As a preface, I’m specifically wondering how top schools (Stanford, MIT, the Ivies) would view this.
Going into my senior year I’ll want a 4th year of science. So far I’ve taken the usual Biology H, Chemistry H, and standard Physics (if the “high aspirations” I have now were less recent, I would have easily taken AP Physics this year instead, but it was late into the school year I decided, and am stuck with the standard physics class). I feel I screwed myself over because of this.
Now the question is, will a top University look down on having taken normal physics one year, and taking AP the next, rather than having just challenged myself from the start? Also, given my other 3 science class (as well as a half-year astronomy class) what would you say a good 4th year science class would be? Would AP Physics still be a good choice or should I take something new and unrelated to the other three core sciences. I’m fine with any choice tbh, all sciences interest me. Just looking for the most “attractive” choice.
Generally I’ll just go with things, but I want to make sure my Senior year schedule is as good as can be. My previous years’ classes were not the best options.
Are you in calculus this year or will you be next year? Then you could take ap physics C. It’d be totally fine since AP physics c is the second level in the sequence. Alternatively you could take AP physics 2 if your school offers it. That’s assuming you’re currently getting an A in your physics class.
My school offers AP Physics 1 but not 2, meaning it would be pretty much a repeat of content learned this year. Luckily Physics C is offered, but without having any Calculus experience would this be fine? I’m taking Calculus next year, so it’d be learning content alongside a class that already uses that content
No
Taking calculus concurrently is normal for students taking Physics C
Hopefully the Calculus that you are taking is of the AP variety. AP Physics C and AP Calculus AB theoretically are working hand in hand since the material is standardized. All bets are off though if you are taking a non-AP Calc class.
The OP indicated elsewhere that s/he will be taking Calc BC.
Not really, but depends upon the HS, and the calc and physics teachers. Each HS can set its own prerequisites and corequisites as it sees fit, and the calculus required for Physics C is not that advanced. Now, whether Physics C should require more advanced calculus to align better with intro courses at some universities is a question for the College Board, and certainly beyond the scope of this thread.