Hello!
This is my first post on CC, and I am honored to be apart of such a great community of those who are truly interested in their education!
That being said, I am in a dilemma. I attend a very small, rural high school that has very few educational opportunities (it is a school very much focuses on football- ha). There are no AP classes, only two dual-enrollment classes, and no honors courses.
However, I have had Ivy League Aspirations for a long time, and I am a very dedicated student. I am first in my class, president of my class, Involved in Math Club, Science Club, Beta Club, I have taken special interests in our HOSA club, since I want to study medicine. I volunteer regularly in our Anchor Club.I have co-founded the Poetry Society, and I sing in our Choir. I also have a 4.0. I am currently a Sophomore.
I do not need to be lectured on the very small acceptance rate at Ivy Leagues; I just need some advice on taking AP classes.
Since my school does not offer them, should I take them online? I’m very interested in taking them, for their college-credit and the dual-credit I’ll receive at my school for taking them. I know that I have the option to self-study, but I would not receive the dual-credit at my school if I did not take an actual class.
Also- If i begin taking AP courses now and throughout my summer, will I still be able to score successfully on the final AP exam nearly a year later in May? Please, if you have any advice, it would be highly appreciated!
lostinbooks14
Schools will not punish you for not taking what isn’t offered to you; universities will see you for what you took that was available. However, if you really want to show colleges that you Have the initative to go above and beyond what opportunities you have, talk to your counselor about possibly taking AP courses online (I’ve heard of Florida Link Virtual School as an option) or possibly studying them independently. Just note that if you self-study AP exams, you will be taking the exams without them appearing on your transcript and colleges will only see your results when you go to use your potential AP credit to pass out of classes, thus your AP classes/exams won’t affect admissions unless you have a high school grade for them.
Ultimately you will be compared to other applicants from your school, so with your 4.0, taking the hardest classes offered to you, and extensive extracurriculars list, you’re already a sizable candidate for an Ivy, especially if you’re still on track to become valedictorian by the end of senior year. Just note you don’t have to take AP classes online or anything, but the option does exhibit leadership and extra drive that competitive schools want.
If online options aren’t available to you, consider looking at taking extra courses at your local community college or four-year school, as like you said before, the dual-enrollment credit will transfer. Just be sure you can either afford the tuition or you live in a state/district where dual enrollment is paid for (my state—Wisconsin—pays for up to 18 credits). Once again, definitely make sure to talk to your high school counselor to explore all of your local options. You’re on a great track!
Fool! Trying to get into an Ivy without having cured a pandemical disease! Blasphemy!
In all seriousness, however, I generally agree with the above. I believe taking APs online, at least ones you feel confident in learning in an online environment where you will have to be self-disciplined and motivated to learn independently, is a good way to not only to learn more (I doubt regular-only classes are serving you well) but also to impress universities as a happy side effect of going above and beyond to challenge yourself.
I would not suggest self-studying any either, as without receiving credit the point is essentially lost save for the knowledge gained.
FYI - your guidance counselor will send a high school report to all your colleges, which explains what courses were offered, and states that you took the hardest course load possible.