College Physics vs Regents Physics in High School

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>My high school offers both a regents, or a normal level, physics class and a college physics class through a community college. As of the last marking period of my sophomore year, I am in the top 10 of my class and have a weighted GPA of over 100. Unfortunately, the college physics course has proved to be very challenging for me and I am falling (below a 65) the class. My college physics teacher recommended that I stay in the class because colleges like to see that you are challenging yourself and that this college-level physics class will set you apart from the rest of the applicants. However, should I jeopardize my academic standing just to, hopefully, impress admissions officers with the college physics course or should I switch into the regents-level physics class which is not as difficult a class as the college-level class to uphold my class rank and current GPA? </p>

<p>I believe I have worked very hard these past two years, and I don’t want my academic standings to drop during, arguably, the most crucial year of my high school career. I would appreciate help deciding which class I should take as my other teachers have told me that if the class causes my GPA to drop tremendously, having the college physics class will become obsolete because a student with the higher GPA will more than likely have the upper-edge. The contradicting opinions have put me into a difficult position in which I do not know which class to take. The final date I can drop a class is next week, Friday, October 17, 2014. </p>

<p>Thank you for all help in advance! </p>

2

<p>Switch. Sometimes it’s just the professor. And he doesn’t want the “drop” against his record, so he has a pony in this race. Your other teachers don’t. Switch. You and he are not a good match. Cut your losses. You could argue ‘A’ Regents = ‘B’ college, but not ‘C’/‘D’; this is just not working out for you. Move to a sunnier place!</p>

3

<p>I would have to agree with itsJustSchool,</p>

<p>You’re clearly a good student, but maybe physics (or this specific physics class) just isn’t your thing. 5, 10 some would argue even 15 points lower in a higher level class is better, but I think colleges would rather see a passing grade in a lower level class than you failing a more difficult one.</p>

<p>You also have to take into consideration that even though there is the possibility you could do some hardcore studying for this class and possibly improve it to a “B”, you’re other classes may suffer from lack of attention.</p>