Hey fellow juniors! I'm at a crossroads trying to decide if I should take physics next year. I'm not planning on going into anything related to physics in college, but will skipping it hurt my college applications, especially for selective schools?
Hello there! It's great to see you're thinking ahead about your course selections. Taking physics in high school isn't strictly required for all colleges, especially if you're not planning to pursue a major in STEM. However, selective schools often like to see that you've challenged yourself with rigorous courses across all the core subjects, including science.
Even if you're leaning towards the humanities or social sciences in college, having a schedule that includes all the sciences—biology, chemistry, and physics—can show a breadth of learning and a willingness to tackle different disciplines. If you're already taking other advanced courses in areas you're more passionate about, omitting physics might not be a significant issue, particularly if you've completed other sciences at a high level, like AP Chemistry or AP Biology.
Ultimately, you should balance your overall coursework to reflect both rigor and your academic interests. So, if physics will significantly impact your performance in areas you care more about, it might be reasonable to skip it. On the other hand, if you can handle the workload, taking physics could enhance the academic rigor of your transcript, which is a positive for admissions. Think about your entire high school curriculum holistically and choose courses that will keep you engaged and allow you to perform at your best.
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