I was wondering if it is worth self-studying APs, and later take the exam without taking the class. Whether it will look good on college applications or not, and if it is worth using the time. And if so, which APs, should i spend time on self-studying. I understand you have a chance of receiveing a college credit, but I am wondering if it will boost your college application.
<p>I note on the other thread that you are anticipating applying to MIT. On the MIT application, there is a section where they ask which AP subjects you've studied and they ask you to self-report your score. Not every college application my son filled out this year asked these things, but MIT's did, so I believe that in this case anyway, AP studies and scores are desireable. (My son's experience was with school courses, but I have read posts from students who self-studied and took the exams on their own.) However, please don't get in the habit of doing <em>anything</em> just so "it will look good on college applications". Adcoms at most schools can see right through this. Do the study and take the exams if you are interested in and challenged by the subject, not because you think it will look good on your application in a couple years. Especially for MIT, don't do things in terms of "will it look good?" -- have a passion and dive into it, while excelling in your academic endeavors, and then show them who you are on the application. They are looking for <em>people</em>, not lists of numbers (although they'll sure look at those numbers too!).</p>
<p>it will look nice on your app to have scored WELL on many ap's, but grades for classes you actually took will be a major factor, among everything else</p>
<p>look at schools you are interested in to see their AP policies... some schools will take a 3,4,5 in math or science courses, some schools only take 4's and 5's, some only take 5's... many schools also have a limit on how many total credits you can bring in from AP's, even if you took many more tests. it's a lot of work to learn and study for AP's, so you want to make sure it's worth it when you get to college in terms of classes and credits</p>
<p>It will look very nice if you score well on the exams.</p>
<p>austin colleg ein sherman texas told me it would be a "good boost" to my application to be an AP National scholar. sorta applies...</p>
<p>Oh yeah, my first choice school is MIT and second is Stanford, if that matters.</p>
<p>mootmom you're son is lucky to have a mother like u, unfortunately 99% of this board has a disgusting mindset like that described</p>
<p>any more advice?</p>