Hey I’m currently a sophomore in high school and we’re preparing our schedules for next year and I’m contemplating not taking physics. At my school it isn’t mandatory, all I need to do is complete 4 science credits including Bio and Chem (both of which will be completed by the end of the year).
I was thinking of taking AP Environmental Science next year to increase the number of AP’s I will have completed by the end of junior year (and I’ve heard it’s relatively easy). And as I senior I would maybe take geosystems (not an AP, but something I’m somewhat interested in).
Also, all of the physics teachers at my school have bad reputations as teachers and I don’t want to risk getting a poor grade and bringing down my gpa.
I am not really interested in science and will most definitely not major in a science related field in college, but is it weird if I don’t take physics in high school? Traditionally high schoolers complete at least Bio, Chem, and Physics in high school, right? Will colleges think less of me if I don’t take physics?
For reference I’m interested in Northwestern primarily, but also Boston College, Tufts, and Cornell. Thanks for your input and good luck to those applying to colleges right now!
I was in a similar situation except with chemistry, I wanted to take AP physics but wouldn’t have been able to take chemistry before I graduated. I currently take 2 science senior year. To answer your question, though, I don’t think it will be a big deal to not take physics because you don’t want to major in a science during college. It would be different if you applied as an intended bio major and you hadn’t taken the bio, chem, physics combination. I would also recommend checking the websites of colleges you’re interested in they typically will specify if they require all three, while some colleges could care less which sciences you take. I would talk to your high school counselor and get her input, I’ve heard multiple perspectives on the issue but I don’t think it really matters as long as you’re taking a science.
Thanks so much for your answer! I think I will go talk to my counselor about it today
It’s certainly not a hard and fast rule, but top colleges do like to see Physics and Calculus on the transcript. If you are serious about NW and Cornell, you may want to consider it. Physics likely is viewed as more rigorous than AP Enviro.
Talk to your counselor.
The only thing to consider is that physics is simply a good basice science to have. It pretty much explains how everything works! If you don’t learn it now, when will you?
At some point, you need to think about your education as that, not as an extended admissions test for college.
There is value in being strategic, so if you are worried about not doing well, perhaps you could wait until senior year when colleges will at best see only through mid year. And if you take AP Environmental junior year, take the exam and do well; it will be good evidence that you can do some science!