Calculus is not physics.
Most schools require an introductory physics course before Physics C.
Most students on College Confidential are not IMO medalists who might have a shot at convincing their schools that they need to make an exception because they’re special.
On the flip side, 99.99% of high school students who provide an “explanation” for scheduling conflicts will come across as whiny
I highly doubt that one AP course will be the difference between acceptance and rejection