Is physics necessary to get into a top college?
I am a rising junior. Currently, I am signed up for Honors Ecology and Evolution as my science course for next year (my school does not do APs). My dean suggested that I should take physics, and said that if I do not take it next year, I should take it senior year. I do not have an interest in physics and don’t like math, but I would probably do well. If I took physics next year I would want to take honors physics–even though I am not interested in physics, I want to take the maximum number of honors classes I can: 5. Biology and environmental science is more what I am interested in–I am going to be Environmental Club President and Science Olympiad B Team President this year. Do I really need to take physics if I aim to attend a top college? If the answer is yes, I will. But I believe in following my passions and would rather take the class I like…
I intend to be a writer, artist or musician, if that’s relevant.
I agree with your dean. Competitive schools typically want to see a year of bio, chem, and physics.
Physics is part of a well-rounded high school curriculum. It would look better to have it for a more competitive college.
I think that this is exactly correct.
Also, if you are actually interested in ecology or environmental science, then some understanding of physics will be important.
You need three lab sciences at least, and usually those are biology, chemistry and physics.
For top colleges, I think they expect to see physics as one of your sciences.
Define top college ?
Can you without - absolutely.
Would it be better to have than not ?
Absolutely.
My daughter took APES as a third and no AP Bio and Chem. Got into W&L, UF and other not easy to get into schools.
I don’t know what you mean by tops but I sure you not everyone took physics.
But would it help ? Yes.
Wesleyan actually piblishes a stat related to this - * 79% have taken biology, chemistry and physics
If Physics isn’t something you want, then don’t. It’s a choice you make. It may or may not have consequences. If you take it and get a C, as an example, it might be better not to have.
Good luck but do what’s best for you. In the end, there will be great schools out there for you - you will make your success, not Wellesley instead of Willamette.
Good luck.
Do you need? No. Do most top colleges suggest? Yes. Many suggest a year of bio, chem, and physics, pales a 4th credit in an advanced science.
If there were truly a valid reason not to do so, (I don’t like physics isn’t a valid reason) then not taking physics might be overlooked assuming you’re not applying for engineering. However, “top colleges” look at rigor, and I’m not sure you can make a case for Honors Ecology and Evolution in place of physics.
Agree with the advice to take physics even if you don’t take honors.
My kids thought physics was the most fun of any class they took in HS. A great teacher helps a lot- but by the time you are done building catapults and knocking things down and figuring out why a bridge made of toothpicks stays up and a boat made out of used soda cans floats nicely down a river… you will have forgotten why you made a big deal out of taking physics.
You may seriously love physics. This has nothing to do with attending a top college, and everything to do with learning how buildings stay up and how airplanes take off and land and why a car that runs on gas is noisy but a car that runs on electricity is quiet. Musicians need physics- or at least the branch that deals with acoustics and sound. Artists need physics because the natural world runs on certain principals and interpreting that world (and imaginary worlds) depends on those principals. And writers of all kinds need physics. There would be fewer ignorant people in the world if there were more people who could accurately communicate things about the physical world in a way that everyone could understand.
Okay. I appreciate all the feedback. Follow up question: Does it make sense to take physics senior year? I am taking other challenging classes junior year so this could balance things out… Is there an advantage to taking it junior year?
It’s fine
Follow up - I notice you say you don’t like math. What math will you take Senior year ? How high will you get ?
Not sure why Human Ecology at all…
Just remember schedule wise you’ll be in better shape for a top school - whatever that is -but it doesn’t get you in.
There’s a lot more than a class schedule needed for entry to certain universities.
I am aware. I am strong in my extracurriculars as well. I am on track for Honors Calculus my senior year. It is equivalent to AP Calc AB, but there aren’t AP at my school.
Taking physics senior year would be fine – especially if it makes sense in terms of your overall schedule.
It might be easier if you take it senior year after you’ve had precalculus and some calculus!
If I do this, I won’t be disadvantaged in college admissions in anyway, correct?
No - it will be on your schedule.
You would potentially be disadvantaged if you had it on your apps and then dropped it or dropped it second semester.
This is the same with every class on your schedule.
And just to reiterate - it’s not required (physics) - it’s a nice to have and could make a difference at certain schools but it won’t necessarily.
Taking physics senior year should be just fine. If you have any concerns about your schedule, discuss with your dean.
I agree it is a good idea to take Physics at least once in HS, both for college preparation purposes and college admissions purposes, and that doing it senior year is fine.
I just wanted to note that there is usually a college Physics requirement for any sort of natural science major, including in the Life Sciences, because Physics is a foundational science.
I am not sure what you are thinking for college majors, and indeed you don’t have to know now. But this is one of the reasons that colleges on an exploratory model–which include many of the college people consider “top” colleges, or at least in their Arts & Sciences school–like to see HS Physics. It isn’t an arbitrary hoop they are making you jump through, it just helps them make sure you are prepared to do such majors if you end up interested in them.
Yes Ecology Jr year, Physics senior year is 100% fine for any top college.