<p>Hi All!
I was wondering what the benefits of self-studying an AP course are and taking the test (GPA, Transcript, and Admissions wise)
As well, what tests would be easiest to self study for (keep in mind I want to be a theater major at Northwestern and I am not some sort of Science genius and am awfully bad at Spanish so please no)
What books/ online courses help with self- study on that test as well?</p>
<p>As a homeschooler, the main benefits for taking AP exams are:
- Placement (not specific to homeschoolers)
- Show outside verification for your work</p>
<p>It’s kind of hard to know whether it would help you given the limited information. For example, dual enrollment classes or SAT subject tests would also help. However, if you are interested in AP tests, I’d recommend:
- AP English Language (I self studied with Princeton Review, but I’ve heard Cliff Notes is better)
- AP English Literature (dual enrollment / self studying now)
- any foreign language (I guess you don’t want to?)
- any history (US, dual enrollment / self study)</p>
<p>If you’re okay with science/math/CS, either BC calc or Stats would be good. Psych / Environmental are kind of “fluff” to most colleges (and I’m not sure how applicable it would be for you anyway). AP CS isn’t that bad; Amplify has an online course for free. </p>
<p>For self-studying, I like to go to the library and browse through old books. Then I pick the brand that I’d actually read (e.g. Princeton Review is sort of fun, but I can’t focus on Kaplan, at least for English). I buy / borrow them and work through the practice problems. </p>
<p>There are also a ton of resources online, but non specifically for AP that are free and I really like. I combine Cliff Notes, Spark Notes, and Shmoop for humanities, Khanacademy, mathsisfun, and purplemath for math, and Khanacademy, Amplify (CS), and Cliff Notes for sciences.</p>
<p>Sorry that was so long. Hopefully something in there helps you, and let me know if you have other specific/general questions!</p>
<p>Thank you! Would you recommend European History? </p>
<p>I had a slight problem this year and now am only taking one AP which I’m not too proud of so I’m hoping this will help with my App… Would it?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>@nuisbae, which AP are you currently taking? I haven’t taken European history so I can’t say specifically, but I pick APs by looking at:
- Do I like the subject?
- Do I have any background in the subject? (Not required, but it makes it much easier to self-study)
- Would I be motivated to keep up with it? </p>
<p>If you like history, and think it’s doable, I’d say go for it. You’ll have to work quickly, especially if you haven’t had any background in it, but if you can memorize things quickly, you should be fine. Definitely buy/borrow a AP prep book soon, though, so you can see where you are. Good luck!</p>
<p>You could also use a MOOC to prep for a related AP or SAT Subject exam. </p>
<p>thank you! </p>