What's the best way to explain not taking Physics?

D18 is finishing up her application to GT and will be listing Aerospace Engineering as her intended major. Due to scheduling conflicts at her school, she was unable to take AP Physics I or either AP Physics C courses and was instead placed into AP Environmental Science. I’m concerned that not having an AP Physics course will work against her in GT’s selection process. She completed AP Biology last year and scored a 4 on the exam. She completed Calc AB last year (5 on the exam) and is taking Calc BC this year.

She has been filling out the Coalition App, and I was looking it over to see if there’s an “Anything else we should know” spot where she could explain why she didn’t take Physics this year. I didn’t see a spot. Is there anything like that in the Common App? If not, should she email the Admissions Office after she’s applied to provide this additional information?

Yes. However, She should not explain. Have the GC explain it on the Secondary School report.

That said, I should ask if this schedule conflict is a true conflict? Is each of these physics classes offered at the same time as a required course that can’t be moved to another period, or is it at the same time as an elective?

How did she do on the AB exam. They really look at math and the sciences.

I think you take should take a big deep breath and relax!
Honestly, I’m sure the Tech Admissions Department doesn’t care. When they look at AP’s they are looking for rigor and dedication. As you’ve shown with her other AP scores, she has exactly the kind of drive that all colleges want from their students! Those are in Science and Math classes too, so even better!
It’s better to do awesome in a few AP classes than just okay in a bunch. 4s and 5s show mastery, be proud of her and accent her success in those courses instead of drawing attention to what you might consider a shortcoming. Going out of your way to forgive a “mistake” takes time away that could be spent celebrating her achievements and increasing the quality of her Holistic application elements!

BEST of luck!!!

I know college app season is stressful on both the student and their parents, but try to focus on the positive qualities/academics that would make her fit at her dream college!

My sons school doesn’t offer physics, so he took it over the summer at a local college. We saw too many schools that said it was required, so he found a way to get the credit. Depends if GT says it’s required. If they don’t, don’t worry about it.

@ChattaChia From what I can tell, Physic isn’t required by GT (and certainly not AP Physics). Cornell was the only school that we looked at that required it. GT’s first-semester engineering curriculum shows Calc II (they do assume Calc I credit), Physics 1, and Chem 1 as a typical lineup. Even if she had taken AP Physics, I probably would have recommended that she take their Physics 1 course rather than take the AP credit.

@RowJar Thanks for the input. We’re not really stressed out about it (and I definitely don’t think she’s made a mistake). I do want to make sure we’re covering our bases. I got the impression during our tour that they look closely not only at the academic rigor but also at the specific decisions that students make with respect to ECs and classes. The AO that ran the information session provided some excellent examples of what she is looking for with respect to “intellectual curiosity” and challenging one’s self.

As a former engineer, it would seem odd to me to see an applicant that had not taken Physics in HS applying for an engineering program. It wouldn’t disqualify the applicant, but I would be looking for an explanation as to why. So really I just want to make sure that we’re proactive in providing GT with the explanation. I’ve told D to make sure the GC notes the conflict when she provides them with the information they want.

A wannabe engineering student (and aerospace, at that,) without the rigor of AP physics, isn’t the same as the kid who takes advanced or DE stem in hs and can’t fit in 3rd or 4th year of, say, foreign language (for colleges that want that.)

Arebyou now saying she’s had no physics?

Contd, I got cut off.

Are you now saying she’s had no physics?
Or you meant AP?

GT is looking for more than “rigor and dedication.” They need to see she’s ready for the four years in the program. Does she have relevant math-sci ECs? Is there experience that led to wanting engineering and aero, in particular?

As ski asked, what sort of conflict? If it’s mandatory school or district grad requirements, she can put in a line in Addl Info about that. Then the GC could note it…and do some raving about her stem strengths.