Hey everyone,
So, I am trying to decide on my classes for senior year, and I have run into a bit of a conundrum. I am (obviously) a high school junior, with a high GPA (3.96), a somewhat rigorous transcript (AP English Lit and Lang, Euro (self-studied), US Gov, Calc AB, and Physics C), and a lot of commitment to Policy Debate. I currently want to double major in Pol Sci and Economics, and I would like to maximize my chances of getting selected to highly selective universities (not sure if that’s where I want to go, but I want options).
Next year, I have to decide whether I want to take AP Chemistry or a less rigorous, non-AP science class. If I were to take the less rigorous class, I would devote the extra time to self-studying AP Economics (Macro and Micro). I see a lot of conflicting advice on the matter online. Some sources say that colleges want to see that you have consistently taken the highest level classes available in all core subjects, while others suggest that colleges want to see focus and dedication to specific interests. I guess I am just making this post to get some opinions from people who have been in similar situations, or have some idea of what would be the better choice. Thank you very much!
I’m in this camp. Regardless, colleges will still prefer that you take an actual class over self studying. You will get no bonus points for self studying and the scores would not even be available until after decisions are made.
Really? Do you have a source for that? I believe you know what you are talking about, but all my research indicates colleges like to see self-studying, assuming you get results (e.g [url = https://www.■■■■■■■■■■■/ivywise-knowledgebase/newsletter/article/self-studying-whats-the-benefit-and-how-to-do-it/]Here[/url] and [url = http://www.thecollegiateblog.org/2012/12/24/self-studying-for-ap-exams/]here).
If you’re majoring in Econ, you probably won’t get credit for macro/micro in college, but chem could get you out of a science class
For a college, they look at your transcript. They want to see that you can take challenging courses in HS and do well over the year…because that is what they want you to do in college…not blow off the course and then just take an AP test. Much like they dont want to see a low GPA with a high SAT score.
So if they see Basketweaving (and you self study AP Econ which won’t be on your transcript) vs AP Chem, they would prefer AP Chem. I think self studying IN ADDITION to your classescan be useful (like an EC), but GPA in challenging classes is the best thing.
Alright, thanks to everyone who gave advice. Due to the unanimous recommendation that I go with AP Chemistry, that’s what I am doing :).
Yes. When I was going through the admissions process, I went to an Exploring College Options event, which had reps from Harvard, Stanford, Penn, Duke, and Georgetown, among others. During the Q&A, someone asked, “What do you think of applicants who self-study for additional AP’s over and above the AP classes they take?” One rep responded, “Please don’t do that. We’re not impressed by that.” The other reps all nodded.
From the first link, emphasis mine:
This does not apply to the OP’s question; s/he has not exhausted the HS curriculum. There are certainly valid reasons to self study a course, including a burning interest in the subject, or earning college credit. However, the OP did ask the question with college admissions in mind, in this case, I stand by my earlier statement.