I’m about to enter my junior year of high school. My school does not offer AP classes- only IB classes. I’m beginning the IB diploma program in the fall. Unfortunately, due to some scheduling issues I was never able to take physics in the past two years. I plan on doing a pre-med track in college and majoring in biochemistry, microbiology, or something similar. Currently, I’m set to take IB Chemistry HL, IB Biology HL, and IB Math SL (plus other IB classes). I wanted to take HL science courses and my school doesn’t offer Physics HL, only SL.
I’m not entirely familiar with the college application process. Some people seem to say that I will have trouble getting into a highly ranked university as an intended science major, despite being a very good student. Others say that the fact that I didn’t take physics won’t matter, especially since I am currently taking on the of the hardest course loads available to me.
I am trying to weigh my options. Should I finish high school without taking a physics course, and apply to universities as an intended science major? Should I try to switch out of one of my other science classes and into a Physics SL course? Should I take an online Physics course this school year? Should I take an online Physics course over the summer? And if I should take one online, can anyone recommend an online institution that offers physics classes for high school credit?
I would appreciate any input. Sorry this post is long.
If it helps, some of the schools I plan on applying to are the University of Michigan, UPenn, Northeastern, Northwestern, NYU, and Georgetown, among others.
For a good pre-med base you’ll likely have to retake all of the major sciences anyways. So long as you are taking a challenging courseload it will not be a major factor in admissions at any school. I don’t see a need to take an online course. The only case where it may seem a bit odd is if you were applying as a physics major. Given that it doesn’t seem like you can get all three sciences without stretching yourself beyond an already challenging load, taking the two that you are likely to major related to seems like the right choice.
I was a physics major and I think college physics would be a lot more challenging if you haven’t taken it in high school. But, who knows, you might be the exception.
You’re taking 5 HL’s?!
I don’t think not taking physics would hurt you much considering the rest of your schedule, but you might want to drop Psych HL and take Physics SL so that your schedule is easier and you get to take physics before college where you might struggle seeing the material for the first time.
Thanks for the advice, I will consider it. I’m required to take one social science and no more than two sciences, so I’d have to drop chemistry or biology to do so.
I’m taking five HLs mostly due to scheduling conflicts. When it comes time to take IB exams, I’m probably going to be taking an SL english exam. Classes have begun and are going okay so far, but if they turn awry in the next few weeks I may consider finding some way to drop an HL class.
In the mean time i’ll be looking for online summer physics courses just to consider, so that I can possibly get in some experience before university. Does anyone know of any?
IBD students are treated differently in admissions since college adcoms know they cannot take all three sciences. Doing two sciences HL is the best you can do and they know it’s super rigorous, so don’t worry about it.
Even for schools that “require” HS’s courses, exceptions are made. For example, a student going to a UK school cannot meet “requirements” based upon the curriculum at their school. Similarly, as @MYOS1634 correctly states, no college will ding a student following the IB Diploma program. The OP’s program is fine.
D started as a IBD student junior year with a similar schedule (only 4 HLs though). She was able to work an honors physics class in senior year after completing TOK and SL French.
You shoudl have 3 or possibly 4 HLs for IB diploma.
I personally would see if you could take some kind of physics course (even if not for credit) so that you are not seeing physics for the first time in college