I’m a rising senior in high school and I’m interested in studying business / computer science in college. I took my first computer science course this year (AP Computer Science Principles) and I found that I really enjoyed the course. I’ve never taken physics, but I’m also not really interested in the course or engineering/anything closely related with it.
I can either take AP Java or a physics course (probably AP Physics C) next year as my elective. Which should I take?
I’m afraid colleges might look down on me if I don’t take physics, but I also want to demonstrate my interest in compsci and do something I like. Advice?
Depends on what kinds of colleges you are aiming for. Generally speaking the most selective schools expect to see bio, chem, and physics. It doesn’t have to be AP if you aren’t that interested.
If you’ve never had a first year Physics course, AP Physics C would be a bad choice. It typically has a one-year (preferably honors) pre-requisite.
Schools do like seeing all three sciences, but a CS major application with only CSP could be tough.
Some colleges have CS in the engineering division, which tends to require physics in college. It will be more difficult to take physics in college if you have not had physics in high school (but high school physics does not have to be AP physics).
Of course, if you target colleges where CS is in the arts and sciences division, physics is less likely to be a major requirement. But more selective colleges may want to see physics among your sciences (again, it does not have to be AP physics for this purpose).