<p>Hello all - D is scheduled will finish with 6 APs after her upcoming senior year. She wants to add one more in her senior year to get to 7 and be more competitive for admission to UVA. </p>
<p>She likes pyschology as a subject and is considering adding AP Pysch online, which is only a half year AP. </p>
<p>Our question is whether UVA or other selective schools look at half year AP courses such as Pysch as just half an AP? In other words, would she finish with "6.5" APs in the eyes of admissions officers (vice "7" APs).</p>
<p>Alternative would taking a full year AP (only other option may be AP Spanish Lit, which may be a struggle but doable).</p>
<p>Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you</p>
<p>I would say no. They look at what your school offers; if your school only offers half a semester they will not look down on the student because of what the school fails to offer.</p>
<p>I do not remember there being a spot for number of AP classes taken. However, the Common App does ask how many AP test taken. If you complete the AP class then you completed it. Whether you finish in 1 or 2 semesters should not matter.</p>
<p>AP Spanish Lit could be useful since you must take a foreign language placement exam prior to your 1st year.</p>
<p>I think your daughter should take the class she is most interested in. You do record your full senior schedule on the Common App and if you show that AP Psych is 1 semester it may raise a question. I suggest noting ( in the additional information section on the app) that the course offered at your school is online and takes place in only one semester. </p>
<p>Does her high school recognize this online course? Have you spoken with her counselor regarding this possible addition? It is best to keep them in the loop and get their input. Many online courses that are recognized by a high school towards a GPA have certain guidelines set in place by the school. Some are fine for a student to take it on their own. Others require a student to take it during a designated course time that will occur during in school hours.</p>
<p>I’m assuming based on your username you are Virginia residents. Will your daughter be participating in Virginia’s Virtual High School or a Virtual High School offered through her county? Either way, if the course is a full year (earning one credit) offered online completed in a semester your daughter should receive the same academic consideration as if the class was a full year taken in the classroom. </p>
<p>If you want a ‘Dean J worthy answer’ (which I do not blame you in the least) I would suggest calling the admissions office tomorrow and asking to speak with Dean of the Day. I’m sure she reads this board quite frequently however this may be a more direct way to ask and also allow you to immediately ask any follow up questions if you need clarification.</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter during the admissions season and her senior year!</p>
<p>note: I crossed posts with woosah. I would agree that if the course is not through VaVHS or your county VHS your daughter should be closely coordinating through her GC.</p>
<p>yes, the course is sponsored by the County so it will be part of her transcript. since it is extra to her in class schedule, though, we will have to pay for it.</p>
<p>Collegeboard doesnt seem to consider it any different than the other APs. </p>
<p>It is shown though as half a year course in terms of HS graduation credit. that is the only thing that gives me pause. </p>
<p>Safest thing for her to do may be to take AP Pysch in fall and also take AP Macroeconomics, which is a half year in the spring.</p>
<p>^ I would ask the GC if the students are fully prepared to take the AP exam in May and if the instruction is different academically then a full year in the class (despite the obvious difference that one is online and one is in the class). It is very common for county sponsored classes that are a full year credit to be completed in a semester online with VHS. I know many kids who took advantage of this to fulfill academic requirements so they could make room for more AP classes in their regular schedule, or DE at speciality high schools in Virginia. After you find out from your GC if the credit will be any different then a year’s course in the classroom you could pose the question to UVa admissions. Your daughter can then weigh her options.</p>
<p>I think ad coms knwo that AP Psychology, even it’s a full-year, in class is not in the same league as other APs as it is considered “easy”. So, if she wants another AP, go for the real one!</p>
<p>I can’t imagine the admissions office cares between 6.5 vs. 7 APs. However, what is important is not taking a schedule that is so burdensome that you cannot do well within it and cannot keep your sanity</p>
<p>@ crazydad - If the student already has 6 APs on their schedule I hardly think they need to worry that the 6th AP in line (which they are adding in addition to their regular schedule as an online class) will be considered lightweight. Certainly this is just my opinion.</p>