Do I Need Physics? Honors? AP?

I’m a sophomore in high school who plans to study International Business or International Marketing in college. My planned schedule for next year was AP Lang, AP Comparative Gov, AP Calc AB, and AP Bio. I went back and forth between Calc AB and BC for a while before finally settling on AB. My planned senior year schedule was AP Stats, AP Psych, AP Econ, APES, and AP Lit.

Though I have always been in the highest class, I have always struggled with math, yet I have always felt the need to be excel as much as possible. I set this aside by electing to take Calc AB next year.

I’ve had some concerns, however, about not taking physics at all. I talked to a college counselor at my school, who advised me to take physics since I hoped to get into selective colleges, despite it having nothing to do with my major. My new plan is to take AP Bio instead of APES senior year, and take physics instead of AP Bio next year. I’m wondering if I should take Honors or AP Physics, and if I take Honors, should I go with Calc BC to ensure my schedule displays rigor to colleges? Taking both Calc AB and Honors Physics when there are higher options available makes me feel very disappointed in myself. And do I really need to take physics?

Thoughts & recommendations appreciated! Thank you!

Have 3 science. Preferably four for selective. I see AP bio and apes. Do u have chem ?

Calc AB in 11th is many years ahead. It’s ahead in 12th. You might decide BC then if the school allows a double. Or stats.

But you’ll be fine.

Btw - the best /top schools in your major aren’t necessarily the most selective.

But I think you are fine here. A lot will depend on your SAT/ACT assuming it’s not test blind schools that interest you.

Good luck.

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Many colleges look for students to complete a sequence of bio, chem, and physics in HS. Not every class taken needs to be at the AP level. You can discuss with your guidance counselor, but I expect honors physics is absolutely fine.

Separately, have you completed 3 or 4 years of foreign language?

For more context, I have already taken Biology and Honors Chemistry

Most selective schools want to see a year of bio, chem and physics and then one of those at an AP level. Since you aren’t planning on being a STEM major, honors physics is fine.

Is there a reason you are taking AP calc junior year instead of senior year? At my D’s HS they recommended taking stats junior year and calc senior year.

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Department had me skip French 2, I will have taken 3 years of language in school plus an AP French self-study sr year

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@momofboiler1 Precalc → Calc is the recommended path at my school

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At our HS the highest math track ends with BC calc senior year, AB is a prerequisite junior year. My daughter took AP stat as elective sophomore year.

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Every school is different. I didn’t know you could take AB and then BC til on here people mentioned. That was not our high school.

As for an IB major, U of SC and FIU are typically ratedtops for international business. IU Kelley is a top B school with not top requirements. GW and American have great programs as does Temple. One doesn’t need to be a rigid home run at any - and you have tons.

I think it goes back to - strain yourself but don’t crush yourself. You have lots of rigor and top schools in the major, stat depending, will be in reach.

Budget will be something else to look at. Do you have $400k or $200k for school. Or less ? A question to ask your folks.