I have my schedule set in for my senior year. I am not totally happy with it. If anyone would like to help me out, it would be much appreciated! I would like to major in biochemistry (pre-med) with a minor or double major in Italian. I’ll outline all my high school credited classes so you can get a better idea. I live in NY so regents means college prep level and DCC is just dual enrollment.
8th Grade:
Italian 1
Algebra 1 Honors
Earth Science Honors
9th Grade:
Italian 2
Geometry Honors
Bio Honors
Global History 1 Honors
English 9 Honors
10th Grade:
Italian 3
Algebra 2 regents
Chemistry Honors
Global history 2 honors
English 11 Honors
Health
Ceramics 1
11th grade:
Italian 4 Honors
Pre Calc
AP Chem
APUSH
AP Lang
Astronomy
For 12th Grade, I have:
AP Italian 5
AP Calc AB
AP Bio
DCC Econ/AP Gov
AP Lit
Honors Physics
I’m strongly considering dropping Physics and taking AP Stats instead as I want to make up for being in lower level math sophomore and junior year (plus I have the stats teacher for pre calc and we get along really well). Is this dumb considering I am a science major and will I have a disadvantage in the admissions process? Also, the physics department in my school is really not good and is notorious for being a disaster. On top of that, I have no interest at all in physics which would not make me a happy camper my senior year. I am just really conflicted on what to do and could use some insight!! Thanks!
I think they would be about the same on an application. It’s tough having no Physics as a science major, but it’s Boechem, and you’ve had AP Bio and Chem, so you should be good. You’re in AP Calc, so there’s really not much to “make up for”, but statistical analysis can be useful in many areas of science (and life). If Stats has a favored teacher, and Physics has a bad history, switching would seem logical.
Check some schools you are thinking about to see what they prefer for sciences, just in case they care that you don’t have physics.
Pre-meds have to take physics in college. If you have no physics at all in high school you will be at a disadvantage competing for A grades with other pre-meds who have had physics in high school.
Take physics honors, you really don’t want to be pre-med with a required physics sequence when you’ve never taken physics.
AP stats is an easy math class, it doesn’t replace nor offsets anything. Physics honors is seen as more rigorous.
I agree, take Physics and drop AP bio if necessary. Colleges want you to take Bio, chem and physics.
Agree, I would keep physics. First as noted above many colleges want to see a HS sequence that includes bio, chem, and physics. Second, it would be helpful to have some physics background since it is a required pre-med course. And since you are taking calculus senior year I don’t see any particular need for AP Stat.-- it is not regarded as one of the more rigorous AP classes.
Just from personal experience, BC Calc will help you with your physics…a LOT (unless you’re taking Physics 1/2 and not Physics C). And honestly, the AB/BC test shouldn’t be too much different (in fact, they share a lot of the same questions).