Counselor Discourages Self-Study! [Venting]

<p>I went to my guidance counselor before Christmas holiday to register for the AP Human Geography exam, considering I don't have the course. She told me that she would need to check with Central Office for confirmation, and lo and behold they said it is okay to take the exam, with the exception that I, not the school system, must pay the exam fee. That's understandable. However, my guidance counselor became very frustrated and annoyed at me knowing that she would have to administer an AP exam four days after all of the other ones had finished up. She thought it ridiculous that she had to do HER job by administering this exam to me. I couldn't believe her attitude about it. </p>

<p>There is a student at my school who is taking AP Physics B online and she is trying to ship him off to another school for the AP exam so that she does not have to administer it! This is just not the option in my case as no other school administers this exam in my local area. </p>

<p>It was just ridiculous the amount of attitude I received today about one little exam. My school, honestly, just caters to the poor, low-IQ student that comprises 98% of my school. I can't stand this city school! Even my AP teachers note the lack of concern for the AP students (most of whom really are not AP quality students; they are lazy and would be considered "normal" students where I am from.)</p>

<p>[/End Vent]</p>

<p>Quite understandable. I'm in a VERY similar situation, too. I too attend a huge public school filled with dum dums who could care less about an AP exam, and who, when probably asked, probably doesn't know what does AP stand for. Literally, no one passes APs in my school. NO ONE. NO ONE. But all of that is going to change. I have expressed my interest to the career counler and she really approves, though she told me to wait until after break and decide whether or not I will be still taking extra exams. I have not told many others, although I feel I will be getting surpised but doubtful reactions. But, alas, we have to do what we have to do.</p>

<p>Your counsler sounds really lazy. And even though you really didn't ask for advice, maybe try getting someone else to administer the exam for you. But is that possible? I don't know, but really calm down and laugh at something totally ridiculous.</p>

<p>ALL counselors say that you can't take AP exams without the course, but you can take the exam.</p>

<p>You should check with your school's AP coordinator to find out where you can take the test.</p>

<p>Personally, I have to find a school to take AP Macro and Cal BC.</p>

<p>I might go to another school in my school district for Cal BC(I already have to take Chem at that school), but I might have to go to another school dist. for Macro.</p>

<p>Bump!!! Any more thoughts?</p>

<p>This may be a bit off topic, but what school offers credit for Human Geography? </p>

<p>I don't see the point in taking it if you're not going to get credit in college and you're self studying.</p>

<p>Take it if you want, but I sort of agree with asinine. If you're going to spend the time studying for an AP test, why not devote your time to one colleges will appreciate more?</p>

<p>Starting my junior year, my school made it an official policy NOT to offer any AP test unless they offered the corresponding course. It was going to cause me a lot of inconvenience, until I found out that Stanford wouldn't take AP credit for the tests I wanted to take anyway.</p>

<p>UNC accepts credit for Human Geography with a 4 or a 5. </p>

<p>Has anyone considered that maybe I am just genuinely interested in the subject and would like to look into? </p>

<p>Everything is not always about tests! You can actually learn something without having some test to show for it! ;-) [I know I will be flamed for this, but I feel like it is something that needs to be said on these forums!]</p>

<p>Odd. My counselor encouraged me to self-study when I expressed interest, and she was happy to administer it. Then again, not all counselors are awesome.</p>

<p>"Then again, not all counselors are awesome."</p>

<p>Quoted for truth. In fact, too much truth. My counselor is pretty nice to me, but she has just never dealt with self-study AP exams. As I may have said, I go to a pretty poor school full of poor minority students who are struggling with high school. It's just a shock, I believe.</p>

<p>what a shame...</p>

<p>^</p>

<p>Is that sarcasm? Lol, I am just curious. The Internet doesn't convey sarcasm very well. ;-)</p>

<p>Wait what, your school pays the fee for you if you take the class?</p>

<p>Yes, I believe many school in North Carolina pay for the AP fee. :P</p>

<p>I am lucky in that regard!</p>

<p>
[quote]
Yes, I believe many school in North Carolina pay for the AP fee. :P

[/quote]

My county in NC will reimburse you if you make a 3 or higher. I have had to hound my counselor to sign me up for the APAH test at another school and to look into SATII math 2, and SATII World History. To be fair, she has never had to sign up any student for any test before.
(S/A)/(S/T)--> /sarcasm/ Go Bulldogs ;) /end sarcasm/</p>

<p>What an ape. How dare you ask her to do her job.</p>

<p>Take it anyways. She can't legally say 'No because I don't wanna'.</p>

<p>Yes, I know! It's ridiculous!
She is just giving me a hard time about it. She says there will be a security risks keeping the other AP exams in her office until I finish the AP Human Geography exam (because it is taken on a later date.) She says she could lose her job if the other AP exams got lost. Excuses ... excuses. I know that have to keep them in a safe place! Not in the freaking office!</p>

<p>LOL I would have been like "Well I guess you just will have to not lose it". and walked out.</p>

<p>
[quote]
She can't legally say 'No because I don't wanna'.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>In California, she sure can...ALL work conditions are covered by union contract.</p>

<p>^^</p>

<p>Teacher unionization is the death of teaching. Good thing North Carolina legislature mandates that teachers/educators cannot form unions!</p>