<p>I was considering self studying ap chemistry, although people say it is very difficult to do. I want to go to MIT for engineering though, so I essentially have to get a 5 on it for it to be worth it. I'm planning on taking 4/5 other ap classes next year, including 1 online, so would you guys recommend self studying ap chem?</p>
<p>My schedule next year:</p>
<p>AP Cal BC
AP Eng Lang
AP US History
AP Computer Science A
AP Physics C: Mechanics</p>
<p>I think self-studying AP Chemistry with that schedule is a great idea, that is, if you have the ability to stop time occasionally. ;)</p>
<p>Well I'm very good with calc and ush. Both my parents know programming and various languages, so a basic language like java for comp sci a will be ezpk. I'm only worried about eng lang, physics and chemistry. </p>
<p>Also, my school's teachers are horrible. I expect them to teach me nothing.</p>
<p>I think it depends on how much you already know about chemistry. If you're a starter, it is indeed gonna be hard, and I'm not sure how much it's worth if you're just doing it for a college credit. For what it's worth, do Computer Science AB instead of A. If your school doesn't offer the course, it is still easier to self study the B part of CS AB than to get to know the whole AP chemistry thing.
If you already had a great amount of knowledge in chemistry, then I don't see why not just doing some work to get ready for the exam in your senior spring.(you're gonna be a senior, right?) I started self-studying chemistry after the spring break of my sohpomore year and got a 5 in that same spring -- just to show you that it's very doable.</p>
<p>I'm going to be a junior next year, and I'm planning on studying for chemistry during the summer of this year [end of my sophomore year]. </p>
<p>I don't think the material is difficult, but I'm not sure about whether it'd be better to self study or hope that they offer a class for it. I am looking towards self-study, though, because it doesn't seem impossible like some people describe it.</p>
<p>Really, whether the material is difficult or not depends on how much you already know. I had major difficulties for one huge chapter (although afterwards I realized you actually don't need to know it at all to get a five...it's just like you don't actually need to know Taylor's Series to get a 5 in BC cal...). But yes, if you start this summer to get a great deal done, it would be very very doable:) Chemistry is about understanding, really. so start early so you have the room to get that understanding. Some people say the memorization in chemistry is painful -- but there isn't much memorization if you practice enough, and understand how things work rather than just know what things are. For that matter, you might wanna get a couple chemistry friends you can talk to to get inspired from time to time. Also, considering you do have time, don't just use a prep book but a real text book that explain things.</p>
<p>ap chemistry definitely has alot of material, but you'll be fine if you have a pretty good understanding of the basics. prince review is really good in preparing you- people in my school would fail the class, like literally fail it the entire year, read the princeton review book with the teacher the last 3 weeks or so, and get a five! there are alot of ap chem prep sites like gashalot that help you so if you devote some time into it constantly, i think you'll be able to pull off a 5. good luck =]</p>
<p>Ugh, I self-studied AP Chemistry this year. I felt pretty horrible about the test, all I can say is that make sure you know your material well. Perhaps you should pick up both the Barron's (superfluous) and Princeton Review (not enough for self-study). Use PR to guide your progression through the Barron's book. And start early. Dear god, start early. Good luck though. AP Chemistry Exam nearly made me cry because it was so hard for me..I think I received a 3, at most. It's possible to self-study and receive a 5 on it, you just need to start early and review a lot for it.</p>
<p>I would definitely self study AP Chem next year if I were you. The only reason I didn't this year was because I'm taking AP Chem in a class my senior year. While your studying Chem you should prep for USNCO. Making semis would be a nice addition to your app.</p>
<p>Self-Studying AP Chemistry is a very nasty experience. If you have absolutely no background at all, it'll be VERY hard. You really need a teacher at first, to get simple things set straight and to get used to scientific thinking... to make all these connections and principles really stand out. Besides, that schedule is already very nasty... but if you're really motivated, go ahead.</p>
<p>Edit: Actually, I don't think you can. Don't you need certain lab hours for the course?</p>
<p>I'm not sure about the lab hours requirement (that might have an effect on receiving credit for the course at a college), but from my personal experience, actual lab experience is critical to thoroughly understanding Chemistry at a practical level.</p>
<p>To Jashper: yeah...although what you say is true...the lab in highschool is like a joke...It does not do as much as it's supposed to</p>
<p>Well, I'm not sure about your high school, but we did some pretty intense labs at mine ;) Some of them lasted at least 8 or 9 days, an hour and a half a day.</p>
<p>it depends on how much background you have in chemistry.. if you've had no chemistry at all, then self-study will be difficuly.. but if you've had some type of chemistry class before, then it probably won't be too bad.. i took regular chemistry last year as a sophomore (we didn't thave pre-ap chemistry last year... but we do this year.. sucks.. many of us got screwed)... and i took AP chem this year.. and it's really just more complicated problems and a few extra equations... now the problems can get really complicated, but having a chemistry class before helped me a lot.. adn i think i got a 5 on the exam.. so if you've had chemistry before, then self-studying for AP won't be too bad</p>
<p>What I meant earlier, is lab is a REQUIREMENT to actually even get credit / take the exam. I'm not sure about that, but I remember reading somewhere you can't self-study science APs because of this.</p>
<p>i would pick another subject to self study- chem is one of the hardest to do</p>