies by college for some of the schools I’m interested it, but thanks for pointing that out. If I decide to apply early somewhere, I’ll be sure to look into how the college CS belongs to affects me.
Part of it too is that I’m concerned over classrank. I want to keep 5 or 6 AP classes for the sake of my weighted GPA. I know if I enroll in chem or physics I might run the risk of getting a B and falling behind. If I take stats and bio though, I’m fairly sure I can keep up with the rigor without putting in too much extra work. Would a college rather see someone maintain the position at the top of their class taking easier AP’s versus getting a few B’s in more challenging courses?
They’d rather see A’s in the more challenging courses.
Regardless, since they will only see you Fall grade for admissions decisions, the impact of a B (and you might get an A. Who knows?) on a 3.5 year GPA (and rank) will be miniscule.
But bottom line, I doubt that taking AP Bio vs. AP Chem vs. AP Physics C will keep you out of a college. I would, however, opt for one of those over APES, which is almost universally regarded as less rigorous than the other 3…
Thanks for your comment, I definitely resonate with what you’re saying in that 1 B out of 3.5 years of classes isn’t going to make a huge difference. Do you see AP Statistics + AP Biology as being equivalent or at least comparable to taking AP Physics C without AP Statistics? I just think realistically given how much time I’m going have senior year, Physics C might be a recipe for disaster since I’m struggling in AP Physics 1/2 and have heard its a considerable step up in terms of difficulty.
Have you already taken Bio and Chem, Honors or regular classes? Colleges want to see all 3 lab sciences on your transcript. I understand your dilemma about taking APs to maintain your rank. AP seminar+APES+AP Stats is not as good as taking APChem/Phy and another non AP class.
Don’t take AP physics C but take AP Chem. if that’s really unpalatable, see if you can take chemistry through dual enrollment scheduled for Spring 2020.
From an admissions perspective, it probably won’t matter, if either schedule warrants a "most demanding"checkmark from your GC; so clarify that point with him/her.
From a usefulness foryou perspective, AP Stats and AP Bio just don’t fit in. For a CS major, Calc-based stats, if any stats is required, would be needed, so you’re better off taking in college. I would not shy away from a course simply because it’s hard. If you think the AP version is hard, wait until you get to the college version.
I’m not saying you have to take Physics C. If the workload for physics is unmanageable (which I put at more than 75 minutes.night), then I would still opt for AP Chem over AP Bio. But i would not avoid physics simply because you “struggled” to get a 92 (an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one). Good luck.
Thank you for the advice, I hadn’t considered the option of dual enrollment. I don’t think Chemistry will mesh with my future career plans at all. I’m pretty interested in neuroscience though, and was thinking there might be some applications of learning biology in neural networks and artificial intelligence. Is there much of a difference in your eyes between taking AP Statistics complimented by AP Biology versus AP Chemistry solo?
