Do I really need AP Physics?

Pre-College Topics High School Cafe
1

So I’m planning to major in marine biology in college. I’m not applying to any super prestigious schools, most have acceptance rates over 50%. My GPA is around a 4.0. My top choice is Eckerd College.

I took AP Physics this year (senior year) and I absolutely hate it. I don’t enjoy the subject matter and struggle with the math. I did poorly on all of the tests this marking period, no matter how much I’d studied. This is the first time that this is happening to me and it’s really struck me down. I took Physics I last year so I at least have one physics course under my belt.

So, my question is, should I drop AP Physics? Will colleges care that I didn’t take it even though I’ll be a bio major? The rigor of my APs is still strong, I also took AP Eng, AP Gov, AP Calc, and AP Chem. Last year I took Nuclear and Organic Chem, AP Bio, APUSH (scored 5) and Physics I.

I just keep going back and forth with the fact that it will help me with college physics classes (but I’d never be able to pass the AP test to get credits), but then I feel as though I’m making my senior year too hard on myself and should focus on the classes I excel in and enjoy.

2

Do you have one each of bio, chem, and physics? Have you taken either AP bio or AP Chem?
If the answer to both questions is “yes”, then you don’t need to take AP Physics this year. Take a “fun” class, whatever your high school offers that you won’t be able to take again, like Current Events or drawing or Shop or Stage tech… (DO NOT replace physics with a study hall)

Marine Bio is a lot of chemistry too, with some physics thrown in. You don’t need to take AP Physics for admission but keep in mind you’ll need to take it next year - perhaps when some more math concepts have sunk in?

Are you applying to College of Charleston and UNC-Wilmington? Both have very good honors colleges.