<p>Im going to be a junior this year with 4 AP classes, one of them being AP Chemistry. Im also taking Physics honors (our school does not have AP Physics). I live in NYC, and our system is based upon regents, in order to graduate, one must pass 3 of the 4 science regents (Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, I already took the required 3 sciences and have scored over 90 on all, however I didnt take Physics). The reason why I picked Physics for junior year with AP chemistry is because firstly, I enjoy doing Physics and also, I plan to apply to MIT, which also requires an applicant to take a Physics class during high school. My problem is, Physics Honors with AP Chemistry (2 science classes) might become too much, in addition, if I take off Physics from my program, my schedule becomes a lot easier (meaning 2 classes are gone, Physics requires a lab class, which hence becomes an extra class). This will leave A LOT of time for numerous ECs (Im currently the president of 3 major organizations within my school in addition I play 2 sports). I can easily take Physics senior year without a problem. However, should I do this? Will it matter to MIT or another top rated engineering schools (Stanford, Caltech) that Im taking Physics honors senior year? Will they take into account that Im taking AP Chemistry Junior year, hence the Physics I left for another year. </p>
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My problem is, Physics Honors with AP Chemistry (2 science classes) might become too much, in addition, if I take off Physics from my program, my schedule becomes a lot easier (meaning 2 classes are gone, Physics requires a lab class, which hence becomes an extra class) ... Im currently the president of 3 major organizations within my school in addition I play 2 sports...
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<p>Excellent preparation for MIT! Take the physics AND do the EC's! </p>
<p>But in all seriousness, I can see Caltech taking offense to push physics off?</p>
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I plan to apply to MIT, which also requires an applicant to take a Physics class during high school.
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MIT does not actually require that admits take a physics class before matriculating.</p>
<p>I think the best test is the "what if I don't get in" test -- if you make either choice, and you end up not getting into MIT or Caltech in your senior year, which choice will you not regret having made?</p>
<p>Well...colleges like MIT and Caltech don't give Regents exams too much attention. The thing where they say you have to have 4 Sciences is complete BS - I have only 1. Unless, of course, you are striving for advanced regents diploma with honors (which is not worth a penny), forget about those...but that's beside the point, sorry.</p>
<p>Physics (with "lab") and AP Chemistry are very doable together. If you drop the Physics course, you'll free about 15-20 min from your day. The best thing to do, the way I see it, would be to take that Physics class, drop one of your AmHistory AP or the like, and to learn the Physics B material, take the test, and get a 5.
In this scenario, by the time you apply next fall, you will have demonstrated some initiative, independence, and curiosity/passion or whatever it's called. I think most people will support me when I say that a 5 on self-studied Physics B in a school that doesn't offer the course is worth more than a 5 on, let's say, AP Psycho.
So, talk to your teacher - hopefully he/she would be glad to help you. Talk to your AP coordinator/principal about taking the exam. If they refuse or start sending you to each other - threaten to call superintendent (that's how I got to take Physics C exam). Do whatever you can and can't to take that test. Admittedly, it might be hard to have AP Chem and AP Physics...So you'll have to see there - maybe leave AP Physics for senior year (in that case, it wouldn't really matter and could even be viewed as an application enhancer (I can't say it for sure, though)). Maybe, you can leave AP Chem for senior year? I don't know - you'll have to decide on this one. But one thing is certain: having a good grade in AP Physics in your situation won't hurt you.</p>
<p>God, do I hate NYC public education system... :)</p>
<p>It sounds very much like the OP wants very much to push Physics off for a year and is looking for validation for that choice. I certainly agree with that decision. It is far, far better to push it off for a year and have a junior year where you remain sane and excel, then to kill yourself junior year and finish with either poor grades, or alternatively with fine grades and a heavy case of burnout.</p>
<p>Your schoolwork shoule challenge you, but it shouldn't kill you. There is nothing inherently wrong in taking Physics senior year. Indeed, in a number of school systems, that is when all of the students take Physics. Don't stress over this. Try to enjoy it.</p>
<p>My son took both hs weighted physics and chemistry junior year. He said the physics was really just math to him, if that makes any difference to you in figuring out how to balance your schedule. i really can't imagine school's care when you take it, just that you do. In our school, which has less than 500 kids in four grades, often scheduling conflicts dictate when you take a class. If there is only one section of several classes, as we have only one section of physics, calculus, econ,broadcast jounalism, band, etc, and they are offered during the same period, students have to put things in a differnt year out of neccesity, and I would hope most schools do not hold that against them, although I am increasingly convinced that the odds are stacked against kids from small public high schools, no matter how smart they are. That is some of the reasoning Harvard has been stating for their elimination of early admissions, is to even the playing field out a bit.</p>
<p>I also went to a small school were it would have been impossible to take physics before senior year. True, this was before distance education and self studying were so common, but I can't imagine any school would hold it against you if you waited until next year to take physics. It would be much worse to try to do too much juinior year and have your grades suffer as a result, given that this is probably the most important year as far as college admissions are concerned.</p>
<p>You do not need to have taken physics to get into MIT. It's been a long time since I was applying to schools, but if I recall correctly, the suggestion was that you have taken at least four sciences in as many years of high school, and there was no requirement that all of biology, chemistry, and physics be represented. In other words, it would have been fine to take Bio I & II, and Chem I&II, and leave off physics entirely.</p>
<p>To address your other question, it is certainly possible to take two science courses in one year. I took two science classes every year that I was in high school, along with the regular assortment of english, history, and math, with no problems. It all depends on your school and your other priorities. How important are the three clubs you are president of? How much do you enjoy your two sports? Ten years from now, will you cherish the memories of the post-game dinners with your teammates or the pride of having finished off your science classes a year early?</p>