Do I Have to Take Physics in High School?

cdonley137
Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:36:14 +0000

Hi everybody,

I am scheduled to select my classes for my junior year of high school in a few weeks and am at a bit of a cross as to which science class I should take. First, I will give you a history of the classes I have taken freshman and sophomore years:

Grade 9:


-Honors Biology
-English 9 Honors
-Global History and Geography 9 Honors
-Drawing and Design for Production
-Spanish II
-Financial Planning/Banking and Credit
-Regents Geometry

Grade 10:


-AP European History
-Regents Chemistry (no honors offered)
-Regents Algebra II/Trigonometry
-Spanish III
-Accounting I
-College Business Mathematics (3 SUNY Credits)
-English 10 Honors

Now, I am having trouble picking science classes for junior and senior years. I want to take both AP Environmental Science and AP Biology, but everyone says that taking Physics is very important. However, my school only offers a Regents level Physics course, no college or AP. After taking a regents science class this year, I do NOT want to take another one because of how simplistic the courses and exams are.

I plan to take the following courses junior and senior years:

Grade 11:


-College American History (study for AP Exam) (6 SUNY Credits)
-AP English Language and Composition
-College Algebra and Trigonometry (6 SUNY Credits)
-College Spanish IV (4 SUNY Credits)
-College Financial Accounting (4 SUNY Credits)
-Business Computer Applications
-Either AP Biology or Regents-level Physics

Grade 12:


-AP US Government and Politics
-AP English Literature and Composition
-College Calculus I and II (8 SUNY Credits) (study for AP Calculus Exam)
-College Spanish V (4 SUNY Credits) (Study for AP Spanish Exam)
-College Micro-Economics (3 SUNY Credits) (Study for AP Exam)
-Health
-Either AP Biology (if I take Physics junior year) or AP Environmental Science (if AP Bio junior year)

So my question really is, if I am taking two other AP-level science courses, would it be acceptable to skip a New York State Regents-level Physics course in the eyes of prestigious college admissions officers (i.e. Ivy Leagues, Duke, etc.)?

I hope my question wasn’t too long! Thank you in advance!