<p>I'm currently a junior in high school and I'm having trouble deciding a science class for next year. I've been told that some universities require a year of physics, but after doing some research I can't find any specific universities that do. Some recommend it, but I'm not sure if this is actually a recommendation or a "recommendation" (basically required).</p>
<p>So far, I've taken:
- Honors Chemistry-Physics Foundation (1 semester of each)
- Honors Biology 1-2
- Honors Chemistry 1-2
- AP Chemistry</p>
<p>Next year, I will be taking either Honors Physics 1-2 or Honors Biotechnology 3-4. I really want to take biotech as I'm considering going into biomedical engineering and this would be a good way to get a taste of what this is like (our school also has an expensive cutting-edge lab). However, I don't want to take that class and then be at a disadvantage because I didn't take a full year of physics.</p>
<p>Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>1 year of Physics as well as Chem, and Biology are required for admission in Engineering schools such as Cornell, CMU and the University of Pittsburgh. So if you are aiming to go to these universities I would suggest making sure you have 1 year of units for these subjects. </p>
<p>You generally do want to have high school physics, as it is often a recommended prerequisite for college physics, which is an important course for any kind of engineering.</p>
<p>I think it is better to focus on foundational classes before electives. So I think the Physics is a better choice. It would have been better than 2 chem classes. It may not make or break you if you take the biochem, but most very selective schools are going to want to see one of each of the 3 core sciences. It could be overlooked, except where required, if it is something you really wanted and explained a passion in that field. Why don’t you talk it over with your GC.</p>
<p>I wasn’t able to take physics due to scheduling conflicts (which I forgot to mention in my applications - small school allows very little room in scheduling), and I have so far been accepted to the Universities of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois as a molecular biology major. I had taken honors bio, chem, and environmental science, as well as AP Bio, AP Chem. I’d suggest taking the physics simply because I know that I’ll be at a disadvantage as a science major that has never had any physics next year when I go to college. As an engineer, you’re going to need a lot of physics.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick responses everyone – I will probably end up scheduling physics in and removing biotech. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Can you take both?</p>
<p>@MYOS1634:
Unfortunately not. I need to take my second fine art credit so I lose an elective slot (my other elective is AP Computer Science, something which I’m also very interested in). The rest of my schedule is core classes (AP Calc, English, AP Gov).</p>
<p>Can you take Fine Art over the summer?</p>
<p>@MYOS1634:
Nope – there aren’t any fine arts offered over the summer. I looked into doing a different class during the summer but honors/AP courses aren’t offered either. Honors/AP zero hour courses <em>are</em> offered during the year; however I already have difficulty getting up and I don’t think trying to wake up an hour earlier each day is going to work out well for me.</p>
<p>Although I’m not sure about the viability of this option, does everything think that taking the SAT II Physics test would be an adequate substitute for a physics class in the eyes of selective universities? I doubt that self-studying for this is an easy task but I’d like to get all my options out on the table.</p>
<p>Take physics. Why give them a reason to pick someone else over you? Biotechnology is not required, so take the course that is required.</p>
<p>No, self studying for SAT2Physics will not replace the course. How about Physics1 at a local community college over the summer?</p>
<p>Physics is now included in my class schedule and is being submitted. Thanks to everyone for their advice!</p>