physics in high school required?

<p>Because of the way my schedule worked out I won't be able to take physics in high school at all (I'm a senior). Will that look bad on an MIT app? Will I need to take it at a community college or something before admittance?</p>

<p>MIT recommends one year of high school physics. I think you would be facing an uphill battle if you applied without it. I would definitely take the community college class.</p>

<p><a href="http://admissions.mit.edu/AdmissionsWeb/appmanager/AdmissionsWeb/Main;jsessionid=GvWQCjmQvMcTDyBrbqHvr16J60FZ04RGlsGv9nggsNQJ7JF8cMvP!104247805!-122610620?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pagePreparingForMIT#hsprep%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://admissions.mit.edu/AdmissionsWeb/appmanager/AdmissionsWeb/Main;jsessionid=GvWQCjmQvMcTDyBrbqHvr16J60FZ04RGlsGv9nggsNQJ7JF8cMvP!104247805!-122610620?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pagePreparingForMIT#hsprep&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>It's not so much that you should take physics to look good on your application, but take it from me, it's hard to get through the first year at MIT if you've never taken physics before. Two semesters of physics (mechanics and E&M) are required as part of MIT's General Institute Requirements, and students who come in with no experience with the concepts are pretty significantly behind.</p>

<p>You might try taking a physics course through your local community college, investigating distance learning options (EPGY, Harvard Extension School, Northwestern's LetterLinks, and others), or just self-studying the material. You're not required to take a physics course before coming to MIT, but I'd strongly advise it.</p>

<p>Thanks for your advice. Should I include some note on my app explaining that I couldn't take physics but will take it a community college during the summer after senior year?</p>

<p>hmm, i seem to be stuck in the same boat. I'm really hoping not taking physics would not cause the admissions committee to view me in a bad light. Sure, I may be behind on some of the material, but I tend to be a quick learner.</p>

<p>and as for ron5030s other question, im interested in what one should do too</p>

<p>I don't understand why you weren't able to plan ahead so you could take the physics course. If there was a bona fide scheduling problem that kept you from taking physics throughout your high school career then I guess you could write a note to the adcom. If, however, you tried to dodge physics the first three years and come senior year your counselor couldn't make it work, MIT would probably view that negatively.</p>

<p><rebuttal> In defense, some schools don't even offer physics until junior or senior year (as in mine)....and considering I had a full schedule last year and couldn't fit it into my schedule this year, it's not necessarily my fault. Also, keep in mind that MIT only recommends physics, not requires it. If anything, I think replacing an already difficult and challenging schedule with one that includes physics, but easier classes, would cause the adcom to be concerned </rebuttal></p>

<p>and on a related note, mollie b never took physics in high school, and look, she graduated from MIT like no one's business!</p>

<p>There are always special cases. Also noday, from what I hear, everyone at MIT is a fast learner. That's why they're going to MIT, which is known (at least y asian parents) to be the toughest college around, along with Caltech, because of all the advanced math and physics. But if you think you can wing it, then go ahead. There are some people that can do that. I mean look at John Nash, got his PhD without ever going to class.</p>

<p>haha, this is true. I'm just saying that it IS possible to go to MIT with minimal knowledge of physics and still succeed. Sure, it's going to be difficult, but hey, you're at MIT, what were you expecting? Besides, you're taking courses to learn physics at MIT anyways...granted, it's not anything remotely resembling high school physics, but still, it's physics....isn't it? (ya.....just to let everyone know, I'm not the biggest fan of physics....if that wasn't obvious)</p>

<p>Be warned, I'm not an expert at MIT admissions or anything but from pure logic, I believe that you should be ok not having physics before entering college. I think that the adcoms will admit you if they feel like you're the best fit and that you'll be able to survive the MIT courseload regardless if you have already taken physics or not. They're experts at these kinda things. Not having physics won't make or break your chance of admission. and yes, physics is reccommended but not required. I personally know a couple people that have made it to MIT without high school physics.</p>

<p>i'm currently enrolling in the IB program. would taking physics standard level affect my chance of admitting into MIT in anyway? or should i take physics higher level but get a lower mark instead?</p>

<p>I would say take the more challenging class. If anything, MIT looks to make sure you're taking the most challenging workload offered to you.</p>

<p>Yeah definitely take the higher level class. MIT wants people that take risks.</p>

<p>but my mark would be extremely low in that class. in the standard level class my percentage would be at least 5-10% higher.</p>

<p>Don't take this the wrong way, but if you don't think you can get top grades in the most advanced classes your school offers, then maybe MIT isn't for you.</p>