<p>I want to drop AP Physics B because I cannot manage to do well in the course. I am currently a junior in high school and I'm already taking 2 other AP courses (US History and Com Sci) and several honors courses. However, the workload has been tremendous and I cannot keep at this rate in the class because I have several extracurricular activities. I want to become a doctor so I want to get into the Pre-med program. Herein lies the problem because I know Physics is a science and I think it would be better if I took it in college and just take regular Physics at this time. Would this keep me from being admitted into the university because I believe they will find out as I have already ended the first quarter of the school year in AP Phys B. Please help me.</p>
<p>If you’re having trouble with 3 APs, it is probably unlikely that Stanford or Yale are in your future.</p>
<p>That evaluation is a little harsh. At some schools, particularly top private schools that are known for being “Ivy feeders”, the number of AP’s one can take in a year is restricted to a certain number, denoting the competitiveness of the courses since an AP course at one of those schools is often taught at a higher, more complex level than one at an under-funded public high school. We need more information from the OP though. What is the definition of “cannot do well” in this sense? If it’s a B, I’d advise you to stick to the course.</p>
<p>Dropping AP Physics is not going to keep you out of college. Sit down with your counselor, and re-organize your class schedule so that you have the one that is right for YOU.</p>
<p>As for med school, people get in every year after completing pre-med courses at colleges and universities whose names never appear here at CC. If your long-term goal is a career in medicine, where you complete your undergraduate degree is not nearly as important getting good enough grades at the institution you do attend. There is a whole Forum here on the topic of Medical School. Click on “Discussion Home” in the upper-left of this screen, and scroll down to find it.</p>
<p>If I read your post correctly, you’re considering dropping from AP Physics to regular Physics. Is that correct?</p>
<p>If so, you’ve really got to figure out if dropping half way through the semester will cause your grade in regular Physics to be lower than it otherwise would be… that would be the worst of both worlds.</p>
<p>If you can get at least a B in AP Physics, I would suggest sticking with it, even it if means cutting back on one or more of your ECs and getting some tutoring. Then, if you can possibly get an A on your final AP Physics grade in May or June, your B from first semester will mean less.</p>
<p>I might put this in the “open your mouth and remove all doubt” category of practical advice. If you drop AP Physics all together and take in Sr. year instead, no harm, no foul. If you stick with AP Physics or regular Physics with a C grade, AND you plan to major in science in college, that C grade would work against you in admissions at a top 20 school.</p>
<p>I would tend to disagree with fledgling and agree with sherpa here. First, I resent my school being called an underfunded public school. :P</p>
<p>The final “value” of an AP course, from my perspective as an AP whore/scholar, is determined by what you score on the AP exam for the subject. I don’t know the exact requirements for a course to be AP certified, but I’m sure there’s a wide range of rigor among courses.</p>
<p>If you make a B in the class but get a 5 (or perhaps a 4?) on the AP, I think the colleges would see that you are qualified, and the class was exceptionally difficult. On the other hand, if you get an A in class but a 2 on the exam, colleges will probably conclude your AP class is a blow off.</p>