My daughter is currently a freshman in high school. In her school the progression is:
-physics in freshman year
-chemistry in sophomore year
-biology in junior
-science elective in senior year- usually some type of AP
I thought that it would make sense to take AP Physics in her senior year. She was thinking that if she was going to take AP Physics that she should do it right after Honors Physics so that she would retain better what she learned in Honors Physics. She could pick AP Physics up as one of her sophomore year electives. This makes sense to me, but I am not sure if it would look good on her transcript if she did not have any Science class in grade 12. She is a highly competitive, driven student, and has no intention/interest in being a Science-based major. She would love to go to Tufts.
Would this issue even matter? She would still have 4 Science classes. Is this just splitting hairs at this point?
The 4 year science plan:
-honors physics (9)
-honors chemistry (10)
-honors bio (11)
-AP physics (12)
The 3 year science plan:
-honors physics (9)
-honors chem and AP physics (10)
-honors bio (11)
Thank you for any and all advice and input!
Christine
Yes, it’s splitting hairs. Your daughter is a freshman with miles to go.
Personally, unless it’s the norm at the HS to double up sophomore year (and to be able to do it without sacrificing another core course), I would wait. The “taking it right after” argument is, IMO, not critical in HS science as it is in, for example, a foreign language; it will all come rolling back very quickly, Additionally, the AP Physics exam is notoriously tough (assuming we’re talking AP Physics 1,since you need calc for AP Physics C), with 60 % failing. And across the board, juniors/seniors score higher than freshman/sophs. Finally, in a couple of years, she my have an interest in some science course other than AP Physics.
From a transcript perspective, colleges will not care when a course is taken.
Which AP physics and what level of math will your D have? If it’s AP physics C, she needs to be at least concurrently enrolled in calculus.
I agree with skieurope that it’s not critical to take the AP course right after honors.
Personally I would not recommend doubling up on sciences in 10th grade.
Agree, I wouldn’t double up lab science courses, one being AP.
If possible, I’d hold off and take Physics C as a senior if she has the Calc pre-/co-requisite. AP C would look better than AP 1 with no science senior year.
AP physics C requires calculus (may be taken concurrently).
AP physics 1 or 2 requires geometry and algebra 2 (algebra 2 may be taken concurrently).
She should consider what math she will have completed and be enrolled in when deciding when to take AP physics.
Thank you everyone! You have given us a lot to consider. We will look at her math progression as well when the decision needs to be made.