Is high school physics necessary for college admissions?

[Anonymous]

My DC has been advised to take Geosystems instead of physics junior year. DC’s strengths are in the humanities, not math/science, so I understand why he was advised in this manner. I’m wondering if not taking Physics will place him at a disadvantage in college admissions. Anyone BTDT?

[Anonymous]

It will place him at a disadvantage if he’s going for a top 50-ish/very selective university. They’re looking for kids to take the most rigorous coursework available at their HS’s and that would include physics. If he’s applying outside the top 50, especially to a major that doesn’t require college physics or only requires non-lab physics for non-science majors - liberal arts/humanities, communications, art, music, business, etc. - it likely won’t hurt him. But his weighted GPA might end up being a little lower if Physics is an AP class and Geosystems is not. But if he didn’t do well in Physics, even if it was an AP class, that would hurt his GPA a lot more. It’s definitely a tough decision.

[Anonymous]

At my son's private high school, physics is a requirement that must be taken either in junior or senior year. You cannot graduate without physics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC has been advised to take Geosystems instead of physics junior year. DC’s strengths are in the humanities, not math/science, so I understand why he was advised in this manner. I’m wondering if not taking Physics will place him at a disadvantage in college admissions. Anyone BTDT?[/quote
At TJ, Geosystems is required for graduation and it just be taken at TJ, and not online. If your kid is not at TJ, then physics won’t matter if she plans to major in humanities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC has been advised to take Geosystems instead of physics junior year. DC’s strengths are in the humanities, not math/science, so I understand why he was advised in this manner. I’m wondering if not taking Physics will place him at a disadvantage in college admissions. Anyone BTDT?[/quote
At TJ, Geosystems is required for graduation and it just be taken at TJ, and not online. If your kid is not at TJ, then physics won’t matter if she plans to major in humanities.

And physics is a requirement for graduation.

[Anonymous]

Take Dual Enrollment instead of AP if that is an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC has been advised to take Geosystems instead of physics junior year. DC’s strengths are in the humanities, not math/science, so I understand why he was advised in this manner. I’m wondering if not taking Physics will place him at a disadvantage in college admissions. Anyone BTDT?

If he plans to study humanities in college and he applies to the best colleges for him and his interests -- as opposed to whatever list of colleges DCUM deems "prestigious" -- he will be fine. Not sure? Talk with the counselor. It's what they're there for.

Re: graduating from HS: OP, what is "required to graduate" at other posters' kids' high schools means nothing. If physics is not required to graduate from YOUR son's HS is all you need to worry about on that front. Sounds like it's not required for graduation or the counselor would not be telling him to take geosystems in its place.

Our very humanities-based kid took no HS physics and got into the desired college with no problem. Dont get wrapped up in the "top" numbers etc. like most of DCUM. Make sure your son is taking the most rigorous available classes but that does not necessarily mean one of those has to be physics.

[Anonymous]

Taking Geosystems instead of physics will absolutely knock you off track for a top college. You may not care, but that’s the way it is.

[Anonymous]

Not as bad as not talking Calculus but yes, looks bad to top colleges.

[Anonymous]

My hunch is this recommendation comes after a series of less than stellar grades in the other science classes?

If that is the case, then this is what will be keeping your child out of a top school.

It is probably ok to skip physics, depending on what is taken instead.

[Anonymous]

MCPS does not require physics to graduate, and you can take AP Environmental Science instead. If your child is excelling in humanities, and taking rigorous courses there, no need to suffer through physics.

You can look at a few schools under the Common Data Set and see what they require (some 3 years of science, some 4, some 3 years plus one lab, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my son's private high school, physics is a requirement that must be taken either in junior or senior year. You cannot graduate without physics.

Which private? My kid is at GDS. Just checked and physics is not required. Lots of insanely advanced math and science available, but physics isn't required. And for all independents in DC, no more APs in any subject after this year.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for all the thoughtful and informative replies. Lots of food for thought!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for all the thoughtful and informative replies. Lots of food for thought!

OP - the people saying that Physics is required by elite schools are wrong. Top schools expect four years of rigorous science. My DS took Biology, AP Chem, AP Bio and APES and got admitted to Rice last year. Have your DS follow his interests and be able to articulate them.

[Anonymous]

It looks good to take physics even for a humanities kid. Doesn’t have to be AP physics. If the kid is capable of getting a B in physics which is not that hard in HS, then take it. I know a few kids at top universities in the humanities who took AP Physics, used a tutor to get a high grade in the class and then cancelled their AP score or didn’t submit it because they knew they wouldn’t get a 4 or 5. If kid is interested in top 30 colleges, I would take the physics.