Which schedule seems to be better in terms of rigor and just in general?
AP Physics 1
AP English Lang
Honors Earth Science
Honors World Cultures
Honors Psychology
Calculus
Health
Band
VS
AP Calculus AB
AP Physics 1
AP English Lang
Honors World Cultures
Honors Psychology
Health
Band
Neither.
2 would be the better option if you added in a foreign language. You don’t need 2 sciences. Nor do you need 2 social studies if that is what’s hindering you from adding a FL.
Oh I forgot I’m taking a language as well
I agree with @skieurope - AP Calc is one of those things that AOs like seeing on applicants for STEM majors.
If I were you, I would think of taking AP Physics C next year instead of AP Physics 1 this year. In general, algebra-based physics is more of a pain than calculus-based physics, especially if you take AP Calc this year. There is a reason that more students get 4s and 5s on Physics C than on Physics 1 and 2, and it’s not only self-selection (like in Calc BC).
It varies by school, bur AP Physics C, if even offered, invariably has a physics prerequisite
Actually IMO it’s exactly like calc BC in terms of self selection, especially if the course covers E&M. It’s usually only the future engineers and natural science majors that take it.
Why would anybody but future engineers and natural science majors be taking AP Physics?
Wait so I don’t have to take AP physics if I don’t want to major in a natural science? I want to major in psych
@MWolf People not planning to be engineers or natural silence majors might take AP Physics for a variety of reasons. The AP credit could fulfill a general ed requirement for college, it would show schedule rigor to name but two reasons. It may not be usual but my D happened to find physics the easiest of the sciences – it just fit her thought process better than bio or chem.
FWIW my D graduated with a BS in psychology and that degree required a minimum of 5 hard science classes (a BA degree was also available at her college without that degree of science coursework). In college she took 2 chemistry, 2 physics, 1 bio, and one anatomy/physiology as a psychology major. She felt her science coursework was invaluable in grad school studying speech pathology.
Did she take calculus in high school/college?
So they are the same for:
AP Physics 1
AP English Lang
Honors World Cultures
Honors Psychology
Health
Band
The first schedule has:
Honors Earth Science
Calculus
The second schedule has:
AP Calculus AB
Assuming that “Calculus” covers less material at lower level of difficulty than AP calculus AB, then the second schedule is probably more useful, since AP calculus AB is already a slower gentler introduction to calculus than calculus in college will be.
Foreign language, or did you already complete the year 4 or AP level course?
I meant to say foreign language as well haha
Depending on what level of schools you’re aiming for:
Non top 40 universities/LACs=
Either one, as long as you have a foreign language and perhaps replace earth science with APES or Anatomy&physiology.
Top 40 universities/LACs
Schedule 2 with a foreign language added in.
Agreed. My older D’s graduating class of 550+ had only a single AP Physics C class (~25 students). Even Calc BC had 3 classes of students (~60 students).