DD 17 has a schedule conflict for her senior year. She was planning to take AP Physics C E&M, but it is only offered one period and her AP Bio and Veterinary Intern/Mentor periods lock her schedule in so there is no way to shift around to fit it in. Both AP Bio and the Intern/Mentor are more important to her than Physics, and with her heading toward a Bio/Chem Eng. undergrad with sights set on vet school, I concur with that assessment. Now comes the question of what should she take instead? Her current course list is:
AP Calc BC
AP Bio
English 12 Hon (already took AP, no point in doing the 2nd AP since most schools only accept one)
Lab assistant
Intern/Mentor (2 credits)
She's concerned about the "rigor" of her senior schedule, so wants to find an AP to fill the spot. I personally don't think she has anything to worry about in that arena; she has a 4.0 UW GPA, has taken 5 AP classes so far, and isn't shooting for any Ivy's -- her most selective schools will be Bucknell and Lehigh. That said, if she is heading into an engineering curriculum, it would be good for her to be exposed to the rest of physics not covered by the mechanics AP class before she gets there; so even taking Physics 2 AP would be helpful in that regard, I would think. Beyond that, my take is that she just find a class she'll enjoy (forget about the AP status) and call it done ... if she really wants an AP, then maybe AP Psych or AP Environmental Science.
But looking ahead, if the Physics 2 AP doesn't work either, is it important enough for her to be exposed to physics material before she gets there in an engineering curriculum to warrant taking it at the CC the summer after she graduates? At that point the credit would just transfer, and she wouldn't have to take it at whatever school she ends up attending. That approach might be helpful in the long run anyway because physics can act as a "weeder" class in large engineering schools, so she might have a better shot at getting a really good grade (critical for vet school apps) at CC.... AP test score for this year is TBD ... she felt like she did okay, though. So maybe that's the route she should take regardless (e.g., forget trying to fit physics in this year; just plan to take 2nd semester physics over the summer at the CC).
So, I know there are a lot of opinions out there ;-). Let's hear them.
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