AP Chemistry vs Physics 1/2 classes for selective CS

physicalchem
Fri, 03 Sep 2021 06:56:50 +0000

I’m a high school student in 11th grade trying to decide between AP Chemistry and AP Physics 1 (which would lead to AP Physics 2 next year). From what I have learned, AP Physics C is generally preferred, but it’s not available at my school.

If my goal is to major in CS at a selective school, does it matter whether I take the chemistry or algebra-based physics classes? Chemistry looks quite intimidating and I’m much more interested in the content that AP Physics has to offer, but I’ve also heard that schools tend to prefer chemistry if calculus-based physics is not available. Thanks in advance!