So, I wanted to aim for a top school to get a biomedical engineering degree or Computer Science. Mainly focused on computer science applications for medical advancements. But, I was reading that many colleges want a year of physics and 4 years of math and English.
To add, I’ve taken honors bio and chem. AP Bio and Chem and Microbiology. Also, I have taken AP Comp Sci and Computer Science Principles.
I have taken Algebra I and II, Geometry, Precalc, AP Calc AB and BC.
I have taken, English I and II. And two comp classes at my local community college (Dual-Enrollment).
I have already taken AP Seminar and currently taking AP Research.
There are other classes I have taken…
Right now, its kind of late and I only have 2 classes to pick and it can either be Physics I with Calc, Calc III or an English class. All will be taken at my local community college. I’m not sure which two to pick.
I’d vote for physics. It seems highly likely that you’ll need to take it in college and it’s probably not the best subject to encounter the first time in college. And I think it would make your high school coursework more attractive on an application. While it’s great that you’ve pursued subjects that most high school students don’t, it’s not great that you’ve done it at the expense of a foundation you’ll likely need.
You are looking at things that may require physics in college. You really don’t want your first class to be in college. Also, it sounds like you wouldn’t have an English class your senior year if you don’t take one. If that is true, then I would say English.
I would recommend Physics and Calc III, since you’re interested in engineering, and you have the equivalent of 4 years of english already (a 1 semester college course is equivalent to a 1 year high school course).
I would take physics as one of the two classes. Many top tier colleges like to see applicants complete a bio, chem, and physics class during their HS years.
MIT, Yale, Stanford, Duke, UPenn, Princeton? And engineering? Physics. It’s about the admit potential. Make sure you’ve met all the course recommendations. And that you really know what these schools look for. Everything, not just course distribution.
Agree that physics should be one of your courses, since you would otherwise not have any physics in high school. Having physics in high school will be better than having your first exposure to physics be in college as an engineering major.
At those targets, it’s about the right prep for a possible admit. Less about whether Johnny finds it tougher to have the first exposure as a freshman. First, you have to get accepted.
There will always be anecdotes. But you don’t want an MIT or other tippy top adcom thinking, Yeah, wants engineering or CS but never took physics. You want them to see you have the academic experience (and chops.) As it is, a lot of wannabes don’t know enough about what engineers do.
But between math and English which is my best bet. For Math I would be taking Calc 3. For English I have no more composition classes so I would be taking Literature or some form of creative writing.
Regardless of whether an engineering major attends a super selective or much less selective college, it is better to have physics while in high school than not.
Definitely physics.
For your last choice, did you take a math or English class this year at all?
Since you’re taking AP Seminar/Research, you’d be good for English so math may make the most sense - however, do you have a social science this year?
This year so far I’m taking AP Research, AP Studio Art, Microbiology, Philosophy, and Microeconomics.
I will be taking Physics, Mythology and International Politics.
These classes are required by the college to receive my AA.
So I think I have “English” covered. My best move would be taking a math class correct?
AP Physics is a MUST! I think taking Calc III is a good choice as it can be quite tough to jump back into math after you’ve had a considerable amount of time off (at least that is my experience).