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Should I drop AP Physics C as a junior 2nd semester?

I am a junior in my 2nd semester of high school. I took a course load of 5 APs and over the summer my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I’ve had a hard time managing my life and honestly am very mentally overwhelmed. I have taken AP Physics C and second semester I am on track for a D or F with only 4 tests remaining. I have not been able to manage all of my AP’s. I am worried if I drop the class colleges will look at me negatively and if I stay my grade will be very bad. My gpa currently is a 3.8 and last semester I got a C in the class because of the same reason. I would like to major in astronomy or aerospace engineering. Please provide your suggestions for my next steps. I would like to be able to apply to T20 colleges and my top college is Embry Riddle. Will I be able to get in if I get a bad grade or I drop based on my circumstances? Thank you!

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Vianne’s Answer

It's understandable to consider dropping AP Physics C, especially given your situation. You're handling five AP classes in your junior year while your mom is dealing with cancer. That's a lot to manage, and it's okay to make choices that protect your well-being. Colleges know that life can be tough, and they don't expect perfection when you're facing big challenges at home.

If you're struggling with a low grade in Physics C, dropping it might be better for you. Your GPA is strong, and you've shown you can handle tough courses. Colleges like Embry Riddle and even top schools look at the whole picture. Dropping one AP class because of a family issue doesn't make you look bad; it shows you're human. A bad grade stays on your transcript, but a drop with a good reason can be explained.

Talk to your school counselor soon and make sure your reason for dropping is noted as a family hardship. This helps colleges understand your situation. You can plan to take another physics class later when things are more stable. When you apply to colleges, you can mention this briefly to explain what happened.

Remember, taking care of your mental health is most important. Making a smart decision now shows you're mature and thinking ahead.
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Anil’s Answer

That is a lot to deal with, so you think about doing what you can to feel less overwhelmed. By dropping AP Physics C, do you mean moving down to a regular non-AP Physics class or just dropping the class completely and not replacing it with anything? If you mean the second option, one thing to think about is whether that will affect your ability to get all the necessary credits to graduate. If it won't affect your ability to meet your graduation requirements or if you meant you would just move down to a regular level Physics course, then I think you should definitely consider it. Colleges will definitely understand your circumstances, but you will need to explain it as part of your application (or have your college counselor or your teacher writing your recommendation explain why you needed to drop).

You have an excellent GPA so I don't think you should worry about chances of getting into a good college. College admissions counselors understand having a bad grade or even dropping a class because of circumstances. For purposes of your career, what you do in high school is less important than what you do in college. So you can take the necessary Physics course once you get to college.

Focus on your mental wellbeing, your family , and on your other classes.
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