<p>LongPrime - Your S sounds like a very talented person! I personally think like you do but keep in mind in giving advise that the college “market” is very different than even 5 years ago. What would have sufficed a few years back doesn’t cut it now. In the last year or so I have seen top HS students (advanced physics, math, top ACT, SATs, etc.) turned away from places like CMU. Not taking AP physics if offered by the HS would not be considered a good thing - and repeating it if need be (some engineering programs will not even accept 4s now) will be one less stressful class.</p>