I am very interested in Ivy League Admissons and definitely plan on taking 3 years of Science. However, I do not want to take Physics. Science is not my interest area. Do Ivy League schools require this specific course or is any 3rd year science (after Honors Biology and Chem) acceptable?
Thanks for any advice.
<p>Personally, I think it's necessary. But then again, my school follows the following for science courses...
regular track: bio-->earth science-->chem-->physics
honors track: adv. bio--> adv. chem--> AP Physics --> AP Bio or AP Chem</p>
<p>So, as I hate science and I'm on the "regular" track, I don't even think Physics is truly enough...</p>
<p>Many colleges draw a line between science and lab science, so you might want to consider that before choosing a different science that doesn't have a lab.</p>
<p>in fields that are math or science related, such as engineering, many schools require physics. however, if you plan on majoring in spanish for example, they probably won't be looking for physics experience.</p>
<p>I doubt that it is very important if science is not your interest area. You want to be strong or at least above average in every area, but you want to find one area to TRULY excel in. </p>
<p>It is better to truly excel in one area than to be "pretty good" in many.</p>
<p>Usually doesn't matter unless you're going into engineering. </p>
<p>JHU, HMC, and Duke told me to take Physics before arriving on campus. OTOH, Penn (where I matriculated) didn't care, and i ended up taking physics I my first semester.</p>
<p>Don't discount physics as not being for non-science people, though. One of my friends is an <em>incredibly</em> gifted artist and really into history and writing, but hates science; physics was the most bearable for her (she hated bio). So just look into what you've got at your school -- physics might be better than the alternatives for you.</p>
<p>Ok, this is sort of like thread-jacking, but it is related question. </p>
<p>Would it be better to take </p>
<p>bio, then chem, then physics, then either AP Bio or AP Chem.</p>
<p>or </p>
<p>bio, then chem, then AP Bio, then AP Chem.</p>
<p>for a person who is into science and would possibly want to major in bio.</p>
<p>I'm biased, but I'd say to take physics :) If you like science, you might really end up loving physics... plus, the sciences are getting more interdisciplinary by the day, so knowing all of them is more and more helpful. Of course, AP classes are good too, and if you're sure you want to do bio, chem is obviously more closely related to bio than physics is.</p>
<p>But here's the thing -- if you're planning out 4 years worth of a schedule, you're probably <em>not</em> sure you want to major in bio... you wanna explore all of your options so you can start thinking about what you want to do as early as possible (if you like bio, maybe a researcher or a doctor? if you like physics, researcher, engineer?) -- and for your own enrichment/enjoyment...</p>
<p>I believe you should first check with the different colleges and see what they require...</p>
<p>I know for the major I am looking into, Physics is a required class I take... so like it or not, I will definately go for physics.</p>
<p>But, if there are no requirements for which science, then I would say do whatever science you like best. Bio, Chem, and Physics are entirely different types of classes, not just by content but by method of learning as well. Biology, to me, seems to be mostly memory based. Yes there is a decent amount of math involved, but not nearly as much as chem and physics. Chemistry, well I am a bit biased against Chem, but I consider Chem to be a memory-math based class. There are many different properties to remember, hell you even have to memorize the periodic table (if you are as infortunate as I am, which you probably will be ;) ). And then there is Physics, my favorite (^_^). Physics is basically pure math (with of course the usual memorization of different properties and such). If you took Chem and Bio already, ask yourself if you liked the class. If you did, great, choose one and go on. If you didn't try out Physics. If you take Physics, Bio, and Chem, decided you detest all three, perhaps try for AP Enviromental Science, which is a culmulation of the three classes.</p>
<p>Actually most of the Ivies explicitly state that they want to see three years or more of science which includes Bio, Chem, and Physics. So take it. I wouldn't risk it and give them ANY reason to doubt your application. But if physics were replaced with an equally hard AP course, I doubt they'd hold it against you. How do the rest of your courses measure up?</p>
<p>take AP Enviremtal Science instead</p>
<p>AP Environmental Science is hardly a better choice than physics. Bio, chem, phys--that's usually the standard for all students and those are the three key sciences. If you decide not to take physics, take AP Bio or AP Chem.</p>
<p>AP Env Science doesn't get much respect as an AP course. I agree with Hecatonchires.</p>
<p>AP Physics comes in two flavors. AP Physics B which is a good survey course for everybody, and AP Physics C which covers only Classical Mechanics and Electricity&Magnetism but at a greater depth. The C course is intended for physics/engineering majors. </p>
<p>What is taught at your hs depends on the hs. Often, only the first half of the C course, Classical Mechanics, is taught. If you aren't interested in physics, you really want to stay away from the C course. </p>
<p>Bio, Chem and Physics would be better, but I can't see where Bio, Chem, AP Bio, AP Chem is going to hurt you too much. </p>
<p>Once you get to college, Bio majors have to take Physics, but it is not the same course as for engineering majors.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>physics is very important. Many schools require all science majors to take physics.</p>
<p>In terms of high school, it's always good to get at least a grounding in all academic areas.</p>