Hello guys new on CC rising sophomore so I wanted to ask for recommendations on how I can petition with my counselor to take AP Physics 1 next year. Background info: current classes are these, all are high As
ap human geography
biology pap/ib
algebra 2 pap/ib
spanish 2 pap/ib
geometry pap/ib
english 1 pap/ib
intramural tennis
principles health science
Here is my current finalized schedule for sophomore year: i’m taking credit by exam Spanish 3 in the summer
off period/study hall 1
AP world history
AP biology
AP Spanish 4
health science theory
Pre-calculus pap/IB
English 2 pap/IB
chemistry pap/IB
So I wanted to ask my counselor to replace AP biology with AP Physics 1, which is only offered to juniors and seniors at my school. The pre-reqs are algebra 2 and chemistry, and i will have taken alg 2 and will concurrently be taking chem in 10th grade. So how should I go about trying to convince my counselor? Any suggestions, tips, advice would help.
P.S. this is not a “rate my schedule” post.
Thanks for responding. The problem is , to take AP Physics C at my school you need to have done an introductory physics class first (physics, physics pap/ib or AP physics 1)
However thank you for the feedback and I will definitely consider it
Two things to consider - you said a prerequisite is chemistry. That typically means has already completed. it doesn’t mean taking at the same time so you haven’t met the prerequisites required by the school. That may not be negotiable. The second point is due to availability or whatever reason the school may just want juniors and seniors taking it and you are not a junior or a senior. This doesn’t mean you can’t try just that at some schools it would be a definite no based on either criteria. My kids high school would say absolutely not due to taking chemistry concurrently but they wouldn’t care about the grade, another school may be the opposite etc.
Thank you for replying! I understand what your saying with the prerequisites, but the same pre-reqs (save for Alg II) are there for AP Biology! Maybe you’re right that my school just wants upperclassmen to take it, however I will still try to petition though. Thanks for your feedback and I appreciate the quick response!
To me the prerequisite of Physics 1 before Physics C is overkill. They both cover the same exact material except that 1 is Algebra based and C is Calculus based. If I were you, I would petition for Physics C without the Physics 1 more than anything.
Actually, the prerequisites are not the same. Looking through your course catalog:
AP Biology: Grade: 10-12: Prerequisites: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry (Chemistry may be taken concurrently)
AP Physics 1: Grade: 11-12: Prerequisites: Chemistry Pre-AP/IB and Algebra II Pre-AP/IB (Algebra II may be taken concurrently)
So you fail to meet the academic prerequisite and you fail to meet the grade level necessary. Unless you are the top-rated freshman with a truly compelling academic reason (one that is more than “I like physics better”), I’d suggest just following the schools recommended progression for you. AP Physics 1 will still be there for you to take as a junior.
You best bet, which may not work, is to present your counselor with a 4 year plan showing that you “need” to take AP Physics 1 as a sophomore, or else you will unable to take XX class during your HS career.
A couple of things to keep in mind, though. My HS four year plan changed each and every year due to courses being added/dropped, teachers retiring/dying, the simply because the course I wanted conflicted with another course I wanted. Additionally, if a course is offered above your grade level and you get approved anyway, and the class is full, the school will not bounce a qualified upper-class student to make room for you. Good luck.
