<p>My daughter just learned that she did not get into the AP English class next year and is quite upset. Is it possible to self-study or take a class at a community college? I found a few on-line courses but they are for home-schooled students. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks</p>
<p>if she didn't get in, she didn't get in. i find it that schools are usually correct in their departmental evaluations (i have had experiences as well, its sad but you have to live up to school rules). IF she is very interested in English ask her to talk to her current english teacher, personally if english isn't her forte there is no use in self-studying a course that is being taught at your own school, it shows weakness. the fact you took self-studied a course when it was taught at your school may result in admisn thinking u bailed out to tkae an easiuer course for a higher gpa</p>
<p>^ i dont agree with the above person, but alas i have to start getting ready for school soon so i'll post more later</p>
<p>...my basic idea though: see if you can fight it, if a parent gets involved the school will usually yield</p>
<p>I look forward to your comments. This isn't a case of sour grapes. She is a very good student and is very strong in English. She is going to talk to the teacher to find out why she did not get in. She is in a very competitive class and there are many kids equally qualified (more than positions in the class). However, it does appear that there was a bias in favor of the kids who currently have the department head as a teacher. So, basically, she was one of the odd-men out. There likely is no room in the class so some thoughts I had for her are: 1. take an online class, 2. see if she can on her own study the material and take the AP exam next year or 3. take a college level course over the summer at one of the community colleges. I just wonder if any of these option are even feasible. Unfortunately, the classes she will have to take in place are probably harder than the AP class and she will not get the benefit of an AP class.</p>
<p>At our high school the process for being accepted to honors English (our schoool does not offer AP) is very subjective. There have been incidents where very qualified students have been rejected and then appealed and got in. In the past we only had one class of honors English and now they routinely offer two. I know that several students every year take the AP English Language and/or Ap English Literature test. If you go to the college board site, you can learn about both tests.</p>
<p>If I understand you, then, students take an honors level course, but then are allowed to take the AP English exam. What has been your school's experience. Have the students done well on the AP exam. Thanks</p>
<p>You do not have to take the course to take the AP exam.</p>
<p>CollegeBoard.com
"Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the AP Examination if I haven't taken an AP course?
Yes. Because the College Board is committed to providing access to the AP Exams to homeschooled students and students whose schools do not offer AP it does not require students to take an AP course prior to taking an AP Exam. </p>
<p>The College Board urges students to study the kinds of skills and subjects outlined in the Course Description for each subject, because they represent the basis for the AP Examination. The best way to do so is in a year-long AP course in which the students and teachers focus on AP-level work. Some students, however, have taken strong courses and/or have studied in depth on their own. Such students may be able to perform quite well on the AP Exam."</p>
<p>I took the AP English Language test last year. My school doesn't offer AP English until senior year, so 2 of us took the test. It would be a bit of an exaggeration to say I "self-studied"- I was taking an English class with the best teacher in the school, and I did nothing on my own outside of class, but it went pretty well. If your daughter is strong in English and can explicate prose quickly, accurately, and reasonably eloquently, I'm sure she'd be fine taking the test. </p>
<p>I'm not sure if you're referring to AP Language or AP Lit (which I'm taking this year), but if I can answer any questions, PM me.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the prompt responses. I can't wait to let her know that she has some options.</p>
<p>My son also took the AP American History and US Government tests without having taken the AP classes. At his school, you can only take 3 honors/AP classes a year, he has chosen science, English and math each year. He had done well in the classes, so he figured why not go ahead and take the test. He studied those books you can get at Barnes and Noble and ended up doing great on both! He's going to try for World history this year. Good luck on your test!!</p>
<p>If she wants to do self study and then take the AP exam, is it possible that when she applies to colleges that her counselor can explain in a recommendation why she did self study when the course was at her school? I'm not sure if that would help or not.</p>
<p>They can always say that she "wasn't able to get the class into her schedule"- entirely true, but vague enough to not hurt.</p>
<p>My daughter talked to the teacher and was told that the selection process was competitive (ie, the teacher chose who she wanted in the class and since my daughter never had this teacher, she was an unknown). Not worth fighting it because that could cause other problems. I can't wait until we are through with high school - too much nepotism at this one. The teacher then told my daughter that she can take the exam next spring, but the success rate is very low for those who do not take the AP course,thus implying that it is not wise. So, I'm not sure whether she should just take a composition course at one of the local community college this summer or she should try to self-study it on her own. Fortunately we have time to consider. Thanks to everyone who gave their advice.</p>
<p>Well even though you have sort of resolved the issue, I don't think this is a case where fighting the school is a good idea. When you have to apply for anything, you know there's a risk it may not work out in your favor.</p>
<p>A valuable lesson - if you need to apply for a special course, make sure your child is "known" to the teacher.</p>
<p>I am actually applying for ap english and the teacher is my honors english 10 teacher, so she knows me very well. She also does yearbook, and she said she does give preference to former students, just because she knows their writing style fairly well. It's not ultra competetive, but it's an advantage when the teacher knows you.</p>
<p>Our school did not have an AP English course, but I took the AP English Literature examination anyway and received a 5. If your child loves books and knows how to analyze them using proper documentation (and makes her ideas flow in her essays, showing her line of thought), I'm sure she can do it as well.</p>