<p>I am a student in CA with a 4.5 gpa and a 2140 on my sat with a 770 on US Hist and 720 on Bio ecological for the subject tests. I'm applying to colleges such as UC Berkeley and Stanford. My current schedule consists of AP Physics B, AP Calc AB, AP English Liter, AP Macro Econ/Gov, APES, and Graphic Design. Although I have all A's and a B in calculus, my physics class is horrid. I do not even understand the material and my teacher, although an intelligent individual, is very bad at teaching and gives me a great deal of stress each day. Although he allows us to make up every test and basically gives us answers, giving me an A, I am seriously considering switching out of the class second semester to alleviate stress and become a teacher's aid instead while keeping all my other classes. The important question is: Will this change seriously hurt my chances of being accepted into either college? And if so, why? What is the best option in my given situation? Thank you for all the help.</p>
<p>Your grades and SAT scores suggest that you should be able to self study the Physics B material. Unless your teacher provides mis-information the class can only help a self study perspective, which given your situation is a realistic way at looking at this class. You’ll find many college courses, particularly is high caliber colleges such as Stanford, require such a perspective. Only so much material can be covered in class.</p>
<p>Needing to explain why you’ve dropped the class is not worth the risk of “hurting your chances”. But you do need to find a way not to stress. From a distance it’s not a rational thing to do. Perhaps tuning out the teacher is a better approach if the stress in unavoidable.</p>
<p>In any case mastering AP Physics B is a great preparation science courses that you may take in college.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t. Especially if you do it second semester senior year, it will look as if you are trying to cruise in. Since I believe you need to report your second semester courses on your mid-year report, it would look bad for you to have one less class, even if you are picking up something else.</p>
<p>If you are basically handed out A’s, then just relax.
I can think of only one reason why you would be concerned about actually learning the material.
- You want the AP credit/prep for college. In which case, dropping would not help you.
- You go to a private school and you pay big $$$ to learn the material.</p>
<p>Otherwise, if you have next to no interest in Physics later, just relax and let your teacher hand out grades. An A at this point is probably better than anything else you could do.</p>