<p>You're all right that the majority of those were self study. I went to a smaller high school (class of 160) and we didn't have too many AP Courses. I self studied English Language, Calc BC, World History, Physics C, Comparative Gov't, Environmental Science, and Human Geography.</p>
<p>Though I must clarify - it wasn't really an intense self-study plan that others engage it. I pretty much read some AP review books in subjects I thought I was relatively strong in throughout April and May. I was lucky enough to have my school support my endeavours enough to pay for all of my exams (they already pay for those that one is enrolled in the class for).</p>
<p>Additionally, to compensate for not offering so many AP courses, my high school paid for slots in online AP courses through Apex Learning, an online company. I took both of the Econs, U.S. Gov't, Statistics, and Psychology this way.</p>
<p>My advice to everyone - talk to your school about paying for AP related expenses. More high scores benefit you and them, so often they will be flexible; at least I know mine was. I never would've been able to do what I did without the backing of my high school.</p>
<p>Hey istar1018, what school are you applying to/ get accepted to? (just curious!)
And did you apply (do u need to?) for the Simeins AP Awards?</p>
<p>I'm a junior, and I'm doing something very VERY similar to yours, only my school doesn't pay @#*! for our AP tests/online courses...</p>
<p>Soph
AP Euro (4)</p>
<p>Junior (now)
AP Micro (Apex--now)
AP Macro (maybe Apex--2nd sem.)
AP Physics B (self study)
AP Psych (Self study)
AP USH
AP Chem
AP Stat
AP Calc BC
AP Music Theory</p>
<p>grand total after junior year: 10
Goal: Be national AP Scholar at the end of the Junior year (1st in state to do so... I think. I'm in WI)</p>
<p>Another question: If you get the State Scholar Award at the end of the Senior year, you really can't tell that to the colleges, right? Either get it after Jr. year and send it in transcript or don't, right?</p>
<p>Danielsjang, you're right about the State Scholar - if you don't get it junior year, you won't get it on your app for college.</p>
<p>Yea, and our school does NOT pay for AP tests, online courses, IB exams, etc. </p>
<p>Somehow, even though you live in WI, I think that someone in your state has probably been a national AP scholar at the end of junior year. Just a guess - there are so many hardcore people you've probably never heard about in years past.</p>
<p>I'm also going for national AP scholar by the end of this year, my junior year.</p>
<p>Freshman year: World History
Sophomore year: Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Junior (this) year:
Environmental Science
English Literature
English Language
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Physics B
Statistics
Not sure about: Spanish Language
USH (I'd have to take an online course)</p>
<p>ISTAR1018 ~ Congratulations on 20 exams, with very good scores! And thank you for posting the information. I live in PA too and my kids have been wondering what it takes to win here. There doesn't seem to be any info on past winners in PA easily avaialable.</p>
<p>Your win with 20 exams is phenomenal. You would have been competitive for AP State Scholar in California, where that number of exams taken by the state winner is usually the highest. In states the size of PA, OH, or NJ, I think 15 or 16 is more common, so I suspect that you were the winner by far!</p>
<p>First, I'd never heard of the Siemens AP Award... and no, I was not a recipient of it. Second, like everyone on this board has been saying, the awards don't really matter once you are out of high school. I'm very happy right now attending the University of Virginia on a Jefferson Scholarship, though I chose that over what some would consider to be much more selective institutions (MIT, etc.). </p>
<p>I will say, that while the award doesn't mean much, transferring in with 100 credits (AP's + some HS dual enrollment courses) is a very nice thing indeed.</p>
<p>So shouldn't I be an AP Scholar, or am I stupid and have they not released the info yet? I assumed they would tell the kids but not release it to the schools, but is that wrong?</p>
<p>I'm so confused, does anyone want to help me understand? :P</p>
<p>Ah, here's some stuff:
"There are two steps to calculating the awards: First, the student's average AP grade is determined based on all exams taken this year and in previous years. Second, the student's exam grades are checked to see which ones count toward the various Scholar Awards (e.g., an exam with a grade of 3 does not count toward a National Scholar Award). A student must meet both sets of criteria to be eligible; e.g., a student who has a 3.25 AP grade average but only received a 3 or higher on three exams will not receive the Scholar with Honor Award because the minimum requirement is four or more exams."</p>
<p>Do you guys think it's OK to put down "AP Scholar with Distinction" on my college applications even though I haven't gotten an official notice? I'm 100% sure I qualify for it...</p>
<p>TO ALL THE CALI KIDS: DID ANY OF YOU GET YOUR AWARD YET? i calculated my own and know that i get an award, its just wierd that they havent sent them out yet..and as far as i know, noone in cali has gotten one yet...lemme know if anyone has. thanks</p>
<p>put down whatever award you have calculated, then put "pending".</p>
<p>On the Siemens award - it was just a fyi, having nothing to do with anyone in particular who posted here. It's something you need to know about early in high school if you want to go after it, because only exams taken prior to senior year "count" for the award. Also only scores of 5 count, and only 8 particular exams count. $3000-8000.</p>
<p>Today, my S recieved his AP Award. We were expecting AP Scholar with Distinction. Instead he received an AP Diploma for achievement on 5 or more exams across all disciplines. What the heck is that? According to the College Board Web site, they considered establishing the AP Diploma award, but decided not to do it. Anyone else get this?</p>
<p>BG - he'll still get AP Scholar with Distinction. That's in additon to the AP diploma. It's funny that the web site says they decided not to do it. It's described on the back of the letter, along with the definitions for all the AP Scholar awards.</p>