<p>I'm currently a junior looking to apply to Yale early action, as well as some other top-tier schools. </p>
<p>A lot of kids in my school have been self-studying a bunch of easy AP exams, and I am only taking four (the four from which I actually took the AP class). Last year, I took AP Chem and self-studied Music Theory, which amounts to 6 total on my college application senior year. My senior courseload consists of 5 AP classes, but the scores from those AP exams won't appear on my app. Will it hurt me in the admissions process that I didn't find a bunch of random AP exams to take junior year?</p>
<p>In terms of background info, I have a 4.0, 2380 SAT, 800s on a couple subject tests, and some unique ECs with leadership and several awards.</p>
<p>Nah, dude. As long as you’re taking the most rigorous coursework possible at your school you’ll be fine. I mean obviously it doesn’t mean you’ll for sure get in but it won’t hurt your chances if you haven’t taken 10 AP exams before senior year.</p>
<p>man… u srs? i envy</p>
<p>Shyams, at this point you have proven yourself in terms of testing. With schools like Yale and other highly selective colleges, once you have the kind of GPA and test scores you currently have, you “move on” to the next round, so to speak. At this point, you would do better to focus your time on achievements that others in the applicant pool WON’T have. Let your classmates self-study for “a million” AP exams, while you do some truly remarkable things. Follow your passions, aim high, think outside the box, and good luck!</p>
<p>Of course not. I encouge you to NOT do this. A friend from my high school got into Northwestern with only 1 AP (out of the 4 that we offer). Not saying you shouldn’t push yourself, but don’t kill yourself because you think you won’t get in.</p>
<p>Just like christinapreps said, you should focus more on out-of-school activities (ECs, hobbies, competitions, eventually essays and rec letters) to improve your chances at getting admitted into the top schools. Applicants with ~15 AP’s, 2400’s on SATs, and a 5.2 GPA but with nothing else on their application can still get rejected.</p>