When I go to college I want to study something humanities related like History.
I love English and Social Studies; they’re my favorite subjects. I still do well in Algebra 2 and Chemistry, but the subjects kind of disinterest me. I’m currently getting ready to choose courses for next year, which leads me to my question:
Is it worth taking Physics if I don’t want to study anything related to science/math in college? Will colleges look down upon my lack of a Physics course on my transcript? I want to go to a top-notch college, but am not primarily aiming for an Ivy League or anything.
Edit: In lieu of Physics, I would be taking an earth science (IB Environmental) next year and Geospatial Analysis senior year.
Colleges generally require at least 3 years of science for admissions. This includes one year each of bio, chem, and physics. Not taking physics will limit your college options. The basic core high school requirements do not change regardless of your intended major (while there may be further requirements for some majors, such as engineering).
The reason a lot of colleges like physics is because it teaches you (if you do it right) a method of thinking… it’s really about problem-solving (not the cheesy kind, this is legit stuff). That’s why lawyers and doctors have to have outstanding physics grades. Honestly, I’d take the physics class, especially since you’re looking at an alternative of earth science (unless that’s extremely interesting to you).
Everyone is probably correct in that many colleges expect Physics; however, I was unaware of this standard (and will most likely not be taking Physics) because of my school’s attitude towards it. My school requires us to take either Earth Science or APES as well as Bio and Chem. We have no physics requirement and most students (even many top-notch ones) do not take it. They get into colleges just fine. It is a killer of GPAs at my school.
So with all that said, I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary or will completely break you if you don’t take Physics and the rest of your transcript/extracurriculars/recommendations/etc is glowing. But it doesn’t hurt. If you think you can take it and it won’t kill your GPA, go for it.
@MissSuzyQ I do think that Physics is pretty hard in N.C, as I know we both live here. It’s hard in my county, and many neighboring counties too. Either NC is bad at physics, or the standard is high.
@rippedfishnets Yes, I’m talking about IB Physics. I’m planning to do the IB Diploma Program, so for my science credit I was thinking on IB Environmental SL for junior year and be done with science for the diploma (and take Geospatial Analysis senior year, which is a college credit for JMU).
However, if colleges prefer at least taking a Physics class then I would take IB Physics 1 SL junior year and then IB Environmental SL senior year for the IB science exam credit because there’s no way I’m taking the IB Physics exam (more rigorous however, I guess, but then I would be taking Physics for two years).
