At the beginning of this past school year, I decided I wanted to learn the AP Microeconomic curriculum as I am very interested in economics and plan to major in it in college (currently a rising senior in HS). So, I signed up and paid for a class through an accredited online private school (class not offered at my school). While doing the class, I found the work to be very tedious and not very helpful. This led me to stop doing the class work and self-teach myself. I thought the AP exam was very easy and confident I scored very high on it. Now, the deadline for my coursework at this private school is coming up and I’m only half finished. I do not need the credit and don’t see a need for me to complete the course as the exam is complete and I know the material. Would selective admissions rather see that I finish this class and be on my transcript or that I self-taught myself it and scored high? I have many other things going on at the moment as well which makes doing all the work for the class difficult but doable. Thanks in advance!
It depends on what you think is best in terms of your daily schedule. I’m assuming you had to pay for the online course (correct me if I’m wrong). In that case, not completing the class work would just be a waste of money. Also, I don’t think it would hurt if you finished the course considering how easy it would be for you (since you already know/have self-taught yourself the curriculum). Whatever path you choose, good luck!
@parthlegendboy
Thanks for the advice!
I am taking other summer courses right now so I feel like I will probably just let go of the course and bury that grade/transcript in my mind (I will obviously not transfer the credit to my main school transcript). I hate that it is a waste of money but the class is EXTREMELY tedious and assignments require not much thinking but time. The more I think about it the more I don’t think that the .5 credit is worth it. Also, the reason I’m so conflicted is many threads on here talk about how admissions apprently “hate” self-taught AP’s. However, considering Econ is my major, will be my only self-taught, and is not offered at my school, wouldnt that benefit my resume rather than hurt it?
You are required to report all classes taken at any place during HS when you apply to colleges. So a bad grade on the online school will be an issue.
Was it a class that your high school approved of? If they are expecting it you might need to talk to your school to find out how they handle it. Here the only way the school would give credit for anything taken outside of school is with preapproval which is signed off on by school, parent, and student - no matter what the grade is the school needs to see official proof. If it isn’t preapproved it will not be part of the high school transcript even with an A plus. Colleges do expect you to be honest and report grades from all sources so see if you can officially withdraw.
@coolweather
I was not aware that colleges “require” you to report any courses outside of your main transcript and would have issue in not reporting them. Thanks for the info!
@momtogirls2
I did get the course “pre-approved” by my principal and guidance department; however, there was no official paperwork done or anything. I was told that the principal would accept the credit and it will be handled once the credit is completed. Thanks btw!
Talk to your GC…ask what happens if you do not complete the course. Can you withdraw?
If you can, go ahead and take the AP test. If you get a 4 or 5, then great! You probably can get college credit for it. But colleges don’t really take AP scores into account in admissions.
If you can’t withdraw, then do whatever you can do finish and get at least a B. College will see that grade on your transcript (and won’t take into account the AP test grade).