Taking Algebra 2 over the summer and AP physics 1 with no experience

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You have ambitious academic goals, which is commendable. Taking 4 AP classes and skipping Algebra 2 to take Precalculus/Trigonometry is challenging, but it can be done if you're motivated and willing to put in the extra effort. As for taking Algebra 2 over the summer, if you can commit to it and dedicate the necessary time, you may learn the material. Self-studying physics may also be possible, but it's essential to be realistic about your ability to understand the material and manage your time effectively. I began learning more by myself when I discovered https://plainmath.net/textbooks/8-calculus-graphical-numerical-algebrai because here I find answers to complicated math exercises with graphical, numerical, and algebraic calculus. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but if you feel overwhelmed or unable to keep up, don't hesitate to seek help or reassess your plan.

Hello, senior here.

I took honors algebra 2 as a sophomore and honors precal as a junior. Algebra 2 was heavily focused on graphing and variables. Precalculus felt like a continuation of alg 2. In precal, we did factoring, radicals, transformations of graphs, functions, some dimensional analysis, and finally trig but heavily graph-based. In my opinion, alg 2 was really helpful as it set me up for precal. Everything felt like a review, except for the trig part.

I'm assuming you're taking precal and physics within the same year, or at least precal first if it's the prerequisite. In my opinion, I believe you should take algebra 2 over the summer. If you kept your algebra 1 notes, they should be able to help you. This might differ based on state standards, but in alg 2, we covered asymptotes, factoring with radicals and imaginary numbers, logarithms and exponentials, dividing polynomials, and inverse functions. All of this is expanded upon in precal.

I took Honors Differential Calculus last semester with 5 peers taking Honors Physics (in my school AP classes are year long but split so that the first semester is labeled "honors" and the second "AP". Basically you take honors first and continue/drop depending on your liking.)

When we covered units 2 - 4 in calc, those peers, who are now taking AP Physics, were already familiar with the content. In calc, a lot of things are derivative heavy. Derivatives and deriving will be easier if you have a solid grasp of functions and graphing, emphasis on graphing b/c in physics, position, velocity, acceleration, and jerk are all demonstrated on graphs.

That being said, ask your math department and school counselors for their opinions. They've probably worked with many students that have aspirations just like yours and may offer better solutions or a workaround.

I took Algebra 2 as a freshman in high school and found it ridiculously easy since the work seemed to be so repetitive. We spent a lot of time on quadratic equations. However, Geometry was my favorite course and I thought it was by far the easiest out of the two. Since you are used to self-studying, I don't see why you wouldn't succeed in Algebra 2. However, I do feel like your plans are a bit rushed.

I also want to go into medical school and I'm a dual credit student, but I decided to stay far away from those advanced math classes and focus on the basics. Though it might not sound wise to you now, when I graduate this year I'll have saved myself two years of college by sticking to the lower-level courses instead of rushing into the advanced math and science courses.

What degree do you want? What classes does this degree require you to take? What AP classes does your school offer? Does the college you plan to go to accept AP credit? For what classes would these credits apply to? You need to consider all of that before diving neck deep into a lot of math classes and science classes.