<p>Hey guys! I really want to apply to good schools, but I'm a US citizen being homeschooled abroad so it's caused me some problems!</p>
<p>My GPA's about 3.9, should stay the same by the time I 'graduate', and I've been studying the AP curriculum, but I can't take the AP exam because where I live, it costs $550 per exam (idk why, maybe cause they have to send it internationally or smth...) and I can't afford that :/ I did note on my transcript that I did study kind of the AP curriculum, but I guess when you're a homeschooled student colleges place more emphasis on standardized testing right? I did take the SATs (1470/2120) and I'm going to take SAT II's in June.</p>
<p>I'm just wondering if not taking the AP exams will seriously hurt my admission chances, and also because I've read that colleges look for students who take the most rigorous courseload possible, and since on a homeschool transcript apparently I can't declare an AP course, will my courseload be considered rigorous then?</p>
<p>I have pretty good ec's (national/district awards) and a few other awards, and a couple of international-level awards, and lots of community service, if it counts as a hook I'm asian.</p>
<p>Anybody think it's realistic for me to be applying to schools like NYU (stern) or UMich (ross)?</p>
<p>THANKS :D</p>
<p>My DD is homeschooled and has just completed her college admissions process, so I am familiar with many college requirements.</p>
<p>Just do well on your SAT Subject exams and do 2-4 of them. AP’s scores are not required for Homeschooled applicants. SAT II Subject exams are required or at least highly recommended. It is not worth the $ for AP exams based on your situation. </p>
<p>Also, some courses you can claim as AP level. For example, many of the Saxon Math courses are AP level courses and you could refer to them as such on your transcripts. Just read over each textbook course decription to see how they describe the coursework.</p>
<p>Thanks BluePoodle! 
Best of luck to your daughter on her college applications, I hope she gets accepted to her dream college! :)</p>
<p>I will be taking 3 SAT II’s, so thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>Did your daughter take CLEP exams? They’re available in my area for the same price as SATs, so I was wondering if they would be a good way to demonstrate academic rigor and prove that I’m stretching myself! The college I hope to apply to does accept CLEP credit transfer, but would it help if I included it on college applications?</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>Your welcome. No, my daughter never tool clep exams. Really only because she was not sure where she would be attending college. Clep is more difficult to accept if you are not taking it at the location you are planning to apply to, at least that is my understanding. If you know where you plan to apply and feel you are going to have a decent shot at acceptance, then yes, taking Clep might be beneficial to reduce the number of general classes in college. </p>
<p>That being said, I did not feel that sharing clep scores was important to your application or transcript for acceptances to colleges. SAT, SAT II Subjects exams, ACT scores and perhaps AP again if you score a 4 or 5. But I still dont feel the AP scores were necessary. </p>
<p>My DD did not have any AP scores to share…only the standard awards, clubs, EC’s, service hours…those type things. She will be attending Case Western Reserve University. It was a match school for her. She did have a few others she would have preferred to have the choice to attend…she was not accepted to them…but really it was more because of location (warmer climates) and because she is low income she would have had her financial need met 100% loan free. Case is actually a great fit for her in personality, size and educationally. So she is very happy to be able to attend. Good luck!</p>
<p>I attended a Admissions talk for homeschoolers a few nights ago, and a Princeton admissions rep was there. She has been in Admissions at Princeton for 23 years, and she directly addressed this question. She said that funding for AP tests has recently been reduced and that will mean many students who take the courses cannot afford the tests. She also talked a lot about TELLING them what you are doing in your homeschool and why you do this or that. Having heard that talk, if I were in your shoes, I would find a place in your application to briefly explain that an AP test overseas for you costs $550 and you couldn’t justify such a large expense. They will be completely understanding, regardless of which school, and I think SAYING something about it shows that you would have taken it if you could. They will respect that.</p>
<p>Absolutely! Great comments, SmileAMile. Tell your unique story, OP, the one that only you can tell.</p>
<p>(Parent of a homeschooled S admitted to Princeton)</p>
<p>Actually, if you are willing to go to a school that gives AP tests to do a financial aid form for help with those test fees, you might get a waiver. I was not willing to do that because the schools here are hostile to homeschoolers, but it is an option. I think it has to be some kind of designated AP test center. However, there are two private schools near us who give AP tests, and I may have been able to go to one of them to get the waiver. Not sure. Call the College Board and ask them. AP scores can be very helpful to homeschoolers because they are objective and admissions committees can compare them apples for apples to those of other students. They get a little nervous when they can’t compare what you are doing to what other students are doing. So, it helps to give them things they know.</p>