Let me start by saying I have no interest in majoring in a science, math, or any sort of engineering. Although I’m still very unsure of my major in college, it will be something in the humanities, psychology, or education. I’ve taken Bio & Chem at the regular level so far. My school doesn’t allow anyone to take the AP level of those until completion of one year regular. Originally, I planned on taking APES junior year because I’m interested in it, and no sciences senior year because unless I take advancement summer school (I’d rather not), there’s no room in my schedule. I know physics is a core science, and I can take AP Physics at my school without having taken regular first — but due to my hatred of math and lack of experience/knowledge in physics, I find it unwise to jump straight into the AP level. But I’ve read on college confidential forums that Physics is very important for competitive schools, and a must see on transcripts. I want to go to UCLA. I assumed APES was better than regular physics because it will boost my GPA and it has the AP rigor - but is regular physics actually more valued to UCs? Which would you all suggest I take (APES vs REGULAR physics – please don’t say both because it doesn’t work with my schedule) and why?
Most competitive schools expect to see the three sciences, bio chem and physics.
@yonceonhismouth Would that mean UCLA would prefer to see regular physics over an APES course, even though APES is an AP? (I understand doing both is ideal but since that doesn’t work out with my scheduling, I have to choose one)
yes, IMO.
I can’t speak for UCLA, but I can tell you how I view it. I see physics as a fundamental basis of a complete education and I see APES as a pretend AP. I’d advise a student to take regular physics over APES for the simple reason that they would then be, in my view, better prepared for higher education. Either way, good luck!
Same post as your other thread
Take one junior year and the other senior year. Need to have physics, but you can take that as a senior. Typically it is done in reverse - physics as a junior (with other brutal junior year classes) and APES as a senior, but it really doesn’t matter. If you think you can get a better grade in APES then maybe that is a good reason to take it as a junior, since that grade counts and sometimes senior year grades don’t depending on the school (like UCs). Regular physics is ok, particularly if you are not going to be a STEM major but you really should take it. Bio-chem-physics is just typical these days.
If you took APES as junior and didn’t want to take physics, what would you put in its place senior year? UCLA is competitive so keep that in mind, if you take an easier route, there are several thousand students that do not who are also applying. I wouldn’t skip physics if applying to UCLA regardless of the major.
You can skip physics according to the UCLA website:
https://www.admission.ucla.edu/prospect/Adm_fr/fracadrq.htm
(d): Laboratory Science
2 years required, 3 years recommended - fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics. Advanced laboratory science courses that have biology, chemistry, or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial new material may be used to fulfill this requirement. The last two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects may be used to fulfill this requirement.
Since you hate math, you will probably do better in APES, enjoy it more, and get more out of it. I’ll vote for APES.
Very few kids get in taking just the recommendations at UCLA, it is way too competitive with 100K applicants. Without it your app may not get beyond the first look. I would do as mentioned before, APES as junior and physics as senior when the grade won’t matter as much.
I appreciate your original question and would still like to hear more answers - perhaps general answers and not specific to UCLA. Our S19 has taken Bio H and Chem H and is considering passing on AP Physics and taking Earth Science H next year and APES senior year since he’s not going to be an engineering major and is very interested in the environment. All of his other classes are honors or AP level (will have 12 APs total by the end of senior year) and he’s a strong math student, taking BC Calc as a junior. It’s too early to know much for sure, but he’s leaning towards a competitive LAC (maybe Carleton? Kenyon?) and hasn’t done much narrowing down when it comes to major (could be Environmental Science but could easily be English or History at this point too).
Is not taking Physics some red flag even if every other class he’s taking is tippy top at his high school? He can’t fit Earth Science, APES, and Physics into the next two years with all of his other core classes and his AP Art classes which are also a priority for him.
@homerdog Kenyon recommends they take physics.
http://www.kenyon.edu/admissions-aid/how-to-apply/preparing-to-apply/
Thanks @sumuzu. I have to wonder about how important these specifics are from Kenyon. I’ll ask our guidance counselor. Our S19 substituted AP computer science for a history class this year but will pick up two more years of AP level history junior and senior year. Hard to believe that decisions like these could be deal breakers. Only so much space in these kids’ schedules!
To get into a competitive school such as UCLA you need to show rigior. Showing only the minimum requirement is simply not enough!
I think not taking physics is a red flag. My guess (and only a guess) is that if earth science is on the app rather than physics, they would assume the student didn’t think he/she could handle physics. In other words they are taking an easier way out.
To illustrate… initially, my daughter had AP Calc BC as a junior. For senior year, she signed up for AP Computer Science and AP Stats for math cause they fit in the schedule but had to sacrifice Multivariable Calculus to make them fit, which she was thrilled to do frankly. But it was really because she wanted to test the waters with AP CS to make sure of it as a major in college, which I thought was a stellar idea. That was until we met with two different ADs at engineering schools in spring of junior year that said in no uncertain terms that she had to take Multivariable to remain competitive. Otherwise it appears she is trying to take an easier math along with the idea that Calculus needs constant practice to be maintained. She was the first in line at the registrar on class change day. They notice these things.
@CADREAMIN the college board website classifies APES as a lab science, not earth. I would love to take physics senior year, or instead of APES to enhance my application. But I struggle with bringing myself to spend so much time in a class that doesn’t benefit me, a class I don’t want to be in, when APES is something I have an interest in.
@uclaparent9 with or without physics, I’ve completed 3 years of a lab science, more than the minimim requirement. I know APES is less rigorous than other AP sciences, but since it’s still recognized as an AP, surely colleges would recognize there must be some rigor in the course?
Cadre, is your D a STEM kid? OP has no interest in that. I do agree physics should be included for STEM.
In general, APES is not considered as rigorous. Nor AP Stats, as another example. APCS still varies by hs.
OP, I can’t speak exactly to the UC requirements, but if you do skip physics, I’d think AP calc would put you in a better position than stats. You have some idea of maybe what major?
@lookingforward I am definitely open to AP Calc - I just have to keep AP Stats as my backup in case I wind up suffering in pre-calc honors. As for my major – I plan to either double major with 1 minor, or one major & 2 minors. Still not entirely sure because I’m still exploring career options. But the 3 (major/minor combo) I go with is likely to be Education, English, & either Psychology or Political Science. Nothing STEM based whatsoever, that is a definite.
I’d like to add, @lookingforward – UC schools require 2 years of lab science & recommend 3. They recognize APES as a lab science. I know APES is less rigorous than AP Physics, AP Bio, AP Chem, but would you say it is also seen to be less rigorous than a typical REGULAR physics course?
But the a-g puts emphasis on bio, chem and physics. See the wording. You want to be as competitive as you can be. The competition for UCLA is mind boggling.
@uclafuture01 I was responding to another post re earth science. To net this out because I think you are waiting for what you want to hear…do you have to take physics? No. Would it make you more competitive for UCLA even in a non-STEM major? Yes.