I am currently a freshman considering independent study and self-studying for an AP course, yet I don’t know if it will be worth it or if I will be able to handle it. My current schedule is:
- Honors Conceptual Physics
- Honors English I
- Honors Geometry
- Honors Spanish I
- Health
- Physical Education (PE)
- Public Health Internship I (pilot course)
- Sacred Scriptures
- World History I
A couple of my peers are taking AP Human Geography, which is the course I was considering self-studying for. I could’ve taken it as well but chose the Public Health Internship course because I hope to become a surgeon, and the class exposed me to the field of medicine in a very innovative way. I have straight A’s (all 95+) and am #1 in my class. I also hold leadership positions in the school and was wondering if doing independent study (was considering BYU program) or self-studying for an AP test would be beneficial. I do believe I have the required time and dedication to handle this, yet I have not talked to my counselor about any of this, but so far, she’s supported me with what I’ve gone to her for.
Another worry of mine was my school’s pace in science. My sophomore year it’s required I take Biology (Regular or Honors) to then take AP Biology as a junior. I’d like to take AP Biology next year, so I don’t know if I should take Biology online, in summer, talk to my school to see if they’d push me up to AP for next year, or just rolling with their pace.
Any opinions or tips on my schedule or academic resumé would be greatly appreciated! I look forward to receiving your replies!
Why aren’t you taking AP Human Geography at your school? From what I see you already have a pretty rigorous schedule, but colleges would prefer to see you take the class at your school as opposed to self studying it.
There is no admissions benefit to self-studying AP tests (with some exceptions, like if you’re homeschooled or applying to colleges outside the United States). If the AP class is available at your school, you should take the class and the test, since colleges know that you will learn more from doing assignments created by teachers (papers, problem sets, labs, etc.) rather than studying on your own. If the class is not available, colleges don’t expect you to take it. They want you to take the most challenging classes available, which obviously depends on your school.
It doesn’t matter whether you take AP Biology as a sophomore, junior, or senior, so I would recommend just taking honors biology next year and AP as a junior.
If you were that interested, you should have taken it rather than world histoty. I agree with everyone else - self studying for an AP that your school offers is not really viewed positively. YOU have a good schedule, so enjoy your first year of high school.
While true, colleges are not going to fault a 13 y/o’s course selection that s/he made in the Spring of 8th grade.
Everybody is correct, it’s better to take the class. BUT APHG is really one of those “starter” AP classes. Few top private colleges will give credit for it. If the class works into your schedule, fine. If not, also fine. While you can certainly self study the material if you have a burning interest, colleges won’t give you bonus points for doing so.
Thank you for all your replies; I believe I missed some information in my first post.
In my school, you can only take one elective class in freshman and sophomore year. World History is a course I would’ve gladly substituted by APHG, but my school does not allow it. My elective course is Public Health Internship I, which I love since you get to work hands-on with patients. It’s a fantastic course, and I was planning to take the second part next year, yet I don’t know if I should substitute it for any AP course, of which my school offers most of. I was genuinely conflicting on this since I do believe I should have an AP class in sophomore year.
By the way, I’ve looked at the APHG material and do realize it’s a fairly “easy” course; I was mainly thinking to take it for a GPA boost.
Again, thanks for all your replies! Look forward to receiving more!
Self-studying an AP exam would not affect your GPA unless you somehow arranged that with your school. In any case, colleges will be mostly concerned with your grades in core classes (English, math, etc.) regardless of your actual GPA.
No, don’t do it.
Colleges are much more interested in classes you take in HS.
Also they don’t expect freshman to take AP courses.
Spend your time doing well in your HS classes and find an extracurricular that you love.
@StudiousHPC , it comes across, even here, that you made a choice of elective that really excites you. That’s what an education is all about. I’ve always found that a coherent story emerges out of a path that follows interests/passions. If you’re still liking this so much at the end of the year, take the second part. Stay open to where it may lead you. Maybe you’ll decide to study a foreign language so that you can talk to a group of patients, maybe a summer class in nutrition or anatomy, maybe shadowing a doc – who knows? This sounds like a good road for you. Genuine interest almost always creates its own next step without too much of a struggle.
Based on your replies I think I won’t be self-studying APHG. What about independent study or online school though? Should I venture and do some extra credits or just focus on what I currently have on my plate?
I made another discussion about this, but I was considering starting a pre-medicine club (possibly HOSA) or a Mu Alpha Theta chapter in my school. I conflict again here because I believe Mu Alpha Theta is a more prestigious club, but I already belong to the school’s math competition team and would be passionate about a medicine club. Don’t get me wrong though; I love math as well.
I also split on if founding a club affiliated with an international organization is better than doing it independently; I do know starting a chapter is easier than establishing a club from scratch, yet I don’t know which has benefits above the other. For my medicine club, I was thinking about talking to local hospitals, doctors, medical schools, and other institutions to arrange conferences, volunteering opportunities, and internship opportunities for interested students. I also considered bringing a HOSA chapter to my school due to the easiness of establishing it, yet I don’t know if it’s exactly what I want. I know by starting an independent medicine club I’d be able to provide grand opportunities to my school peers, yet fear this may go unnoticed on my academic resumé.
I know I’ve changed the topic a bit but what do you guys think about this? Should I start a medicine club on my own or bring a Mu Alpha Theta or a HOSA chapter to school? Thanks for your replies so far; they’ve helped me out greatly!
Why don’t you do the public health internship this year, keeping your eyes open for “gaps”. Maybe you will find a group who would benefit from something you can offer. Perhaps you will see where a lecture series or conference could address a topic of interest that your program misses.
I recall a group at my son’s school who visited a senior community every week. At one point, they were talking about Muslims and Islamaphobia. They had a number of Muslim classmates, so they arranged for them to come and talk about Islam in general but also to share their experiences as Muslims. IT was really well received by both parties, so they did these “listening sessions” in a number of other venues. BUT this came up only because someone was on the ground and saw the need. I know you are interested in creating a college resume, and it sounds like you are putting yourself in s good place to do something meaningful. Schools are looking for engagement. Clubs are a wayof demonstrating that, but only one way.
@gardenstategal I am taking the course this year, but we are currently in the orientation phase. The first outing should be soon though. The class will split into three groups of 3 students; each group will be assigned a patient to work with for a year. Our goal is to better the patient’s quality of life and perform their regular check-ups. We’re all on our own; the school drops us off at the patient’s house, so we had to receive a lot of orientation. I’ll look for opportunities within the course, yet want to start a club and am undecided between the options I stated two posts above. Thank you for your reply; appreciated your experiences!
