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Courses in high school
A lot of colleges recommend that students take all three fundamentals of science (biology, chemistry, physics), however I'm looking into doing AP Biology instead of doing physics since biology is more related to my field of interest. Will that affect anything when I'm applying to college?
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Alexandra Carpenter
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Alexandra’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hi, Jessie!
SO funny you ask this, because I had the exact same question when I was in high school and scheduling my own AP courses 😁 I had received conflicting advice from different people I asked, so I totally understand why you asked this question. I also had a biology-related major, and had to choose between taking AP Biology or taking honors physics. I was told everything from “it doesn’t matter” all the way to “You’d better take physics, or you’re crazy!” Spoiler: I TOTALLY skipped physics, did AP Bio 1 & 2 instead, and it was a fantastic decision. However, your circumstance might be different, so please read on!
I’m not sure what your intended major is (Environmental science? Pre-med? Psychology?), so I’ll do my best to consider that in my advice here, because the answer to your question depends.
Generally speaking, colleges don’t highly value the completion of high school physics. Since high schools all teach it a little differently (and requirements vary by state anyways), colleges don’t really “trust” it to prepare you. AP/IB courses are standardized, which is why you get college credit for them — the college KNOWS what education you’re getting in that science. In other words, while it’s possible that high school physics will make you appear more well-rounded in science, it will not make or break your application to college if you skip it. What colleges really want to see is that you took 4 or more CORE science courses of any kind (Bio, Chem, Physics) throughout high school (this is true for math as well). In other words, if you would rather take AP Biology over physics (and your school permits it), you shouldn’t worry about it affecting your college applications. 🙂 If you’re going into a bio-related major, they probably just want to see that you didn’t skip science senior year so you could take Basket Weaving I & II…or some other goofy “fun” class in its place.
Now, if the major you’re planning on for college happens to be heavy in physics, you should consider the value high school physics will have in preparing you for the much more difficult college physics that you’ll be required to take. Several biology-related majors ARE physics-heavy, especially if you are thinking of doing pre-med (physics is on the MCAT). Bioengineering and biochemistry are the same way. In these cases, I would advise that you consider taking physics so you will be better prepared. Another thing you could do is skip physics, but make sure you take calculus (honors or AP). If your math skills are solid at that level, that will also help prepare you for college physics. Just don’t walk into college physics having taken neither, or you may really struggle. With physics, colleges tend to prefer you take *their* physics classes, so even AP physics is not always beneficial for certain people — it often won’t exempt you from your Physics for Majors classes, just from a Gen ed science or something less rigorous. Like I said, I don’t know what your chosen major is exactly, but I can clarify in the comments if you let me know. 🙂
In my case, I majored in psychology, and one of my minors was Biology. Ultimately, I passed on physics against the advice of MANY different teachers, and I did AP Bio instead. I LOVE bio to this day and math was really hard to balance for me in high school, so AP Bio was what I really wanted to take. I did 5 science courses total and none of them were physics 🤷🏻♀️But because I did really well on the AP Bio exam, I got exempted from 8 credits of Intro Bio for Majors that is required for all bio majors and minors. It meant that I completed my Biology minor in only 10 credits, which is SUPER fast (and cheaper!) I never needed physics for psych, so I made the right choice in high school for sure. It might not be the same for you, though, so definitely look into what college courses are required for your major. If you see physics or high-level math popping up a lot, you’re definitely not in the same situation that I was and should give more consideration to your choice.
For further advice, I would talk to alumni from your high school first (if you know any in your major.) Guidance counselors are okay but will not always be helpful here — they don’t always know what colleges prefer for certain majors. Be cautious talking to teachers…the math- or physics- related people tend to be a bit biased, and might make you feel like skipping physics is completely absurd (it’s not).
One last note — despite majoring in psychology, I took the most rigorous courses that were offered, one of them being a grad-level class on MRI during my third year. The first half of the class turned out to be quantum physics — seriously. It was mostly conceptual (not math), but insanely complex to wrap your head around. Despite having seen no physics until that moment, I survived!! It was probably the class I worked the hardest in, but was worth it. So in the end I did have to deal with a little physics 🤣 Hopefully that is a little reassuring!
I’m happy to follow up if you have more questions about this. I remember it being a big decision when I did course selection in high school!
Check around at different colleges to see if your major requires you to take college physics.
Get a good read on your math skills — how far will you have gotten by the time you graduate high school?
If you already have a good idea what colleges you might attend, see if AP Bio can exempt you from any courses in your major (or it may just count towards gen eds.) Intro Biology is often a “weed-out” course in college, so if you can avoid the stress, you might want to opt for AP Bio. At my college, it was common to not pass Intro Bio on the first try (expensive to retake!)
If you are doing any pre-med track, seriously consider taking high school physics.
If you have the space in your high school schedule, you could take both physics AND AP Bio, but don’t sacrifice things you care about in order to make room (like if you’ve been doing band, orchestra, choir, or art for years and enjoy those things!!)
SO funny you ask this, because I had the exact same question when I was in high school and scheduling my own AP courses 😁 I had received conflicting advice from different people I asked, so I totally understand why you asked this question. I also had a biology-related major, and had to choose between taking AP Biology or taking honors physics. I was told everything from “it doesn’t matter” all the way to “You’d better take physics, or you’re crazy!” Spoiler: I TOTALLY skipped physics, did AP Bio 1 & 2 instead, and it was a fantastic decision. However, your circumstance might be different, so please read on!
