I know it saves a lot of money once you’re in, but does it help your application if you self-study a lot of APs, and do well?
For example, taking 4 AP classes in school, getting As in all of them, then self-studying 5 other “easier” APs and getting 5s on all 9.
Does it help any more than just AP Scholar awards?
Also, what would colleges think of students who have little AP classes, but seem to get 5s on every single (15+) AP test he takes?
Thanks!
Well it is better than doing nothing, and it shows that you take initiative by learning material that you are interested in but not available at your school.
If you take little AP classes and your school offers a lot, then it doesn’t matter, it’ll look bad.
If you take the max amount of AP classes and then self-study some because you’re interested, then it will help only a tiny bit like I mentioned above.
Extracurricular activities, studying for standardized testing etc. would be a much better use of your time though.
I’ve actually heard the opposite, that self-studying for too many APs will look like you have nothing better to do with your time. Regardless, I’m going to self-study 2 AP Exams that relate to my prospective major so that I can use it for college credit.
@PartyNextDoor I didn’t say it would help much, I said it would help a tiny bit. I feel like it’s better than doing absolutely nothing though. Writing that you spent time learning college-level material is probably better than saying you spent time watching Netflix.
Sorry my post was not directed towards you, we posted at the same time.
Ultimately, it may just depend on the college. While people on CC say that it may look badly on an applicant, it may be different.
As an example, go to 0:42 in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-OLlJUXwKU
Self-studying APs will not help you gain admission. Quite the opposite- if you self-study in excess, it can negatively affect your application. Admissions officers from top schools have said they are NOT impressed by self-studying a bunch of APs and to not do so.
AP scores carry little to no weight in admissions as it is. They care about your grade in the class, not the exam. The exam score is used by the registrar for determining whether or not you’ll get college credit after you’ve been admitted and have decided where you are going.
If you take them Senior year, it makes no difference whatsoever because you will not have taken the AP tests by the time you are admitted.
If you took them Junior year, took the AP tests, and got 4s and 5s, it might help a teency bit…but not as much as the effort required. But if you are someone who can take AP courses, do well, self study more and do well, and do well on SAT and do great ECs, then you are a stand out candidate anyway.
So maybe take Dual Enrollment courses at your local CC/college instead, or get involved in some research if you have all that extra time.
College admissions are generally comparing apples to apples…GPA from classes and SAT/ACT. AP mostly only shows them the rigor of the classes…they don’t really use AP score info much at all…it is just to place you into the correct class in college.