<p>Some students and I petitioned to start a computing class (comp sci) in our school. Denied cuz we didnt have enough students as school policy requires min 10. Well, i decided to self study and give the A level board exam. Im currently learning C++(prior knowledge present), python, and visual basic. Basically, US kids can think of it like this. I self taught myself AP Computer Science and am going to give the AP exam.</p>
<p>I mean, it’s great to see you’re trying hard, and that’s def a plus. But impressive? No. I’ve seen tons of schoolmates and friends who studied AP exams on their own and got 5 on them. I def shows you are a hardworking person, studying AP on your own is kinda “regular”. Something that would impress them as “academically-talent” would be more like winning the first place for a very competitive international science fair / olympiad or putting your research paper on a famous science magazine or so… Anything else–getting 2400 on SAT, straight As on AP classes, studying AP on your own and getting 5, or any of this sort–makes you a solid applicant for the top schools, but not outstanding…</p>
<p>Does it at least show passion for what i wanna do?</p>
<p>No. It only shows your passion to try to impress the admission officers.</p>
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<p>Absolutely. It shows initiative and passion. In several very academic (private) high schools with which I’m familiar very few students take the kind of initiative that you’re planning to take. It will definitely help your application. You can magnify the impact if you can find a faculty adviser in your school to help guide you, as to possibly suggest a meaningful project that uses C++ or Python etc. and to possibly validate your effort.</p>
<p>Wow, Bornemissza is just a bit jelly eh?
I think it’s BS if anyone tells you its not impressive. You’re taking the time to self study a class that isn’t even there and GIVE, not just take, the exam.</p>
<p>It’s nice but in terms of propelling you to the top of a pile in some Ivy league admissions committee room, it’s “meh”.</p>
<p>The kids who are doing the jaw-dropping activities outside of school? They aren’t turning around and asking people if it “looks” anything. They are just devoted. Perhaps you just haven’t seen anyone in that category.</p>
<p>Sorry but my kid’s 15hr/week rigorous athletic practices on top of another 15 hrs/wk homework are not to look impressive to anyone. It’d take chaining her to the furnace to keep her from it. I wouldn’t be too far off to say she is probably one of the top one or two most athletic women at her huge suburban high school. And she doesn’t care if a single soul noticed.</p>
<p>@jmoney22. Hahaha I cracked up reading your message. And Muhammad, his point is you take tests, such as the sat or act or ap tests. Not give them. Unless you are literally watching other people take them and supervising them.</p>
<p>^ In some countries or even areas, people ‘write’ or ‘give’ tests and exams. I don’t know where the OP is from, but as a Canadian, I write tests. </p>
<p>The American way is not the only way, and I mean that in the friendliest way possible.</p>
<p>^ur right. Over here, people would laugh if u said im taking the test because by saying youre taking the test, ur saying that youre administering it. To say youre giving the test means your going to write and submit it. So its the other way around in America, than from here</p>
<p>@T26E4. I didnt mean it like that. I juat wanted to know if it was something notable.</p>