I originally signed up for a forensic science class, but my counselor called me in and asked me to apply for an AP science class in order to build a “competitive” application. I already took AP Environmental Science, and the only remaining choices were AP Physics and AP Chemistry. I barely made it through sophomore year chemistry, so I went with AP Physics.
I’m taking (more like struggling through!) an AP Physics prep course right now, and my prep teacher suggested I ask my counselor to let me drop AP Physics and switch back to forensic science because he said sticking with it will only drop my GPA.
What should I do? I genuinely believe that I won’t be able to do well in AP Physics, but I’m worried that asking to change it to forensic science will irritate my counselor (which could possibly lead to a lukewarm recommendation letter)…
I took AP Language & Composition, AP Environmental Science, and IB HL Psychology during my junior year. I don't know my AP scores yet because I'm an international student.
I signed up for AP Literature & Composition, AP Statistics (college cousin said it would be useful since I'm hoping to be a journalism/communications major), and AP Physics for senior year. I'll be continuing IB HL Psychology, of course.
Depends on your future major. What do you intend to major in?
If it’s physics or any kind of engineering, I would say that AP Physics would be the recommended course. If it’s any other major, then it doesn’t matter as much.
On the other hand, have you taken a physics class yet? Normally, most HS students ought to have taken biology, chemistry, and physics (the sacred triangle of science). If you’ve taken a physics course before then, again, not really much need for you to take the AP class.
@NotYetEngineer - I’m planning on majoring in broadcast journalism! I’ve taken biology, chemistry, and AP Environmental Science so far. My counselor insisted I take AP Physics because it would make me a “competitive” applicant.
If you’re going to be majoring in broadcast journalism, then I would drop the AP Physics if you truly believe its going to hurt your GPA. You are 100% confident you do not want to take AP Chemistry, correct? Is there any other type of science class you might be interested in taking at your local CC?
@southernbelle16 - I’m pretty sure I’d do badly in AP Chemistry as well…near the end of 10th grade chemistry, my teacher talked to me and said that I should avoid taking AP Chem because I seemed to have struggled a lot with the basic material.
I’m afraid I can’t take any CC science classes as I’m living overseas and don’t speak the local language well enough to make it through a college-level course.