I transferred to an independent American high school in my sophomore year from Canada. Because there were various requirements to be met and some of the science classes no longer had space available at the time, I took Human Anatomy and Physiology Honors in my sophomore year at that school. I took Chemistry as a junior this year. Next year, I will have to take another science class and it is either Biology or Physics. I am thinking I should take Biology since it is a basic class that almost everyone took in their freshmen year except me. The problem is if I take biology, then I will only be able to take Physics if I switch out of Health and Wellness, but that is a mandatory class as well. I am not going for a STEM major, but I want to apply to very selective colleges. Would not taking Physics in high school jeopardize my admission rate?
Was the anatomy class with a lab? My understanding is that most very selective colleges are looking for three science classes with labs. Agree that you need bio, so take that. Bio would be more of an expectation than physics, I think. You can’t get out of a state mandated class, but can you take it online, or at community college? Or take physics over the summer at community college? See about those options. It is ideally best to get physics in, but not at the expense of bio.
I think physics also has lab.
No college is going to fault you for not taking physics as a result of a) transferring from another country and b) having schedule conflicts. Have the GC explain this in the Secondary School Report.
However, since anatomy and physiology that you already took is a kind of biology course, taking physics instead of biology may show more balance in your selection of science courses. It may also show more rigor, if biology is normally a 9th grade course and physics is normally an 11th or 12th grade course.
@Lindagaf Yes, the Anatomy class is taken with lab. I don’t think I can take either classes online or in community college because I have three AP classes I need to take care of this year on top of extracurricular stuff. Also they would lower my weighted GPA for colleges because they are extra classes that are not honors or AP. If colleges ask about it, I’ll just say I am planning to take Physics online over the summer of my senior year. That would probably help to solve the problem.
Yes, that might work. Talk it over with your GC. At any rate, the Gc should mention your move from Canada in the rec.
Thanks everybody for your help.
@Lindagaf Thanks!
Most schools want 3 years of lab science with at least one year of a life and a physical science each.
I agree with @ucbalumnus. Anatomy and physiology will cover the ‘life science’ area and a junior/senior level physics class will show more rigor than taking 9th grade bio in your senior year, especially since A&P were a 10th grade honors class.
Guys, I encountered a new problem. I just heard from my councilor that health is not a class required for college, which I did not know. I can now drop health to take either Physics or Spanish. Spanish is one of those classes I really would like to take since my major is focused on international studies and learning an additional language would definitely add colors to my resume. But you guys said taking Physics would show good capabilities and rigor, and the very selective colleges would want it. So which one class do you guys think I should take?
It’s not a mandatory class for colleges, but it usually a mandatory class for HS graduation. Is that not the case for you?
Which level of Spanish? If level 1, you’re better served, IMO, to take physics and take Spanish in college if you desire. One year of HS Spanish won;t really get you far.
If it would be Spanish I and you’ve already studied another language (or languages) in depth, then consider self-studying Spanish. You’d probably learn more of the language in a few months over the summer than you would sitting in a class for an entire year; especially if the class is half full of 9th graders, most of whom are only taking Spanish because they think it will be easy.
Also, if you plan to take Biology next year too, then your senior year transcript would show you taking two 9th grade level classes. If you really don’t want to take physics, then try to find another upper level course to take that spot. Maybe one that you think would be more applicable to your field.
You should probably do some research on which colleges you want to apply to and check their admissions requirements. Some require 3 years of science (and recommend that you take chem, bio, and physics) whereas others are more lax. Additionally some schools have a foreign language requirement.
Though since you transferred from “overseas” you might have a bit more leniency in those requirements if your GC explains the situation in his/her letter.
I would also look at your potential colleges and your potential major and see what science is required. FOr a STEM major I would choose physics. FOr pre-med i would choose biology.
A pre-med absolutely needs, biology, chemistry AND physics in high school. Most of your classmates will have taken the AP versions of each of these and repeat the intro level anyway. If you come in without even regular high school level background you will be seriously behind.
OP’s not going for a stem major. I think I agree with post 4.
There are a number of high schools that don’t offer a pure bio class, where it’s general life sci or whatever. A&P with lab may be fine for a non-stem. Then the physics shows the choice of rigor.
And OP can use Addl Info to briefly the need to meet his new school’s requirements.
I talked to my GC again guys. He said Physics is only offered during the second period because it only has one seat left, and I have AP Micro and Macro Econ during that period which I can’t take out. That means I have to take Spanish. I will review some Spanish over the summer and skip Spanish I if it is possible, otherwise I will just stay put and have Health.
Unless most of your classmates hang out here on CC, this is not the case. I’ve met very few premeds who have taken all 3 science AP’s. One or 2, yes, but even that is not necessary. YMMV.
But OP is asking about top tier colleges. I’m confused how he overall matches the usual college recommendations on the classes he should have. Has he taken any foreign language and why AP econ? That might be the course he could self study, take the test, show a good result.
As for everyone, he needs safeties.