<p>I'm a high school student, but I was looking for some parent opinions on the issue of whether or not to take physics in high school. (I cross-posted this in the HSL forum.) My parents think it's a good idea, but I'm not sure yet. </p>
<p>The way I'm on track with my course selections, I won't have taken any physics in high school (not even an honors level class, much less AP). Is this acceptable if I'm planning to apply to selective colleges? My plan is to have taken three credits of science -- Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, and IB Environmental Science. My decision not to take physics will have been entirely voluntary and not due to a scheduling conflict. </p>
<p>I'll be receiving an IB Diploma (hopefully) and I'm doubling up on foreign language -- math and science just aren't my thing. I'll have taken AP Calc BC and IB Math HL before graduation, though. </p>
<p>Will skipping physics be a serious problem when it comes to applications? Do any of you have kids who didn't take it in high school or any experience with this? </p>
<p>I made two of my kids take it because they are both interested in science careers-- but I know a lot of kids in our high school didn’t take it and still got into top schools. By the way, if you know to what colleges you may apply, you may want to call and ask them. I did find that different schools have different opinions about these things.</p>
<p>If you are talking about selective schools, then yes, I believe it is a problem. Selective schools look for the “big 3” in science: bio, chem & physics. If you don’t take the standard courses, there should be something special in your application that makes up for it.</p>
<p>There is no one “right path.” My son has had a similar path but flip-flopped the math and science. He has taken intro to physics and now honors physics (no AP Physics in his school) but did not take Calc substituting Statistics his senior year. Physics is tough…really tough…for kids that want to take it. He also doubled up on language and his AP classes are not in math or science. I don’t know any school system where kids don’t have to pick one thing over another thing along the way. Most kids will “do better grade-wise” in classes they want to take.</p>
<p>Normally, yes take physics. Especially if you want to apply to a very selective school and/or want to major in science or engineering.
3 of my 4 had physics in high school. One had two years of physics but she is an engineering major. My youngest really wanted to take Anatomy and physiology her junior year and microbiology her senior year so she didn’t take physics. She is taking Calculus based physics now and doing fine.
Generally I think there is no reason why a high school student can’t take 4 years of science in high school. If you don’t plan on majoring in science and won’t ever take physics in college, I think its important to take it in high school and should be a part of everyone’s education.</p>
<p>I don’t think there is any course that causes as much trouble as physics. If you’re hesitant about taking it, I wouldn’t bother. Even the smartest students, if they don’t have the knack for it, often do poorly in physics. </p>
<p>The science courses you’ve taken so far should be enough. Also taking physics, and doing well, would be a bonus of course. But it sounds like you aren’t expecting that to be the case. So I would just forget about it.</p>
<p>I agree with Chedva. If you want to get into the most selective schools, they prefer to see the full sequence: bio, chem, and physics. Preferably at the honors/AP level.</p>
<p>We were specifically told at several Ivy info sessions that students should take physics.</p>
<p>I also agree with Justamom that it is an important subject that should be part of everyone’s education.</p>
<p>Physics is the systematic description of the world around you. There are examples on all channels, including fox, of people who were not good physics students.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you are a pretty smart fellow, skipping physics calls it into question.</p>
<p>D considered taking AP Chem senior year instead of Physics (she had already taken Honors Earth Sci, Bio & Chem). We called the colleges she was interested in (all very selective schools) and they all recommended that she take Physics. BTW she is an English major.</p>
Wow - it might be hard for you so don’t take it? God forbid a student should actually take a class that would make him think. <em>Smart</em> students who do poorly in physics do so because they are weak in math or not putting effort into the class.</p>
<p>At my daughter’s high school, physics is offered to some of the freshmen! She thought that was a crazy idea and took it as a senior instead. I agree that top colleges want to see bio, chem and physics on your transcript.</p>
<p>This year (as soph) I’ll have finished an honors level of the “big three”. I keep wishing I had taken Physics->Chemistry->Biology. The only object I have is that I am concurrently taking Calculus (something that would not be possible in eighth grade), so while I’m not in a calculus based class, it helps me understand what went on underneath. </p>
<p>Biology is an extremely complex science. At the advanced level (AP) all are difficult, but at the regular and honor level (introductory, at different paces of course) biology is far more difficult.</p>
<p>I think I understand that you have already scheduled your classes and CAN’T take physics now? Or are you a junior with the possibility of still scheduling it in?</p>
<p>If the first, then just apply to the schools and don’t worry about it. Environmental science is taken seriously today, so it isn’t like it once was. </p>
<p>If you still CAN schedule a physics? I’d do it. Just to be sure. Just because there is a strong trend towards moving physics into the first position in the sciences, ie as the first science class kids take, now, physics-chem-bio is a very usual class schedule now.</p>
<p>Either way, though, I’m sure it will be fine.</p>
<p>In our school Intro to Physics is a freshman class. Some kids are lopsided and I guess I’m in the minority here, but I tell the kids to play to their strengths, but my kids aren’t going for the brass ring schools. Ultimately it’s up to the OP what step is post high school. My S2 is quite horrible at math, not CC horrible - more real world horrible - but he likes physics and does well at it. It is also a difficult class (not Intro but the upper level physics class.) All kids are not created equal.</p>
<p>Check the websites of some of the schools you’re interested in, some will tell you outright whether they want physics. I agree with Chedva, selective schools look for 3 lab sciences classes, typically bio, chem and physics. Obviously if you’re planning on pursuing a career in the sciences, engineering or architecture, physics will be considered mandatory.</p>
<p>Despite the fact that my husband is a physicist, neither of my children took physics in high school. The teacher was one of the worst in the school, and neither child intended to pursue a field that would require physics. My son sat in on most of a college course my husband taught, but this experience was not included in his applications. Both kids were accepted by several highly selective schools; I don’t think their acceptances or rejections had anything to do with the lack of physics on their transcripts.</p>
<p>That being said, if you have any thoughts about pursuing scientific or mathematical studies in college, physics in high school would be <em>very</em> desirable. I would also put in a plug for studying physics as providing a great opportunity for honing analytical thinking in a way that is extremely valuable to non-scientists when well-taught. When poorly taught and not necessary as a prerequisite for future courses, though, I think a student is well-advised to take another science course that might be of greater interest to fulfill the science requirement in high school.</p>
<p>momofthreeboys -
A lot of high schools are changing their science curriculums and teaching physics first. Knowing physics helps in understanding chemistry and biology.</p>
<p>yes, it is a curriculum change that was actually recommended by some nobel winners, and it REALLY helps with math, as well. It make the math practical, which has done wonders for my un-theoretical, practical minded, common-sense kid. OH, so this is what you do with the math. Lightbulb!</p>