Should I take AP Physics 1? [instead of regular physics; also graphic design 3 versus French 3]

Pre-College Topics High School Life
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I am a junior in high school. I originally was going to take CP Physics (my school only offers CP or AP Physics), but due to a scheduling conflict, I can’t take French 3. This may not sound like a big deal but I know three years of a language is recommended, and I might not take it senior year (my planned senior year schedule is AP Lit, AP Stats or AP Calc AB, CP Gov/Econ, AP Studio Art, and AP Psych).

Right now, I am taking Photo/Design instead. I don’t want it to look as though I dropped French for a random elective, so I’ve been thinking about increasing my rigor this year.

I am currently taking English 3 H, Pre-Calc H, Physics, US History, Graphic Design 3, and Photo/Design.

The only APs I can take are AP Physics 1 and AP US History, but I find history boring and am not good at debates. I wanted to take AP Psychology to replace Photo/Design, but all the classes are full. So, I’ve been thinking about taking AP Physics 1, but I’ve heard it is extremely difficult. I’ve also only taken Biology and Chemistry H.

I have a 4.0 UW and a 4.6 W, but I know rigor is more important than a 4.0 UW. I also go to a pretty competitive public high school, so they offer a lot of APs and most students take them.

I also haven’t taken any APs (only all of the honors classes my school offers) because I only wanted to take APs that are interesting and related to my planned major, business/marketing. However, I don’t want it to look as though I only realized APs were important senior year.

I am a CA resident and plan on applying to CSUs and UCs.

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You can do two for both CSU and UC but three would be better and give you more flexibility - help you reach into higher tier UCs.

What’s the block ? In many ways, I’d move it for French. Taking a year off isn’t palatable.

How many sciences will you have b4 graduating if you don’t take AP this year ? You need two but like language, three is better.

Does the photo design cover your fine arts requirement ?

As for business, your options at UC are limited since few offer it so - it’s likely ok - you’ll find a home and I don’t know your overall profile - but it may not be the UC / CSU home you want.

You needn’t match an AP or activities to a major.

I’d figure out how to take French, especially since it sounds like Physics is out of your wheelbase, but you’ll likely have a shot at UCR or some CSUs at a minimum. Or OOS schools like ASU or U of A with enough merit to get costs down.

So you plan to take the SAT/ACT? That can help if you pivot to non CA state schools.

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What conflicts with French 3?

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Graphic Design 3

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Do you consider graphic design 3 to be more important than French 3, especially since you already have another art course (photo/design) and intend a non art major for college?

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Take French - it will make you more competitive.

Take that another year or in college.

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Regarding UCs and CSUs, both require a minimum of level 2 language other than English for admission, but:

  • UCs recommend level 3. In addition, they often have foreign language graduation requirements, so having a higher level in high school may allow fulfilling them in fewer courses in college by placing into a level higher than beginner level.
  • Among CSUs, CPSLO gives bonus points for additional language other than English beyond the minimum, but most others do not give admission advantage for more. CSUs generally do not have foreign language graduation requirements unless foreign language is needed for the major.
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Three (Biology, Chemistry H, and Physics (Physics is a requirement, so I’ll still take it even if I don’t do AP)).

Yes, but I don’t need any more credits because I’ve already taken Graphic Design 1 and 2.

Yes, I’m taking it this October.

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So you are considering outside of CA schools.

Take French.

The other may interest you but it offers little utility for college admission.

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I mostly just find it more interesting

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Which ones (specifically) are you targeting?

Are you also planning to apply to other schools (private or OOS)?

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You don’t want to skip a year of language. Besides UCs and CSUs, who are on your list ?

Just know that if you don’t take French, you may limit possible colleges. If you’re ok with that, then fine.

But depending on your list, it may ultimately help or be required.

Graphic Design won’t so you can take it but know what you’re potentially giving up in exchange.

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Agree…take French 3 rather than Graphic Design.

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I’m mainly targeting CSUF, CSULB, and UCR

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Does it offer any value by being a CTE pathway?

I don’t think I’ll apply to private schools. I’m still unsure if I’ll apply to OOS schools, but I’m taking the SAT to keep my options open.

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UCR business has a foreign language requirement (3rd quarter or 2nd semester college level). High school year 3 may or may not be at that level, depending on the high school; high school year 2 is very unlikely to be at that level.

It does not look like CSULB, CSU Fresno, or CSU Fullerton have foreign language as a general education or business major requirement.

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Run the NPC on a few private colleges - are any of these affordable? (Each college calculates differently so you need to do it on every one of them)

https://lmu.clearcostcalculator.com/student

You might also be interested in these special programs:

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My price range is more around $25,000 a year

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Have you actually run the NPC on each college?
Don’t go by sticker price because very very few students actually pay that.

You don’t get to decide how much you’ll pay - the college does and each NPC provides an example of what you specifically would pay at that college (they may ask about your parents’ I come&assets, your grades..) Some may be under 20k net price, some may be 45k.. or all may be 45k and you’re stuck if you didn’t run the NPC beforehand.

For some students, 25k might be the most that their parents might be able to afford and for others it could be an amount they decided on but could afford more… Anyway, run the NPCs on all these colleges :grinning_face::crossed_fingers:

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If you live on campus and depending on family finances, Cal Schools may not work.

Don’t forget, you have access to WUE schools, some of which would hit budget but are not in So Cal like it seems you want.

Given your restrictions financially, I’m guessing your desired plan will work but it’s still an unnecessary class that will limit you in some regards - but doesn’t seem like those places where it would be limiting are in your desired view anyway.

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