<p>Hi, I'm an international student seeking to study in the US.</p>
<p>I haven't planned on taking any ap tests, but I'm planning to take the SAT and SAT II subject tests.</p>
<p>I really want to get into schools like stanford and upenn, but my school uses the homeschool curriculum and does not offer any ap courses. However, I'm taking the Honors course, which is the most demanding course in this curriculum. </p>
<p>Will I be able to compete with other students who have taken ap tests?</p>
<p>Do you know of anyone who got into competitive colleges without taking any ap tests? </p>
<p>AP tests are not necessary if they’re not available to you. However, self-studying AP’s in your desired field of study could should some initiative. Though, I’m sure there have been people accepted into Stanford and UPenn without taking APs, these schools just look to see that you’re challenging yourself. </p>
<p>My school doesn’t do APs and we have had multiple people accepted to Ivies each year. We do dual enrollment with the local college though. If you explain your situation and are able to prove there is course rigor at your school then you should be fine without APs. However, as the person above mentioned, if you are able to take the test, it wouldn’t hurt you to do so.</p>
<p>Students who are internationals are not expected to have AP’s and you do not need to explain that to anyone. Just take challenging coursework and demonstrate intellectual curiosity through academics or EC’s. Even in the U.S., some schools do not offer AP’s and it does not affect you. AP’s are just expected if it represents the most rigorous curriculum at your school–in that case if everyone is taking them but you are not, it seems you don’t challenge yourself as much as others–that is why AP matters. Also some colleges offer college credits for them—not usually Ivy though.</p>
<p>So instead of worrying about APs, which no one will expect you to have, worry about how to show that you challenge yourself. That you have talent, promise and what Stanford calls ‘intellectual vitality’.</p>
Would it be of any difference if I took one AP test next year, after sending admissions and updating them with my score?</p>
I feel much better now!</p>