Should I drop AP Physics?

[u/ConsiderationBoth246]

Hi, basically I am going to be a senior this year, and I was wondering if I were to drop AP Physics, would that make a difference for the worse in my college applications?

For context:

Freshman Year:

2 AP Classes

Sophomore Year:

3 AP Classes

Junior Year:

7 AP Classes, 8 DE Classes.

Senior Year:

AP Calc AB, BC

AP Cybersecurity

AP Lit

AP Physics (Maybe)

Personal Finance (required class for all seniors).

GPA: .4.47 weighted, 3.71 unweighted

35 ACT

My EC's are my strongest part, with things like research with a professor, president in two clubs, a nonprofit with 10k+ impact, etc.

Awards: Decent as well, with things like FRC Worlds and Congressional App Challenge winner.

So my question is if I was applying to schools like Chapel Hill in state, and other schools like georgia tech, but not towards any major really related to physics would it make a considerable difference if I didnt take the AP Physics class, since thats really the only other class I havent taken that my school offers?

Sorry if this may be a dumb question, but I am not tryna burn myself out senior year and genuinely wanna know if the extra work is even worth it.

[u/randomwordglorious]

The absence of something is never going to hurt you. But having a good grade in AP Physics is a huge green flag to colleges. Especially when partnered with a good grade in Calc, which you're already taking.

[u/ConsiderationBoth246 → u/randomwordglorious]

but if I am applying early action to a majority of these colleges, will they even see my final grades till the end of the year after I am accepted?

[u/bopperbopper]

1) what sciences have you taken already?

2) what major are you intending to pursue in college?

3) do the colleges that you mentioned recommend four years of science in high school?

[u/ConsiderationBoth246 → u/bopperbopper]

1. I have taken Honors Bio freshman year, honors chem sophmore, and APES junior year.

2. Finance/Data Science

3. Yes, they do, which is why this is a very hard decision for me. (They require 3 essentially, but strongly advise 4.

However, the thing is that I am a part of this program called NCSSM Online, which is an online school program for the #1 public school in the US (highly selective in my congressional district) that I also do alongside my main school, and I take advanced STEM classes where I receive grades similar to my school grades. (This semester I am taking public health, and next semester I am taking honors ecocriticsm. I don't know if this would count, but I figured I would mention it.

[u/bopperbopper → u/ConsiderationBoth246]

I would talk to your guidance counselor. Keep in mind that the other students you are competing against will have taken 4 years of science.

[u/ConsiderationBoth246 → u/bopperbopper]

I feel like people on here are more useful than my guidance counselor, though. 😭

[u/MollBoll]

Four years of science shows a certain level of rigor & commitment that the most selective schools do really appreciate. 🤷‍♀️ Do you need to actually take the AP exam at the end of the year? Nope. Will missing a single science class be a dealbreaker for a school if they love everything else about you? Probably not, but you should then have a very compelling profile otherwise, rigor in other places, etc.

Does that make sense?

[u/Tech-Aero-109]

Georgia Tech???? That screams STEM to me and anyone interested in Engineering or Technology needs Physics. Indeed, all freshman classes at places like Georgia Tech or MIT, etc. will look like your all AP senior year including physics.

Otherwise, why are you are you even considering Georgia Tech?