<p>I am a junior and the only science class I can take at my school is regular Physics. I asked for AP Chem and there is one teacher at the school that can teach it, but this teacher is not that great...if i had her, I probably wouldn't pass my AP exam. Should I stay in regular Physics or do AP Chem with a bad teacher? I would take chem at a JC, but I think it's too late to sign up.</p>
<p>Which class do you think you would enjoy more?</p>
<p>I mean, “AP” may look better on a transcript, but that’s all it is. If you are challenging yourself with the classes you are taking, it will come through. Also, you will eventually need recommendations from teachers (and it would be good to have one from a science/math teacher). Maybe this physics teacher could do that for you while your chemistry teacher couldn’t?</p>
<p>If you do take the Chem teacher, do not depend on her to adequately prep you for the exam. Get a good prep book or two and study on your own.</p>
<p>Without knowing your previous lab science courses, and what will be available for you to take senior year it’s difficult to answer your question. Perhaps you can provide this information.</p>
<p>The guidelines (for selective colleges) is to take at least 3 years and ideally 4 years of of lab science courses. Physics should be one of those courses. It’s a foundation course for science and skipping it in high school could very well create a gap for you in college. The other lab science courses are biology and chemistry. A second year of any one of the lab science courses (possibly at an AP level) is a recommended approach.</p>
<p>Fog is spot-on. It highly depends on what you’ve taken and what else is available. I wouldn’t skip a class because of teacher reputation. You’re going to have to learn to navigate all kinds of instructors. If they are not physically or verbally abusive, then I’d advise my student to take the class if it’s the best one for them. My kids have found that they get along differently with some teachers than their peers. Sometimes a teaching style works better for one. You don’t have to like them, you need to learn. If you are not, then supplement. Being resourceful will be a valuable skill in college.</p>
<p>I agree with fog</p>
<p>But I’m a parent of an age that science cannot be learned without a foundation Physics class – I do not understand why so many high school students are skipping it these days.</p>
<p>I vote to stay with Physics and take a jc or AP science next year.</p>