<p>Two questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Is Physics highly recommended for admission to a top college? </p></li>
<li><p>My private school requires juniors to participate in one team sport or theater for one season and one non-competitive sport for another season. Seniors are required to participate in two competitive or non-competitive sport seasons/theater. I’m considering doing either kickboxing or yoga and theater or sailing this year. The thing is, I don’t want either of these activities to distract from my otherwise very focused EC’s on my application. Will the fact that they are required make it okay? Will the GC make it clear that these were requirements that I had to fulfill?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Some college require physics, some dont.</p>
<p>No those EC’s should show that your are passionate in other areas too and have a variety of experiences.</p>
<p>But I’ve wanted to show colleges that I have passion in 2 areas… writing and the environment 
I fear it will be tainted by this requirement.</p>
<p>LOL umm, anyone else ?</p>
<p>I’m required to take physics to even graduate high school, so I think you’ll find that a lot of people will have had the class.</p>
<p>Even if you don’t enjoy them, it’ll still be interesting to have sailing or kickboxing on your app instead of a typical ball sport. It won’t be tainted; maybe you’re curious to branch out.</p>
<p>I do enjoy them, a lot 
It’s just that I wanted to portray myself as a focused applicant… well, thanks for your reply.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if top schools usually recommend physics?</p>
<p>Most selective colleges are looking for 3 and ideally 4 years of science – and in particular core science courses with a lab component. Physics is one of these core science courses, and its not wise to skip it. Ideally you would take it in conjunction with or after having taken AP Calculus BC, and ideally it would be a physics course that uses Calculus (as an AP Physics would do).</p>
<p>It’s quite typical for private high schools to require some number of visual and performing arts courses, and physical education every year. College admission committees for selective colleges have a good understanding of how such high schools work. There is no need for you or your GC to emphasize this.</p>
<ol>
<li>Yes</li>
<li>Yes</li>
</ol>
<p>You don’t have to list those sports on your app.</p>