<p>I'm looking at applying to Princeton my senior year (I'm a sophomore right now). I've never taken an AP or CC class because, before this year, I wasn't really dedicated to getting into a more rigorous school. Now that I am, I'm trying to figure out what I can stuff in to the short amount of time I have before college apps. My question is: how does Princeton view CC classes? Do they count them on the same level, lower, or higher than AP classes? If you take a CC class and the AP test afterwards (without ever taking the AP class), do they still consider that as a full AP experience? Do CC classes count at all towards college credit, or do they just look like a high school class? As homeschooler, would it be beneficial to take a CC class and prove my ability to work in an outside, college setting?</p>
<p>Hi brokenandhealed,</p>
<p>Doing both can be a good thing as a homeschooler. I don’t know the “magic formula” for selective schools like Princeton but my son, a part time homeschooled/part time college student was just admitted. He will have about 60 community college units, 6 AP exams without AP classes (but he did have corresponding community college classes for 4 of them), and 19 units of audited (read: free) university classes. He had straight As in his community college classes (all math, physics, and Arabic), so the gpa probably was important to Princeton. I don’t think they give you credit for either CC classes or AP but I could be wrong. I think it’s more like placement into the proper level, as in, taking placement exams. I guess if my son decides to attend Princeton and we have the means, he’ll find all that out!</p>
<p>But short answer: yes, you should definitely have outside verification for your work. Those outside teachers will be the ones writing the letters of recommendation for you. Your mom (or dad or whomever is your supervising parent/guardian) will write the counselor letter but you definitely want to have other adults who know your work well.</p>
<p>HTH.</p>