Our school gives us the option to self study AP classes in order to get credit for them. Last year, I self studied APUSH and got a 5, for many reasons (including wanting room on my schedule to take more science classes, and hearing horror stories about how much unnecessary homework the teacher gives, and how is syllabus is bound to fail you on the AP exam).
I am confident that I have the work ethic and discipline to self study for AP Lang and AP Lit as well. Doing this could free my schedule for other classes that I wish to take, and allow me to focus on them more (since I’ll have more time to commit to them).
Would doing this hurt my college apps? Will colleges look at self studying for an English class in a negative way (even if I got a 5 on both AP tests?)
Colleges generally prefer that you take the classes. They know there is a lot more that you do in class other than what can be tested on a 3 hour exam. You have to take English anyhow, so why not just take the AP classes?
IMO, you should take AP lit (since its a reading based class and you will get more out of being in a classroom) and self-study AP Lang. AP Lang is quite easy to self study in my opinion- at my school nearly all juniors take the exam with just having a year of English 11.
@mathyone If I pass the AP exams, I will not have to take any English classes my junior and senior years of high school. My school will grant me credit for those classes.
@bopper Yes. You study by yourself and don’t take a class for it at school. When the AP exam comes around, you take it with all the students who actually have taken the class. If you get a 3 or higher, you get credit for the class and don’t have to take it at school.
The only thing I would caution you about, reading your other comments, is that nearly all colleges want you to have 4 years of English. So you might not want to get rid of english in junior and senior year of high school.
I would say that you could self study for AP Lang quite easily. There is not that much actual knowledge you need to have in the way of facts and terms. However, if you aren’t a decent writer already than I wouldn’t advise it.