<p>My school does not offer many AP classes so I've had to self-study a few (AP Chem, Comp Sci, Physics) and done well in those tests, but I've heard that colleges don't necessarily use AP tests as a factor in admissions (rather as a way of skipping classes). How can I show that I am competent in those subjects if I can't take a class in my school for them?</p>
<p>My son graduated a year ago from high school, and took 14 AP classes. It did not seem to do him much good, in the college admissions process. He got waitlisted at a lot of schools.</p>
<p>If you are not yet a senior, one suggestion is to take a virtual AP class, on line.</p>
<p>For example, it is my understanding that kids from all over your state could take an AP course on-line.</p>
<p>Look into that.</p>
<p>You can ask if you can get it noted on your transcript (the process for this may vary from school to school), and if you can then it shows that you do additional work outside the regular curriculum.</p>
<p>Also, taking SAT subject tests in those areas and scoring highly is a good way to show competence in a variety of subjects.</p>
<p>Colleges look to see if you took the rigorous schedule available at your school. Just make sure you are taking the AP classes that your school offers.</p>
<p>The AP tests only help in receiving credit at the college you attend. Each school has their own rules about the scores and number of courses they will accept.</p>
<p>Fly Me:</p>
<p>I doubt that what you say is often true.</p>
<p>Does a college that gets thousands of applications, and often 25 applications for each available spot, really spend the time to look at each application to analyze how many AP courses are available at a particular high school?</p>
<p>I doubt it.</p>
<p>You presume a fairness in life that I doubt exists.</p>
<p>It’s hard to say. Every college (at least every college my son applied to) asked for a school profile. In that it explains the high school’s grading policy, whether the rank, what the %'s mean ie; top 5%, top 10%, and what APs are offered. If your school offers 30 AP classes than I think the expectation for APs is pretty high. Our HS only offers about 8…so if a kid graduates with 3…it’s fine. </p>
<p>I still don’t understand why kids are graduating with more APs than ever…and colleges still can’t seem to graduate kids in the four years. It’s puzzling to me.</p>