<p>I'm self-studying one AP this year and two next year. I know that I'm only taking the exams, but how do colleges know I never took a class? Or rather, how do I let them know?</p>
<p>It would be somewhat obvious if you do not have a corresponding course grade listed on your transcript, right :)?</p>
<p>You can mention it on your resume. Your college counselor can also bring it up in your rec letter, too.</p>
<p>Admission interviews, plenty of places on the Common App to put that in if the school uses a supplement, Recommendations…</p>
<p>You could also take the corresponding SAT Subject Test to demonstrate your proficiency with the material.</p>
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<p>Haha, I never thought about that, Calico :D</p>
<p>As for the corresponding course grade:</p>
<p>Yes that works but it might not be immediately noticeable. I doubt adcoms are scouring through the APs and looking for the respective courses in ur transcript to find out whether u self studied</p>
<p>Sure, they might notice but then again, they may look over it.</p>
<p>^I think they will notice. The transcript is one of the pieces of your application that the adcom will pay the most attention to, and they will certainly take note of the rigor of your courseload, the type of classes offfered at your school, and what the top students at your school typically take in each school year. If you are worried that your self studying will somehow be overlooked, you can always specically ask your counselor to drop a note about it in her/his reccomendation.</p>
<p>^ Yes, in the most basic sense, the transcript is the most valuable piece of information available to a university. However, elite colleges will often view academic performance and course rigor in relative context or, in some instances, simply depart from more ordinary standards.</p>
<p>When you apply during your senior year, you may wish to include your cumulative AP score report as a supplemental piece of material to substantiate your self-studying experience.</p>