<p>I've got a bit of a problem (obviously). I'm a sophomore and I was planning on taking 2 APs next year (both self- studied). I was planning on taking more in senior year since my schedule opens up ALOT and I'm not taking many classes then so I'll have much more time on my hands. However I wanted to self- study for those too. But I heard that colleges don't about self- studied APs from senior year. </p>
<p>In junior year my schedule's pretty clogged up (my school makes us take those classes in junior year). My school doesn't offer any APs which I want to take. I really want to take something that interests me and not something just for college (or I would probably do badly anyways). </p>
<p>Is there anyway I could let the college know what grades I predict to get a conditional offer or something like that?</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know how to enter predicted grades if you fill the form out for UCAS personally? Will putting pending hurt my chances? (Ignore this paragraph if you don't know the British system).</p>
<p>You would do well to discuss your planned approach of focusing on self-study APs with your school counselor, or perhaps with an admission officer or two (they often visit high schools – and you should be able to get someone’s time) before you follow it seriously.</p>
<p>To the extent that you are an exceptional student, and that you don’t give up on the rigorous courses in core subjects (english, foreign language, history, lab science and math) offered in your high school you’re free to self-study APs or any subject for that matter. But if you’re compromising core courses in the process then your approach may be self defeating.</p>
<p>The AP tests are not meant to be replacements for AP coursework. Sending in AP scores for self-study courses isn’t likely to help you. Self reporting predicted scores doesn’t make any sense.</p>
<p>so then do self- studied APs in senior year make no difference at all for college admissions? I really couldn’t care less about the not taking the class in college. I’m just worried about getting accepted.</p>
<p>Self studied APs do very little for you in general, especially your senior year, when there is nothing to back up your claim of self studying. Taking AP classes in school is verrry valuable; they show course rigor, inflate your rank, etc. Self studying senior year is next to worthless unless you’re looking for college credit. </p>
<p>In your application, pretty much all you can report is the name of the exams you plan to self-study and take. You cannot “predict” your grade and report it to the colleges. That is absurd, and a number that is entirely meaningless.</p>
<p>Self-studied exams don’t look good if you skipped out on an opportunity to take the AP class. Besides, if you take them during senior year, they’ll never appear on a college transcript. You’re better off taking as many exams as you can do well on NOW, at the end of junior year, and have AP classes during senior year.</p>
<p>Also, do NOT report what you project that you will get. Colleges don’t care; they want solid proof that you will do well in the class, and a numerical grade in a high school class is a better indicator than “I love Economics, so I’m projecting a 4 on the Macro exam.” And if you report your projected scores in the “AP Exams” section, it looks like a desperate waste of space. Don’t do it.</p>