<p>I have a PSAT of 218 and an ACT of 33. I am also first or second in my class with hundreds of hours of community service. I am NHS secretary, as well. I might apply to some of the colleges that are harder to get into; I'm just kind of looking around right now. The only science I would consider is biology (a lot of my volunteer work involves zoology, which I really love). So far I have taken Earth Science Honors (mandatory), Biology Honors (mandatory), and Chemistry Honors. (I am a junior this year.) My counselor has told me that if I am only looking at biology, I do not need to worry about taking physics and something like AP Bio would be better. Will not taking physics affect admission or anything else?</p>
<p>^Agree. Unless your intended major is heavy in physics then AP Bio would be fine. Or you could just list an intended major that’s not heavy in physics regardless because colleges know that most people change theirs.</p>
<p>As a note, I signed up for AP physics and got put into regular Envi Sci (couldn’t take any other science because of my schedule). I thought it would really hurt my chances of getting into my top choice schools but I got into a “harder to get into” college as you put it. Don’t worry, AP bio’s not going to hurt you.</p>
<p>Biology majors will have to take physics in college, but can take a less rigorous physics for biology majors course. College physics for physics, astronomy, geology, chemistry, and engineering majors often recommends that students have a high school physics background, but that is less likely to be needed for physics for biology majors.</p>
<p>My D and I were just discussing this … whether she should take Physics or not next year.</p>
<p>There seems to be some thought that colleges really like to see Physics on HS transcripts for some reason, even if one is not going to major in any science related area.</p>
<p>Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry IMHO were tough enough.
Let’s not overdo this thing.</p>
<p>You should look at the recommended and required high school courses of the 2 most selective schools that you might consider. Most of the posters above are absolutely correct that physics is not recommended or required if you don’t plan on majoring in engineering or physics, but there is at least one school on my son’s list that strongly recommends physics, and he is not looking at engineering.</p>
<p>I would say to take physics with AP Bio if you can [even if its just regular physics] because some colleges do like to see variety. But if you have to pick just one, I’d say pick AP Bio</p>