So I moved in between my junior and senior year from Hawaii to North Carolina, and due to different graduation requirements here (I need a credit of Environmental Science, taking APES), I am unable to take Physics, the class I was originally intending to take. And when I say unable to take it, I mean completely impossible for me. This is beyond my control as the state has said no to my request to skip it since I took it in 8th grade in Hawaii (not a grad. req. there). How screwed am I, if at all, since I am applying to MIT and CalTech? Is my saving grace the two years of robotics I did in FIRST and VEX before I moved? Thanks for any replies.
Physics in college may be more of a struggle if you have not had high school physics. Also, high school physics can give you an initial taste of the most important science upon which engineering is built, so you would be risking the possibility of not liking or not doing well in physics at a later stage (i.e. in college instead of high school) when the options to change direction are fewer.
Is there any other course you can replace with physics?
Looks like NC high school graduation requirements are weird in that they require biology, environmental science, and a physical science (presumably chemistry or physics): http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/curriculum/home/graduationrequirements.pdf
Unless I self study AP Physics, there is not another course I can replace it with as my schedule is already so tight. This is due to needing to take classes I would otherwise not need if not in NC. I could see about taking a Physics course at my local community college. Do you think that would suffice.
Yes, a college introductory physics course could be used. Some community colleges offer a preparatory physics course that substitutes for high school physics as a prerequisite for the physics for physics and engineering majors sequence. There may also be a physics for biology majors sequence (what AP physics 1/2 attempts to emulate), though it may be filled with grade-competitive pre-meds.
If scheduling is an issue, you could do physics via an accredited homeschool online provider too. Sometimes that is easier to fit in than a CC course.
Do check out if there is any online course or evening class at CC you can take. Have you taken any HS physics class like earth science? Most engineering schools would put Physics 1xx in the freshmen schedule and one may still finish the degree in 4 years. Ask your GC to mention the schedule conflict. Without AP Physics should not be too much a trouble for you.
State Virtual School programs might be an option. I know Florida Virtual is available to out-of-state folk, though there is a fairly significant fee involved.
I agree, if you want to bean engineer you will want to have taken physics.
Talk to your guidance counselor about possible methods like dual enrollment or online options that the school pays for.
Tell them that you need to take physics…how can they do it. or can you take Physics and do environmental science online?
Physics needs a lot of lab works. It may not be feasible to do online courses.
My earth science credit was covered in Hawaii as I did it at my middle school. However, NC requires a high school credit for it, so I am forced to take Environmental Science.