High school Physics or not? For a prospective Journalism college major

Question

Hello! I am going into my senior year of high school and am torn between taking honors physics or dropping it for an open block--where seniors can stay home for their first period which is 78 minutes--since I took AP Enviro Science last year as my science course instead. I am going into journalism as a major and I have been told that physics is still essential no matter what to boost college admission chances, but I don't want to push myself too much in my senior year, especially after hearing that our honors physics is time-consuming and stress-inducing with its difficulty (I am not a science or math person either). Almost everyone I know has an open block and I feel like it would be a great opportunity to catch up on sleep or work since I always feel that I need that extra time, but I do not want to risk my chances of getting into any colleges by not taking it.

My top schools are Emerson College (liberal arts), Syracuse University (New House Communications School), Boston University, Fordham University, and maybe Columbia. I took 2 APs last year, and 3 APs this year (Spanish, Lit, Government), and I am enrolled in regular calculus. I was considering dropping down to regular physics instead of honors but I feel like I may not be challenging myself enough (considering that I'm taking regular calculus already) and that I should take honors if I genuinely plan on sacrificing my desired open block for physics.



I am getting mixed answers from websites and my school counselor, so I just want some insight from here to see what you guys think.

Answer 1

Hi Isabella,

I agree with Robin's suggestion that you explore the admission specifics of each college/university that you are applying to. Once you have obtained these specifics, you'll likely feel better informed and, therefore, more confident that your decision to take honors physics, or not, is the best choice for you. Best of luck as you continue your pathway to academic success.

Best regards,

Jill V

Answer 2

Hi Isabella!

Oh my, what an exciting and eventful time in your life. I vividly remember my senior year of high school. So many decisions and memories to make, all while looking ahead for the future. Huge!

I am not sure what sort of mixed advice you've heard, but mine may actually differ quite a bit from what has already been said to you. Please bear in mind however that only you truly know what is best for you. I just wanted to offer my own personal perspective as both a college counseling tutor and a former over-achieving high school senior like yourself.

1. When it comes down to deciding how best to spend your time your senior year of school, I think it is important to consider your life as a whole, rather than trying to make a decision based off one element of college admissions requirements.

You are not just a resumé or list of accomplishments on a piece of paper, you are also a person! It is equally if not more important in my experience to make sure that you are building a well-rounded life. This includes making sure to take breaks from intense academics, spending time with family and friends, and giving yourself breathing space to make sure you can do your absolute best in the classes you are already taking. You don't want to burn out, especially leading up to college – college is tough!

My advice would be to cultivate balance in your life sooner rather than later. College admissions is not all about what is on your transcript. It is also about showing the admissions counselors who you are outside of academics, and taking one fewer classes may end up being the right move for those reasons.

1. Now, for a counter-point to that... When I was applying to college, I made a short list of the schools I was most interested in applying to (just like you've already done), and then made a second list of what classes each school wanted to see on my high school transcript, and at what level.

For instance, some of the colleges I applied to specifically said they wanted students to have four years of science, including one year of Physics. Others didn't.

I would look closely at the Admissions page for each college's website, and see if you can't find a detailed breakdown of the courses they would like you to have coming into college.

If you can't find a list, email their admissions counselors! Their email is usually right on the website, and they love to see an applicant who can take initiative by reaching out and communicating directly with them. In fact, you are actually strengthening your chances by potentially creating a connection that will add a human element to the impressiveness of your application.

1. As for whether or not to proceed at an honor's level, should you decide to take Physics... My entire high school curriculum was taught at an honor's level, so every course I took was very intense. However, unfortunately, unlike APs, which come with the potential to help you bypass introductory courses in college, there is less of a chance that an honor's course will carry the same weight. I also know that in my day, honor's courses gave a slight advantage in a resumé, but not to the degree AP classes did.

The way you have described your current situation, I can tell that you are someone who works extraordinarily hard, and cares very much about doing your best. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't add the extra pressure of an honor's level course onto an already full plate unless the subject itself brought me immense joy. Not to sound like a broken record, but college next will be a big adjustment you don't want to go into burned out.

Unless a college specifies that there is an advantage to taking honor's level courses, I would go easy on yourself on this one.

For a personal addition, I applied to a lot of the types schools you have mentioned in your short list, and didn't end up taking physics at all. I was able to get into Kenyon, Sarah Lawrence, Willamette, and many others (actually, every school I applied to I was admitted to) and eventually landed a full-ride to an arts conservatory that I went on to graduate from in 2021. I was also interested in journalism, and edited my high school newspaper, though I didn't end up pursuing it.

Your path to the right school for you will be uniquely yours, Isabella. I wish you the best in your choice, and if you find yourself needing more guidance on your journey through the admissions process, AP courses, or college essay writing, I am just a message away.

Take care, Isabella, and great luck!

Best,

Robin S.

Answer 3

Hey Isabella,

This is a great question. It's great that you are thinking carefully about your senior year schedule and how it aligns with your goals. Let's take a moment to break down what is going on.

First, your academic achievements so far are impressive. With two AP courses under your belt and being currently enrolled in three APs this year shows true commitment to your studies. Your desire to balance that rigor with your well-being is equally important.

As a veteran admissions specialist and counselor, my advice will involve you considering the following factors on whether you should drop your AP courses:

1. Fit for Your Major: Since you’re interested in journalism and communications, courses directly related to writing, media, and social sciences will be more relevant to your future studies than physics. However, many colleges still value a well-rounded transcript that shows you’ve challenged yourself in a variety of subjects, including science.
2. AP Exam Scores: Taking AP exams will primarily help you if you have done relatively well in the courses. If you have done well in the previous exams taken, then you have already demonstrated a positive step in the right direction for your academic preparedness in college.
3. Honors Physics vs. Regular Physics: If you’re concerned about the time commitment and stress of honors physics, regular physics could be a good compromise. It would still demonstrate that you’re pursuing a core science course without the added pressure of honors-level work. Keep in mind that your academic performance in all of your classes matters, so maintaining strong grades is crucial.
4. College Expectations: The schools you’ve listed—Emerson, Syracuse, BU, Fordham, and Columbia—are all competitive, but they don’t necessarily require every student to take the most rigorous courses across every discipline. Admissions officers also consider your overall profile in a holistic way, including extracurriculars, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. If taking regular physics or opting for an open block helps you stay balanced and successful in your other commitments, that’s something colleges will respect.
5. Balance: It’s completely okay to prioritize your mental health and well-being, especially in your senior year. Colleges are looking for students who are not only academically strong but also self-aware and capable of making thoughtful decisions about their own workload.

In short, if you feel that honors physics may overwhelm you, regular physics is a solid alternative that won’t hurt your chances of admission. If you choose to keep the open block, use that time effectively to rest or work on your other classes extracurriculars, and community service. Ultimately, admissions officers will want to see that you’ve made choices that align with both your academic goals and personal well-being.

Good luck with your decision, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any more questions! Take care!

-Dr. Christal-Joy Turner