AP First-Time Self-Studier. Please give advice!

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to help me. =] </p>

<p>My school is very small and does not offer an AP classes. I am very interested in several competitive colleges, and would like to have the experience of APs, so I am planning on self-studying. Basically, I have a bunch of questions and anyone who could answer any of them and/or give me any other advice about this process would be really appreciated. </p>

<p>-Are AP Tests or SAT Subject Tests harder? </p>

<p>-And if I'm self-studying all my APs, would it make sense to take AP tests first or SAT Subject Tests first? Do you take them in the same subject? </p>

<p>-How many AP Tests will make it noticeable to colleges that I self-studied? </p>

<p>-Will colleges even care that I self-studied APs?
Note: I am NOT self-studying to "enhance" my college application, but I am generally interested about the process and would like to be given some recognition for my hard work. </p>

<p>-I am also spending 4+ hours a week on a Latin 4/5 Independent Study, and hope that all this self-studying in addition to my heavy courseload at school will distinguish me and show schools that I care A LOT and have the personal drive to succeed in school and on my own.
<em>Is that a realistic assumption or are so many people self-studying these days, it no longer looks impressive?</em></p>

<p>Thanks, any advice would be SUPER appreciated! =]</p>

<p>(I apologize if you have already read this on the AP board. I originally intended to post it here because the AP board seems to be going through a slow period.)</p>

2

<p>Does anyone have any thoughts?</p>

3

<p>I don't think the AP's matter that much. Some schools are dropping some of them. Mostly they are for placement. I have not noticed the people who collect them do that much better than those who don't. When it is associated with a course, it suggests it was substantial in nature. I am not sure how much it does in your case beyond placement. You may get a little bang for self-study.</p>

4

<p>Hey! There's a really great thread about self-studying APs; it touches on which courses could/should be self-studied, how one could go about self-studying, and other things of that nature. Hope it helps! :)
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/369861-self-studying-aps-improving-your-app.html?highlight=self+studying+APs%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/369861-self-studying-aps-improving-your-app.html?highlight=self+studying+APs&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

5

<p>Okay, thanks everyone! =]</p>

6

<p>SAT II's are typically a bit harder than APs. (A 5 is easier than an 800). A good number of students self-study, but it seems almost a requirement for those with no APs/IB/or college classes.</p>

7

<p>First, APs are not critical towards college - there are thousands of applicants with straight 5's who do not get accepted at HYPMS. I have 8 5's and was deferred EA at Stanford. However, if you do want to learn the material, I believe it is a great idea. </p>

<p>A 5 on AP is generally easier than an 800 on SAT II. A 700 however, is probably worse than a 5. I would take the SAT II in May (with the AP) or June, depending on if you need the extra time to prep.</p>

<p>Latin is a tough AP exam, are you sure you want to self-prep for it? I have taken 3 years of Latin and would probably have gotten a 3 on the exam if I took the AP class and then the test. 2 of my brightest friends have gotten 5's on every other exam.</p>