Questions about self-studying AP at a school that doesn't offer AP

<p>A bit about me</p>

<p>Next year I will be a senior at a high school doesn't offer AP courses but instead offers dual-enrollment courses with a state university. So far I've taken the hardest classes I can, but I'm beginning to be held back by a lack of college-level courses. For example, I signed up for Calculus next year, but because there are only 2 other students in the school that have signed up for it, it looks like I won't have the opportunity to take it. This, plus schedule conflicts with other courses, has seriously limited my ability to enroll in the more challenging courses.</p>

<p>I plan to apply to schools like Northwestern University for Electrical/Computer Engineering, so I want to have some prior work in subjects like Calculus to ensure that I'm not too far behind everyone else. It would also be nice to have a few AP scores to spruce up my app a bit.</p>

<p>The actual questions</p>

<ol>
<li><p>What should I do to sign up for the AP exams next year? None of my guidance counselors know what to do about signing up for the exams since there aren't any schools in my city that have AP courses.</p></li>
<li><p>Would I be able to list APs that I'm currently self-studying on my college applications, even though I haven't taken the exams yet? I'm not going to take the exams solely for a bonus to my application, but it would be nice to receive some sort of recognition for it.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you have any specific advice about self-studying AP Calculus AB or BC? I'm not sure which level I'll have enough time to prepare for, but I know I can handle either one. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>That's all for now. Thanks!</p>

<p>1)for my school, it does not have any ap science courses, but i took ap chem and bio this year. I think you can ask your counselors to order the test for you, try to recruit as many people as possible to take it with you
2) no unless you actaully have taken or are taking the real AP courses offered at your school
3) it’s easier to start off with AB , for the multiple choice , you can buy the D&s book, and you can practice the actual essay questions on college board website
50% of the BC is AB</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I’m pretty sure collegeboard.com has ways that students from schools without AP classes can register: [Registering</a> for AP Courses & AP Exams](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Register for AP Exams – AP Students | College Board)</p></li>
<li><p>Colleges will only see your actual AP test grades, although during the exams, there’s a survey question that asks whether you self-studied or were homeschooled.</p></li>
<li><p>I purchased Barron’s AP Calculus which covers material from both Calc AB and BC. If you find BC too difficult or if you think you won’t have enough time to study the BC material, I’d advise you to take the AB test.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Already answered.</p></li>
<li><p>You can self-report self-studied courses for some universities.</p></li>
<li><p>Buy a textbook. I suggest Thomas/Finney Calculus 9th, it’s out of print so buying it used is cheap. Or Stewarts. Supplement it with MIT OCW 8.01 single variable calculus (Google it :)), they are lectures for both AB and BC, doesn’t exactly all fit perfectly though.
Also, I self-studied BC using Princeton Review for a month and I can say that the test was fairly easy. However, be focused :)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I’m taking six AP’s this year, and four are self-studied. I’ve had to drive an hour and a half away in order to take them. And of course, all colleges will accept a score regardless of whether you took an actual class or not. Google ‘ap ledger’, type in schools around you, and for ones that have the ap’s in which you want to take, call their coordinator and see if they’ll order a test for you. That’s what I had to do…</p>