How do schools recognize self-study?

<p>I know that a college would recognize an AP that was self studied for through the AP exam score and the absence of the class from the transcript, but that is after you've been admitted they see that. What about on the common application or any other application? Is there a place to place the fact that you've self-studied for an AP exam. Self-studying requires great discipline so I figured such a feature should be on the app. Thank you!</p>

<p>You can put it in the section where it asks for your past AP/SAT scores–they’ll see that it wasn’t on your transcript and assume it was self-study I suppose.
If you’re taking it senior year, you can include it in the “Senior year courseload” section.
If you run out of room in either of those places or want to clarify, you can put it in the “additional info” section at the end of the common app</p>

<p>Do not put it in the “senior year courseload.” The colleges will get your transcript with first semester grades and wonder where all these courses are that you listed but aren’t taking. They’ll assume you’re a) lying or b) changed your schedule without telling them. Self-studying for an AP test is not at all the same as taking an AP class for a year. If you want I guess you can put it in the “additional info” section for tests you’re planning to take this year, but it will not help you at all. Anybody can say they’re self-studying tests, but in reality you are not at all obligated to even sign up for the tests in May, and admissions decisions will be made before you take the tests and way before you even get the results. For tests you’ve already taken just put it in the AP scores section, and I would note it again in “additional info” if you haven’t already used that space.</p>