Physics won't phit.

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SowerofBabble

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My son has not taken Physics. We are a military family and moved between by son's sophomore and junior year of hs. Because of our new state's graduation requirements and the fact that he is an IB candidate, he simply can't fit Physics into his schedule. GPA and standardized test scores are very competitive. He will have taken 16 AP or IB classes at graduation, everything else is Honors. He took Honors Biology as a freshman, Honors Chemistry as a sophomore, and is in the 2 year sequence of IB Biology (for college credit as he is ultimately interested in medicine). He will take AP Computer Science next year to satisfy a state tech requirement.

In speaking with his counselor, he has three options. He can A) Let it ride and hope that his lack of taking Physics won't hurt him in the admissions process, B) Take Intro to Physics this summer at our local Community College as an online course. Note: All CC courses are online at this time, so no lab component. Also, this will show up on his transcript as a semester's credit, not a year, or C) Take an online, self-paced Honors Physics class over the summer through an online academy high school for a full year's credit. Ultimately, the choice is his, but I'd like him to make the most educated decision that he can.

I've surfed and searched these boards enough to know that kids do get admitted without taking Physics, but it is not a preferred path. What would you advise if this was your kid or mentee?
 
We are doing the community college option over the summer. It was the best choice for my daughter. If nothing else, it will give her the base of knowledge she will need when she gets to a college physics class.
 
Speaking from my experience (as an accepted cadet candidate for 2024) it is far more important your son finds challenging leadership and growth opportunities. I actually didn't realize AP Chem or Physics was a requirement until partway through my junior year and had to scramble and take AP Chem my senior year. Initially, I thought that this would seriously impact my admissions decisions but this was not the case.

I realized that with the additional time I had in my Junior year, I was able to invest myself in the programs I was involved in to a much higher degree since I had more time. If your son is fully able to manage (what sounds like) an incredibly busy course load with Physics on top of it all, then more power to him. Just remember that he needs to appear well rounded in front of the admissions board.

One other thing to mention, my admissions representative told me this past summer while selecting my senior year course load that West Point values Chemistry over Physics. The fact that he has already taken it puts him in a pretty good spot. Weigh your options and figure out what makes sense for your situation, but my lack of a physics class did not affect my admissions decision.

Best of luck to your son!
 
You had me at "He will have taken 16 AP or IB classes at graduation" - Yes, it is preferred, but in context of the whole person, this it sounds as if he is quite solid academically. Some schools dont offer IB. Take the hardest classes he can manage and get the best grades possible. The rest will take care of itself.
 
I took physics for this first time at West Point, so did many of the people in my PH205 class. He will be fine.
 
It would be great if he could take it online this summer, and it will be enough. IB Programs are tough (two years for one class). If he has strong grades in his other math and science upper level classes, he will shine.
Someone said, 'Your kid cannot get into West Point if he had not taken an American History class.' We were stationed in South and South East Asia, and the only History was IB History HL. There was no American History option.
Just keep doing his best--and he will be fine. (It will also give him something to talk about with his RC.)
 
Nailbird said:
Speaking from my experience (as an accepted cadet candidate for 2024) it is far more important your son finds challenging leadership and growth opportunities. I actually didn't realize AP Chem or Physics was a requirement until partway through my junior year and had to scramble and take AP Chem my senior year. Initially, I thought that this would seriously impact my admissions decisions but this was not the case.

I realized that with the additional time I had in my Junior year, I was able to invest myself in the programs I was involved in to a much higher degree since I had more time. If your son is fully able to manage (what sounds like) an incredibly busy course load with Physics on top of it all, then more power to him. Just remember that he needs to appear well rounded in front of the admissions board.

One other thing to mention, my admissions representative told me this past summer while selecting my senior year course load that West Point values Chemistry over Physics. The fact that he has already taken it puts him in a pretty good spot. Weigh your options and figure out what makes sense for your situation, but my lack of a physics class did not affect my admissions decision.

Best of luck to your son!
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I did not know AP Chem or Physics was a requirement. I've only seen that it is highly encouraged as a course. Where did you see that it was required? (not saying youre wrong, Im just curious as to where you saw it)
 
Hopeful2025 said:
I did not know AP Chem or Physics was a requirement. I've only seen that it is highly encouraged as a course. Where did you see that it was required? (not saying youre wrong, Im just curious as to where you saw it)
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You are required to have 4 teacher recommendations, and one of them must be from either a chemistry or a physics teacher. They don't have to be AP classes.
 
boxmm24 said:
You are required to have 4 teacher recommendations, and one of them must be from either a chemistry or a physics teacher. They don't have to be AP classes.
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Oh really? As far as i knew it was 2 and from a math/english teacher. That was for USNA and i guess i must have assumed the same for USMA. Thanks for pointing that out.
 
Yes. We just watched a USMA Admissions briefing on FB a few minutes ago. 4 letters from English teacher, Math teacher, Chem or Physics teacher, and PE teacher recs are req'd.
 
The PE teacher one stands out. No high school that we've ever been involved with requires PE after sophomore year. Many kids on this track won't have the extra credit hours to take more PE than is required.
 
SowerofBabble said:
The PE teacher one stands out. No high school that we've ever been involved with requires PE after sophomore year. Many kids on this track won't have the extra credit hours to take more PE than is required.
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It can also be a past PE teacher, health teacher, or athletic director if need be. When the portal opens these positions should show up as options, and it gives a list with the order of preference as to who fills it out (I believe it’s 1. PE teacher, 2. Health, 3. Athletic director, but don’t quote me on that)
 
SowerofBabble said:
The PE teacher one stands out. No high school that we've ever been involved with requires PE after sophomore year. Many kids on this track won't have the extra credit hours to take more PE than is required.
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It’s not limited to the typical PE teacher, per say, but rather any athletic coach. My cross country coach filled out that rec.
 
"but rather any athletic coach."
This may be true today, however, it didn't used to be so, the person actually had to hold the position of PE teacher, as many coaches in our area are not actually employed as a PE teacher. Some even volunteer. This was a few years ago, but it did affect my DS when it was his time to test. He actually went to school officials and asked who usually gave the official tests and they had one PE teacher who did it regularly because they knew the process and evaluation methods. Good to follow the current specifics. YMMV.
 
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