So I’m a sophomore from the fringe-rural Midwest. I am fascinated by math and physics, and since around 7th grade I have been reading textbooks to learn those things at my own pace. Would colleges care about this at all? For reference, I get straight As, so it’s not like my schoolwork has diminished in quality because of shifting priorities or anything.
Also, my school has not allowed me to test out of classes that I know the material for, and I don’t think my teachers know about my reading, so if colleges do care about it, how would I prove that I’ve been doing self directed study?
I have a feeling they don’t care much. it’s more important that you are able to navigate the dynamics of a class, with a teacher to interact with and participation and collaboration…
this is not based on any real knowledge or research, just my opinion. It’s how I would feel if I was an admissions officer.
Also just opinion here too, but I think my daughter’s self-directed study helped her. She self studied (eventually with a tutor) Italian, Russian, Latin, and linguistics. Her dean mentioned it when speaking to her during her first semester, so it definitely made an impression.
If you can take a Subject Test or AP to prove you got something from the independent study that would help a great deal.
It’s a great EC. Could be a great essay… Depending…
If you really think you know the material, like your bored in class. Then ask if you can take last year’s or previous years final, before the class starts. If you do well then at least maybe the teacher will give you more challenging work if they can’t move you up… Make sense?