Advice for a first year high schooler who wishes to be a theoretical physicist

[AaronSvenson]

Hello there, I am currently 14 and 1 and a half weeks away from starting high school and over my summer break I've developed a strong fascination in theoretical physics, especially in the brane theory(which involves the notion that there are actually 11 dimensions of space and one of time) and I would really like to pursue a career in theoretical physics but I am clueless on where to start, I will be taking AP algebra which covers algebra 1 and 2, and geometry 1 and 2. I have been home schooled all my life so I believe this is a great opportunity to pursue my dream. I am also taking a course in pre-engineering. I wish to attend a college( I am still looking for one) and acquire a major in Astrophysics then hopefully apply to Cambridge for Theoretical Physics. Any and all advice is welcome.

 

[cristo]

The best thing you can do at this age is to take as many maths and science classes that you can.

 

[Ryker]

kid give up on that dream. If you have not started differential calculus by now, you probably won't make a good theoretical physicist.

OP, ignore this comment, the poster doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

[Norman]

I would say keep your options and possibilities open. In addition, keep an open mind about other subjects. Don't close yourself off from other possibilities at such a young age. In addition, I agree with cristo:

The best thing you can do at this age is to take as many maths and science classes that you can.

In science, knowing math very well will never serve you poorly.

 

[gigabyte3000]

Chances are that at your age, you perception of every single branch of science is at least a little skewed, including physics. Keep an open mind and don't get stuck onto this idea of theoretical physics. In case you didn't know, there are two types of physics, theoretical and experimental. The media and things like it tend to sensationalize theoretical physics, and I think that you might think that theoretical physics is something it's not, and experimental is something it's not. You may find, as you get older and get into college, that you find experimental physics more interesting. Or that you find biology or something else interesting. Just keep an open mind as some people have said before me.