So I’m a junior in high school and I have yet to take Chemistry or Physics. I took AP bio as a sophomore, and I was going to take AP Chem this year, but my workload turned out to be overwhelming as I was taking 4 other AP classes and I dropped the class. I’m going to be a senior next year, and I was going to take AP Chem, but as I’ve been college touring, I’ve noticed most engineering programs want you to take both Chem and physics.
My mom is suggesting I take a chemistry class over the summer, but I want to avoid that if I can. I was thinking I could get a tutor over the summer who can prep me for Chem so I can take AP Chem and physics next year. But I’m worried that that will be too much to handle again, as I’m taking 3 AP classes senior year without Chem. The alternative is that I take regular Chem and physics next year. Basically, I’m trying to take the most rigerous course work that won’t overwhelm me and will improve my chances of getting into the engineering programs/colleges. Any advice?
We have students at our high school who have taken AP Chem and regular Physics the same year. It is hard, but doable if you are a decent math student. Are honors courses or dual enrollment available in either? That would be another option. As you found, many colleges recommend both sciences, a few may not, but be prepared for others to have already taken both. What other AP classes are you taking senior year? If they don’t relate to engineering, you may want to drop one of those and pick up AP Chem and Physics if you don’t take one over the summer. Good luck!
^^ Yes this is very common at my school too. An AP science and a regular science the same year. I do it and it’s very doable. If you’re good at math, regular physics will be a piece of cake compared to AP Chem. Wouldn’t be hard to do both.
Physics and chemistry in college will be more difficult if you have not had high school physics and chemistry (do not necessarily have to be AP).
All engineering major degree programs will have physics. Some (e.g. chemical engineering) will have substantial chemistry, but many others will require a semester or year of general chemistry (though some may let you take additional physics or other science instead of chemistry).
@ucbalumnus I was thinking somewhere between Environmental engineering, aerospace engineering or computer science. I know computer science doesn’t require much of either, so it’s my fallback right now, but I’m really interested in the other two.
@a20171 Right now I'm taking AP Calc for math, so I'd say I'm a pretty decent math student. However, I am getting a low B at the moment. Hoping I can bring it up to a solid one before the end of the year.
I have enough room in my schedule to fit both AP Chem and physics so that won't be a problem. @jcmom716 I plan on taking AP Calc BC, AP lit and Lang, and AP economics/government which are 1 semester classes. I may take your advice and drop AP Lit and Lang, though, because I believe I have all my English credits. If not, I'll take an easier non-AP.
Again, thanks so much for the advice! This has been stressing me for quite some time. I’ll try and get a tutor over the summer so AP Chem is easier to handle.