<p>Ok, so I get this phone call from my guidance counselor.</p>
<p>"AP/IB physics will not fit into your schedule at all, because it would require you dropping the full diploma, which is not happening. Regular physics fits, but the lab does not. There are kids self studying classes and taking labs, so I dont see why you couldn't do the opposite, and self study the lab." She said she is going to stress the fact that I need physics to apply to most engineering schools, and of course MIT.</p>
<p>So, she put regular Physics in my schedule. However, if I am not allowed to self study the lab, I can not take the course.</p>
<p>If there is a major conflict in taking Physics at a local college, I will not be able to take the course at all.</p>
<p>You can certainly explain this circumstance to MIT if you’re not able to self-study the lab. </p>
<p>You could also look into taking an online course, such as EPGY, or just self-studying without a formal curriculum. You can absolutely mention this in your application.</p>
<p>You can get into MIT without high school physics – I did. But I don’t recommend that route, if at all avoidable, because getting through MIT physics is pretty difficult if you’re seeing the material for the very first time.</p>
<p>(And re: your visitor message, of course you can PM me. I just can’t guarantee that a) I can be useful, or b) that I can respond in a reasonable amount of time. :))</p>
<p>I really am considering an online course- I just have no idea where to look… what is EPGY?</p>
<p>For the self studying bit, I could self study Physics through Open Courseware, and then take the AP exam, or challenge my states regents possibly?</p>
<p>epgy stands for education program for gifted youth. It’s run by stanford. The website is epgy.stanford.edu They have a few physics courses. You have to apply, and once admitted, the course materials are sent by mail. You can usually begin courses on the first of any month. applications must be sent at least one month prior to when you want to start. I think it’s expensive though, maybe $900… </p>
<p>You could also check out mit’s open course offerings - you won’t be able to take it for credit, but if you go through the course on your own, you will have some knowledge of the material and can include it in your resume. It will show you did all you could to learn the material even though you school was less than accommodating.</p>
<p>I really hope I can take it in school, I do not think I could afford a $900 online course. The MIT Open Coureware is looking like one of my best options as a contingency plan, unless during Spring semester a local CC offers a Physics course online, or has one that fits into my existing schedule.</p>
<p>I mean, I dont think I would be expected to drop some of my ECs to take a course would I?</p>
<p>Regardless of your ultimate decision, study Physics via the OCW (Open Courseware) courses. My son taught himself Physics in high school because the teacher was terrible; he watched Dr. Walter Lewin’s lectures and they were inspiring enough that he’s a Physics major now.</p>
<p>@mom22girls- depending on what happens, the conflicting EC is youth orchestra. ( and after paying the close to 1k tuition, I highly doubt my mom would let me do that… especially because I would be giving up an opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall) I am in the process on contacting a local CC about their online lecture/in-class lab course for Physics, which does not conflict with anything at the moment (this is all assuming that Fall semester and spring semester, class times do not change drastically). </p>
<p>@ Everone: Right now, I am trying to evaluate all of my options in the event my school can not accommodate Physics with a self studied Lab. My GC said she is stressing that I need this for college, as I would like to do engineering… Im really praying for the best.</p>
<p>good news- my GC pulled some strings. I am in regular physics, but with the IB lab. at my school, the only difference between IB physics and regular is thermodynamics…</p>
The course sounds amazingly fun.</p>