My D is selecting classes for senior year and wants to major in the biological sciences so wants AP bio, but that schedule won’t allow physics. GPA is 4.6+ and otherwise she has taken all AP classes available (english, history, etc) and participated in tons of volunteer, clubs, and sports as well. I’m worried that not taking physics may hurt her chances at higher ranked schools (like 2nd tier).
D24 was accepted at many good schools with similar set up–HL Bio and no physics.
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See this thread:
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Has she taken a non-AP bio class and no physics at all? If so, I’d recommend she take physics.
Admissions chances aside, since it’s so crucial to understand the fundamentals, many bio majors repeat introductory biology even if they’ve passed the AP test. Most bio majors are also required to take physics. That can be a difficult class and it really does help to have prior exposure to the material.
I took honors chem, bio, and physics in HS, but not APs. That prepared me very well for my bio major. I’ve taught plenty of bio majors who were well-prepared by their AP bio classes, and plenty who were not, so it varies greatly by individual.
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What do you consider second tier? Just out of curiosity.
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Yes to honors Bio, but no physics at all. That is why I’m concerned.
She should take Physics (honors = good overview of the subject) in addition to either AP Bio or AP Chem because it’s an important field of knowledge for all, because she should at least learn what it’s about since she likes science, and because it’s necessary for STEM majors&it’s really not a subject you want to encounter for the 1st time in college, when it’s likely to have higher stakes wrt major choices, college GPA…
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Biology majors and pre-med students need to take physics in college. It may not be a pleasant experience competing for A grades if that is the student’s first exposure to physics against other students who have had high school physics before.
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The thing is, she only has senior year left. Are you suggesting both AP Bio and physics both together in the same year? She will have other AP classes as well, will that be too much?
The other option is a summer physics class geared for HS. The problem there is that it’s 6 weeks and there is travel planned later in the summer. One option to deal with that is only take the first 3-week session, which I was thinking is better than nothing.
Or, skip AP bio senior year since already had honors bio and do physics instead. Thoughts?
What does the rest of the schedule look like?
Other AP courses are not all the same in workload, so it depends on which ones.
The other thing is, is she likely to be pre-med? If pre-med, being prepared enough to earn an A grade in physics and all other courses is more important than if not pre-med.
I’d go with physics and skip AP bio. She’s HAD bio. Every STEM major will encounter “the big three” in college- bio, chem, physics. Building a strong foundation is more important than advancing right now IMHO.
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I would also encourage physics over AP bio.
I am not sure what schools are ‘Tier 2’, but for every thread where someone questions the need for HS physics, I show the Wesleyan data (they are the only school who shows this AFAIK.)
Profile of Students Offered Admission for Fall 2023
- HS Preparation:
- 85% have taken calculus
- 80% have taken biology, chemistry and physics
- 78% have a fourth year (or equivalent) of one foreign language
So, 80% of admitted students had taken BCP in HS, and Wesleyan is not known to be “STEM-y” (although they have very good STEM offerings). As I said, most schools aren’t transparent with this data point, but if Wesleyan has this high of a rate of BCP in HS, I expect similar colleges have similar preferences (but we can’t know for sure.)
ETA: Has your D asked her HS college counselor what she should take next year?
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Definitely have her take physics. I have been told by a college advisor that colleges are looking for a physics class on the transcript.
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