Science path

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’m in honors chemistry as a freshman.
I want to take AP CHEM, AP PHYSICS, and just some form of biology.

Here are several paths I’m considering:
9)Honors Chem 10) Honors Bio and Honors Physics 11) AP Physics C 12) AP Chemistry

OR
9) hon Chem 10) ap Chemistry with honors physics 11) AP PHYSICS C 12) Ap Biology

OR
9)hon. Chem 10) AP CHEM with honors bio 11) honors physics 12) AP PHYSICS C

OR 9) Honors chem 10) AP bio and Honors physics 11) AP PHYSICS C 12) AP CHEM

I have all As for my grades so work ethic isn’t an issue and I’m taking 5 honors classes including chem this year

2

I would like to suggest a slightly different track than any of the ones listed above. I’ll also include your intended math sequence. An explanation will be given.

  1. Honors Chemistry with Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra 2, and Honors Trigonometry
  2. AP Chemistry and Honors Physics with AP Calculus BC
  3. AP Physics C and Honors Biology with Honors Calculus 3
  4. AP Biology with AP Statistics

Science Explanation:
You mentioned in previous posts wanting to major in physics and possibly math. The track I choose and added to was chosen just for that reason.

-Taking Honors Physics as a sophomore and AP Physics C as a junior would allow you to enroll at a nearby college in
a higher level physics class.

-Never wait a year between a high school science class and an AP science class. More likely than not, you will forget at least some of the rudimentary information you learned in the high school class. Due to this, I have placed each high school class with the AP Class coming the next year.

-Taking AP Biology without having taken Honors Biology is a VERY bad idea. I am currently in Research Biology Honors as a freshman, a pre-requisite for AP Biology or AP/DE Biology at my school. Without a foundation in biology learned in Honors Biology, you would likely not succeed in AP Biology.

Math Explanation:
The sequence you wish to embark on is not unattainable, but there is one glaring problem. AP Statistics as your sole math class in senior year looks to colleges as if you just don’t care anymore. Enroll with a nearby college and take Linear Algebra or Differential Equations or both.

Notice that I’m saying skipping to AP Calculus BC is not a bad idea. I taught myself Pre-calculus over our 2 week winter break and passed the final exam this past week with a 99%. I won’t get credit for it and am being forced to enroll in Honors Pre-calculus next year. I feel your pain with the longing to advance in math. So do it. However, do NOT take AP Statistics as your only math class ever as a prospective math or physics major.

I hope this helped!

3

Do you have an intended major?

4

@Waterborne somewhere in Physics, math as a second choice

5

@bwhs2021 actually Honors bio is not required for AP bio at my school, the prerequisite is honors chemistry. All the freshmen that are in chemistry can choose AP Bio.

I am considering enrolling in something other than AP Statistics such as linear algebra, thanks for bringing that up.

I agree with you on this path, it’s actually the one I was considering the most, but considering I had so many options, that’s why I posted for others’ opinions.

Thanks

6

The third path is likely the best as long as you’re currently in algebra2H. Optimally you should have calculus honors or AB before you take physics C although you may take it concurrently.
Since you want to be a physics major, taking physics Senior year will indicate that tour academic interests have been carefully considered. It’ll also allow for a better transition to college physics.