In my high school in my country, I was in the science stream in my 9th and 10th year, but switched to the commerce stream for 11th and 12th. I’m really regretting this decision, as I’ve lately been interested in getting a bachelor’s degree in engineering. So I’m taking the AP Physics C Mechanics, Physics C Electricity & Magnetism, Chemistry, Calculus BC, Computer Science Principles and Computer Science A exams in May. Also, I didn’t take any course but my counsellor told me that because I have taken so many exams, they will still appear on my transcript.
So would I be able to get into an engineering college even if I’m in the commerce stream?
If you mean as an international applicant to engineering majors at US universities, yes if you fulfill the basic high school requirements for admission (which vary by university) and have sufficiently competitive application in terms of grades, test scores, and whatever else each university looks at.
Not all engineering major programs at US universities are highly selective.
Not all are highly selective, but are all the good ones? I’d like to get into a tier 1 college or higher. I’m pretty sure my grades and everything else are good enough.
But, since I haven’t taken science in 11th & 12th, I only have level 2 physics, chem and bio. Because APs are college level courses, would I fulfill the requirement for 4 years physics and chem as well?
The typical expectation by more selective US universities is 3-4 years of science in high school, which means biology, chemistry, and physics plus an advanced or AP level course as the fourth year. Of course, there is a competitive arms race where some applicants try to get as much as possible.
For math, the minimum expectation for engineering is precalculus, with some more selective schools wanting to see calculus in high school. Of course, the competitive arms race of advanced math applies here as well.
At most engineering programs in the US, precalculus and high school chemistry and physics are the minimum prerequisites for the actual course work, though a few assume calculus and start at a more advanced level in math by default.
Those AP scores won’t be able to help in the admissions process, as application deadlines start October/November 1st and end around February 1st. If your school offers advanced math and science, and you didn’t take those courses that is certainly a negative.
As an engineering candidate without a math and science background, the SAT/ACT becomes even more important.
In post 3, it looks you have already had physics, chemistry, and biology in high school (non-advanced / AP level). That already meets the baseline of high school science expected by US universities. Of course, taking AP or other advanced level courses in those subjects can make you more competitive in the admission arms race at some of the most selective universities.