<p>I come from a very small school (my class size is about 50); it offers no honors/AP classes, although I am taking the strongest college preparatory program available in the course offerings, along with several classes from a nearby community college. My state does offer an AP online academy, and I'm wondering if Ivy Leagues (especially Harvard) would frown upon taking AP classes online. I really don't know what else to do; APs would really boost my application for next year. Someone give me feedback!</p>
<p>Harvard and Yale seem to give a great deal of credit in the admissions process to those applicants from resource-poor settings who have taken unusual measures (such as community college and online APs) to get the academic challenge that's not offered in their schools.</p>
<p>definitely the classes at a local college idea sounds good. the online ap's....ehhh i don't know what to think.</p>
<p>Our daughter took a couple of online AP courses, and as a result of their rigor, did very well on the exams in those subjects (and got in, but I am not saying that the courses had anything to do with it, because I have no idea). The online courses were pretty demanding. </p>
<p>A word of warning: the grades for online courses can be lower than grades in a "real" class. The tests appeared to be comprised of questions that students got wrong on the AP exams, or at least that is how it seemed. No grading for in class participation or projects or other things that might diversify the grade options in a class. There were lots of essays, and very tricky multiple choice tests and exams.</p>
<p>The actual AP exams were much easier than the online course exams!</p>
<p>If local college courses are available and convenient, I think they might be a better option, but if you are limited in time and the college is some distance, then online courses really are a fine way to go.</p>