My high school doesn’t offer any AP courses and I was wondering if I self studied for AP tests if that would help improve my college applications or if admissions really needs to see that I took the class instead of just the test.
Thanks!
It probably won’t help much (most colleges say explicitly that AP test scores aren’t used for admissions purposes), but it certainly can’t hurt.
The lack of AP classes at your school won’t be held against you. The guidance counselor at your school submits a school profile in which he/she describes your school’s ‘profile’, and rates your transcript against 1) what the school has to offer and 2) what other students took. If your school doesn’t have APs, and you are taking the most rigorous classes available, you are fine. Of course, it does show exceptional initiative and self-discipline if you self-study for a class you are really interested in - and a good grade on the AP test demonstrates that. But there are other ways to demonstrate that too, so self-study for the AP isn’t the only way to go. Don’t lose any sleep over this.
I don’t entirely agree with Marvin100. Your school doesn’t offer them, but why not study for,them yourself? Surely any college will be impressed that you took the initiative to do it, and that looks good. Of course you will need to arrange with your HS to take the test, and now is the time to go about doing that. My daughter self studied AP Psych because she is planning to study that, and the school doesn’t offer it. She got a 5. I find it hard to beleive that any college will view that as totally without merit. There are a number of APs that are recommended for being good for self study. This website is a good place to find out about them.
Are you a senior this year? If you are then no help at all. The tests are well after the admissions deadline. If you are a junior there may be some schools that would consider it. I do remember a poster quoting an Ivy League seminar in which ADs stated unequivocally, don’t bother, we are not impressed when you do that.
I agree with Lindagaf. I think that if you have the time to devote to self studying or just genuinely think you will pass, I would say go for it. All it will do is enhance your application. And colleges will recognize that you didn’t an AP class but did take (and hopefully pass if it’s being sent to them) the AP exam. I have a friend whose (very small) school didn’t offer any AP classes but he self studied and ended up taking about 8 over their high school years (passing all of them), and he thinks it helped in the admission process and he even got accepted to Cornell. (Not just because of these AP tests, obviously.) Also, it gives you a chance at gaining college credit with some colleges! So, I would say go for it!
Yes, good point made by hollyh77. AP classes can give you credit, and even if not accepted for credit, they help with placement. Don’t be too ambitious though. Take the ones that are best for self study. I researched this a lot when my D did it. Some AP classes will be very difficult to get a decent score on the test without classroom instruction. You don’t want to kill yourself with a self study course that is just too difficult, in addition to your regular school work, only to get a 2. Bear in mind that nearly all colleges want 4 or 5 on the exam, though some will accept 3 for foregin language.
Thanks for all the helpful answers! I’m currently a junior in high school and have gotten good grades throughout my years but unfortunately haven’t taken many rigorous classes. So I was wondering if taking the AP exams would boost my chances of being accepted into the colleges I’m interested in.
As another poster pointed out, now is the time to do this, if you ever are going to. It won’t make a difference as a senior, because you won’t even take the test until you have been accepted at a college. See what AP offerings there are, choose one or two you are interested in. My daughter had a text book that was recommended for the course, purchased second hand online, and two study guides. If you can be disciplined, you can do it. Here is a little secret…she studied intensely for less than a month.
@spapan: When you say you " haven’t taken many rigorous courses," can you say you’ve taken the most rigorous courses, or are on a course which demonstrates that you are now taking the most rigorous courseload, available for students at your school?
Also, not to flog a dead horse, but maybe an AO at a school said they don’t care about AP test scores, but I am certain they must at least look at AP test scores. It is the only way they can be sure that the A you got in the class isn’t just because you had an easy teacher. Or, it shows that you are disciplined enough to work hard enough to get a 4 or 5. I am sure they would be less impressed with an application filled with AP courses, but the student only had 2s or 3s to show for taking those courses.