I’m not sure what your intended major is (Environmental science? Pre-med? Psychology?), so I’ll do my best to consider that in my advice here, because the answer to your question depends.
Generally speaking, colleges don’t highly value the completion of high school physics. Since high schools all teach it a little differently (and requirements vary by state anyways), colleges don’t really “trust” it to prepare you. AP/IB courses are standardized, which is why you get college credit for them — the college KNOWS what education you’re getting in that science. In other words, while it’s possible that high school physics will make you appear more well-rounded in science, it will not make or break your application to college if you skip it. What colleges really want to see is that you took 4 or more CORE science courses of any kind (Bio, Chem, Physics) throughout high school (this is true for math as well). In other words, if you would rather take AP Biology over physics (and your school permits it), you shouldn’t worry about it affecting your college applications. 🙂 If you’re going into a bio-related major, they probably just want to see that you didn’t skip science senior year so you could take Basket Weaving I & II…or some other goofy “fun” class in its place.
Now, if the major you’re planning on for college happens to be heavy in physics, you should consider the value high school physics will have in preparing you for the much more difficult college physics that you’ll be required to take. Several biology-related majors ARE physics-heavy, especially if you are thinking of doing pre-med (physics is on the MCAT). Bioengineering and biochemistry are the same way. In these cases, I would advise that you consider taking physics so you will be better prepared. Another thing you could do is skip physics, but make sure you take calculus (honors or AP). If your math skills are solid at that level, that will also help prepare you for college physics. Just don’t walk into college physics having taken neither, or you may really struggle. With physics, colleges tend to prefer you take *their* physics classes, so even AP physics is not always beneficial for certain people — it often won’t exempt you from your Physics for Majors classes, just from a Gen ed science or something less rigorous. Like I said, I don’t know what your chosen major is exactly, but I can clarify in the comments if you let me know. 🙂
In my case, I majored in psychology, and one of my minors was Biology. Ultimately, I passed on physics against the advice of MANY different teachers, and I did AP Bio instead. I LOVE bio to this day and math was really hard to balance for me in high school, so AP Bio was what I really wanted to take. I did 5 science courses total and none of them were physics 🤷🏻♀️But because I did really well on the AP Bio exam, I got exempted from 8 credits of Intro Bio for Majors that is required for all bio majors and minors. It meant that I completed my Biology minor in only 10 credits, which is SUPER fast (and cheaper!) I never needed physics for psych, so I made the right choice in high school for sure. It might not be the same for you, though, so definitely look into what college courses are required for your major. If you see physics or high-level math popping up a lot, you’re definitely not in the same situation that I was and should give more consideration to your choice.
For further advice, I would talk to alumni from your high school first (if you know any in your major.) Guidance counselors are okay but will not always be helpful here — they don’t always know what colleges prefer for certain majors. Be cautious talking to teachers…the math- or physics- related people tend to be a bit biased, and might make you feel like skipping physics is completely absurd (it’s not).
One last note — despite majoring in psychology, I took the most rigorous courses that were offered, one of them being a grad-level class on MRI during my third year. The first half of the class turned out to be quantum physics — seriously. It was mostly conceptual (not math), but insanely complex to wrap your head around. Despite having seen no physics until that moment, I survived!! It was probably the class I worked the hardest in, but was worth it. So in the end I did have to deal with a little physics 🤣 Hopefully that is a little reassuring!
I’m happy to follow up if you have more questions about this. I remember it being a big decision when I did course selection in high school!
Alexandra, CareerVillage.org Team recommends the following next steps:
Updated
John’s Answer
I think it is OK to choose the AP biology over physics, but do keep in mind that a broad understanding of scientific principles all contribute to one another. I.E. understanding physics can help with chemistry and biology. That being said, you can pick up the principles of physics in your own reading and I would then urge you to take at least one physics class in college.
Ruby Baker
Customer Service / Business Administration / Medical Billing
4
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Ruby’s Answer
Hi Jessie! I would research your major (AP Biology) and look into the specific course requirements per school. That will tell you the course curriculum and help you determine the best fit. Contact the Dean/Department Head at the schools of your choosing once you've narrowed down the list. You may find more schools that are willing to work with you which can help with your decision making.
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
A student’s mind and basic understanding of fundamental science will be enhanced by a tour of all three AP fundamental science courses, physics, chemistry, and biology. This is probably the reason for the recommendation by many colleges.
If your field of interest is in biology, AP biology should be the most important course for you. On the other hand, fundamental knowledge in physics and chemistry can add value to your future pursuit in the field of biology. For example, you may need college courses in biochemistry for your specific biological field. Or you may be interested in a new field of biology, biophysics, where knowledge of physics will be needed.
By the way, I did take courses in physics, chemistry, and biology in high school over half a century ago. Even though my career is in physical science, my knowledge in biology turns out to be helpful later on in my life, especially in taking care of my own health. It is good to acquire a wide range of knowledge after all.
If your field of interest is in biology, AP biology should be the most important course for you. On the other hand, fundamental knowledge in physics and chemistry can add value to your future pursuit in the field of biology. For example, you may need college courses in biochemistry for your specific biological field. Or you may be interested in a new field of biology, biophysics, where knowledge of physics will be needed.
By the way, I did take courses in physics, chemistry, and biology in high school over half a century ago. Even though my career is in physical science, my knowledge in biology turns out to be helpful later on in my life, especially in taking care of my own health. It is good to acquire a wide range of knowledge after all.