<p>I know this is more of a high school question, but I want the opinion of college students who have already graduated and stuff as well. OK, so I'm still trying to settle out my schedule for next year and I'm not really entirely sure about it. The classes that I signed up for are:</p>
<ul>
<li>IB Biology II (HL)</li>
<li>IB English II (HL)</li>
<li>IB History II (HL)</li>
<li>IB Math II (SL)</li>
<li>IB Spanish V (SL)</li>
<li>IB Theory of Knowledge</li>
<li>Physics</li>
</ul>
<p>I'm going to be a Senior next year and I'm a full IB Diploma Candidate. Anyways, the rumor that I've been hearing is that supposedly, if you don't take Physics in high school, Ivy-Leagues will not even consider you. Why in the world is that so? I really do not see why this class is an important requirement...even for pre-med. As you can see, with 6 IB classes, Physics is just going to make my schedule even more difficult and I don't want it to add to my stress next year. What I think would be a more interesting class for me to take is this class called Athletic Injuries. This is the description:</p>
<p>"This course, taught by the school's certified athletic trainer, place emphasis and recognition, prevention, and treatment of common sports through injuries. In addition, students learn anatomy and physiology of the human body, first aid, nutrition, and career opportunities..."</p>
<p>This sounds SO much more interesting to me, because I want to be a doctor. But I do want to apply to some Ivy's/top schools like Brown, Penn, Cornell, Duke, etc, but would not taking Physics hurt me? Or is this rumor not even true?</p>
<p>I didn’t take Physics in high school (though I did inform them that I was self-studying AP Physics C), so I don’t think you have to have taken a Physics class in high school.</p>
<p>Selective colleges prefer to see the big three sciences: bio, chem and physics. But they don’t all have to be AP/IB. Fuhgheddiabout a PE course dressed up as athletic trainers. Regardless of how rigorous it is, it won’t be seen as such by Ivy adcoms.</p>
<p>If that’s just academic physics (not IB, AP, Honors), you shouldn’t stress it too much (unless you know that the teacher is notorious for giving a lot of work). Academic physics is VERY easy - all plug and chug. If you were talking about IB Physics, then I would understand your dilemma, but seeing as you don’t seem to flinch at the notion of 6 IB’s, the addition of academic physics shouldn’t be scary, IMO (varies from school/teacher of course).</p>
<p>i think they just want to see you take 4 years of science. so you can probably take AP/IB chem/bio/whatever instead if you’re anti-physics. i would take physics though, just to have some background knowledge for when you take it in college</p>
<p>I don’t know why it’s called SOL Physics because there is no SOL exam for physics. You should check up on the acronym or see what it means, but if it’s just academic physics I don’t think you should stress it too much. It shouldn’t contain calculus, and that takes care of your only problem.</p>
<p>Do not take “Athletic Injuries”, take Physics. Everybody should take Physics, not matter what future plans. It should be required class. It was at my D’s HS.</p>
<p>lol. SOL Physics. That’s the kind of physics that applies to me. Also SOL Statistics. (SOL means something different around here. In common vernacular it means…uhh…nevermind. ;))</p>
<p>Blank = myself with no physics background upon acceptance to Princeton.</p>
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<p>True. However, considering that I’m not the only one among my acquaintances without prior physics knowledge and was never questioned on this point during interviews, etc., I don’t feel the OP’s rumor has much validity. <em>shrugs</em></p>