I am planning to take AP Computer Science A in my sophomore year, but I am not sure whether my school would allow it. If it is allowed, I will take it in school. If it is not, I would have to take it online. I am also planning to take AP Computer Science Principles and AP Environmental Science online.
If I take a course online, is it important to talk to my guidance counselor to place it on my transcript? Is it enough to mention it on my college applications?
I do plan to take the AP Tests for each one, and get 5s. Is the course more important or is the test more important?
Also if anyone has any experience with taking online AP classes and taking the test or placing it on the transcript, please give me some advice!
Almost every university will ask that you have the online institution send a transcript separately from your high school transcript, as they want to be in receipt of a transcript from every transcript-issuing institution. Some high schools will fold that grade into your transcript, and have it be reflected there, and some will, with prior permissions, also fold the grade into your GPA.
You will need to speak with someone at your high school to know for sure how this is going to be handled.
As for studying and learning independently in an online course, you will need to know your learning style and understand whether you need a course which is strictly self-paced, and allows you to work whenever you wish to work, (asynchronous instruction), or whether the structure of a set time parameter wherein you and the other enrolled students are receiving instruction at the same time, each time you study (synchronous instruction) is best.
The discipline and study habits you know yourself to exhibit, and not fanciful ideas of a your best self, will be useful in helping you to know what is truly right for you.
Family support is also important for self-study/online courses: will you have a dedicated space and time alone to do what you need, with the family members respecting that your study time is fixed and must be done? Can you find a space to make this happen even if the family home is not the best place?
Remember to expect a solid grade outside of any pressure you place on yourself to pass an AP exam. Both will be looked at as evidence of your initiative and intellectual and academic curiosity.
I would think, as my daughter did this, that you can specifically request of the Office of the Registrar of any college or program that transcript be submitted whenever you need it (and you pay whatever their fee is for doing so).
Best to ask of the program directly. They have a standard statement of policies listed on their websites and literature, but calling and speaking to a person and asking about the exact nature of what you foresee as your request will give you the best information about how well they can meet your need.
You can also ask your high school guidance office if they would be willing to be in receipt of an official, sealed transcript from your online program upon completion, and submit copies of that accompanied by your school’s seal for verification of authenticity. This may complicate the issue of whether they will want to incorporate the grade into your transcript, but you don’t seem to know this for sure yet.
