<p>Not knowing the zealous efforts College Board undergoes to protect its AP program, I put down my independent study classes for Calculus BC and Macroeconomics as AP Calculus BC and AP Macroeconomics on my secondary school report, and they have and will appear on my transcript as IS/AP Calculus BC and IS/AP Macroeconomics, with the IS denoting they are independent study classes. I thought the designation of AP was fair, considering the material I covered followed suggested AP syllabi on AP Central, and I contacted with teachers who are authorized for AP in other subjects (Calculus AB for Calculus BC, and US History for Macroeconomics). I did not receive a weighted grade the independent classes, so they were AP in name only, which, as I stated, thought was reasonable considering their subject material. However, a perusal of AP Central has me concerned I could be really messed up (this is where my nescience regarding College Board's protection policy comes in) , because when trying to get a free AP Macroeconomics test, I noticed that it was only open to AP Audit authorized teachers. A deeper look revealed that teachers had to authorize AP course with College Board, which I thought did make sense for a larger class. Although this has the potential to be an issue, what was particularly concerning was the statement "no school may designate a class AP on their transcript if it has not been audit authorized by College Board", or something to that effect. I looked up my school, and unsurprisingly, neither Calculus BC or Macroeconomics was there - only the four classes offered. Considering the school had sent out transcripts that stated AP Calculus BC and AP Macroeconomics, I thought that this would be a major issue, since the "courses" were not audited by College Board. Consequently, I began worrying about the implications this would have with my admissions future. I couldn't help imagining an admissions committee looking at my transcript and wondering why I have more AP classes there and listed than my school even offers, or is allowed to offer, and then rejecting me outright due to concerns over fraud.</p>
<p>The independent studies are technically "intern periods", in that the student works with a teacher on a set course material, this course is named, and entered into the transcript like a regular class. In essence, I talked with the AP Calculus and AP US History teacher at the beginning of each trimester, and we determined what I would study. I guide everything and am responsible for learning, while they monitor and give a grade based on their assessment of my work. I think the grading has been conducted objectively, to answer that question should it arise. The primary purpose of this is to say that the independent studies, while entered like a regular class, are not proper classes as College Board indicates should be audited before being offered and designated as AP classes.</p>
<p>My dilemma is what I should do to rectify this situation. To me, the only feasible solutions are leaving it how it is, or notifying the colleges that the classes were named AP to indicate their material, and that they aren't true AP classes offered by the school. On one hand, I do have a strong argument that the AP label merely indicates the course material in a more accurate manner, and isn't technically an AP designation because the course is likewise referred to as an independent study on the transcript. The treatment of the class as a regular class, rather than a AP class, in the GPA calculation further corroborates this point, as does the nature of the class' implementation as a constructed independent study, rather than a school-wide offered course. However, I really am concerned about a misunderstanding or rejection based off of this, because I know I can't afford excessive scrutiny, and don't want to be quickly rejected over something which is an honest mistake. Simultaneously, though, I do not want to make it look to colleges like I didn't do any research before embarking on these studies, because that would likewise lead to scrutiny and a potential litany of negative perceptions.</p>
<p>My question is what should I do? The possibility I am overstressed and worrying over something insignificant has not escaped my mind, so that may be the case. However, I'm inclined to still believe this is an issue, and an issue I don't know how to solve. Any constructive and appropriate input would be appreciated, and as always I apologize for the lengthiness of this post.</p>