APs vs. no APs, help!

Applying to College
1

<p>I have a quick question concerning the AP and honor classes. The thing is that my international school doesn't offer any APs or honor classes, does this have a very negative affect in the admission process? I've taken all of the hardest classes that my school can offer (mostly regular classes + precal). And I'm planning to take the calculus online during my senior year even though my school doesn't offer it (if this helps). I have above average UW GPA but I'm just worried if not having any APs will hurt my chance. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>It won't hurt you at all if your school doesn't offer it.
Universities just want you to take advantage of what opportunities you have.</p>

3

<p>Phew, I see. Thanks, Johnson.</p>

4

<p>Its true up to a degree. If a adcom sees a person who has no APs offered then the adcom is ok with that, but usually expects the student to show his intellectual-muscle in another way.</p>

<p>A student coming from a school that had only college-prepatory classses offered and no other special awards and tests compared to a person who took only half the AP's he could have taken would be much more undesirable to adcoms, because the kid who only took a few AP's has demonstrated proof that he is able to do college-level work, while the person with only college-prepatory classes, while not his fault, hasnt demonstrated he could.</p>

<p>Im just saying this in general because I always hear the crap about "u dont have to do any special APs/awards/projects if your school doesnt offer super-duper classes". </p>

<p>Your situation should be good though since you still are taking the same sortof classes apparently, just w/o the AP label</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
I always hear the crap about "u dont have to do any special APs/awards/projects if your school doesnt offer super-duper classes".

[/quote]
</p>

<p>A college can't, and does not, expect students to do things that they can't possibly do. What do you expect the op to do?
However, one could easily self-study for some AP's (in fact, I recommend it, RealM).</p>

6

<p>well thats what I mean. If they want to be competitive for a elite school but their school doesnt offer it, they cant just sit there and go through all their easy classes and expect the adcoms not to expect more.</p>

<p>Self-study AP's is exactly what im suggesting, or other big tests/awards.</p>

7

<p>^exactly. I guess I should have made my first post broader.</p>

8

<p>Haha, thats you guys. But can you elaborate more on the "self-studying" APs?
I mean, do I just self-study, let's say, calculus and take the exam? Who gives out the exam? And when do I take it? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

9

<p>I self-studied psychology last year. I went to my school's college advisor and told her I wanted to take it, and she signed me up for it (after I paid, but it is possible to get a waiver if you're family is in a tight spot financially).</p>

<p>To do so, I just got the Barron's AP Psychology review book, and read it through once or twice.</p>

<p>All AP's are given in May by collegeboard.</p>

10

<p>Oh, so I just tell my GC that I want to self-study AP Calculus? What does he sign me up for? I mean, there's no "class" is there? </p>

<p>If I self-study AP Calculus and take the exam in May, will college see it?</p>

11

<p>Call the counseling office of the college you want to get into.
Ask them if they accept credits from Junior Colleges.
Go to a local Junior College.
Take a core class (English, Science, Math, History, Language).
Repeat, if necessary.
This is a great way to show colleges that you're willing to go the extra step to take rigorous classes + it helps your weighted GPA (As long as they accept it).
Classes at a JC are considered AP's since they are college courses.</p>