<p>I do not mean to be at all confrontational when I ask this question, but:</p>
<p>Don't any of you just study things you're interested in?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that's why oasis did what he did..</p>
<p>It's okay, I get that question a lot, actually.</p>
<p>Although I try to add in the element of "Improving Your App" or "getting AP scholar," or "which APs are easier to self-study," I don't ever think that's the mindset you should approach this whole thing with.</p>
<p>I self-study APs because I seek a challenge that's further than what my school can offer. When you go to a school with 5 APs, you'll know your educational possiblities are quite limited. At the same time, I do not seek to cram pointless APs that I do not care about. I love history, so I did all 3 history APs - I didn't care much about Human Geography, so I didn't go take it just because its an "easy" AP. Some people don't understand me when I say this, but I'm actually interested in a lot of APs - and what is there to lose after self-studying to see how much of the material you retained through taking the AP test?</p>
<p>For me, AP is all about challenges and exploring what your school curriculum can't offer you. I wrote this thread for the numerous students who come from small schools with limited curriculums, because if even one of them can go out and explore their passions through AP (which is not available at school) or challenge themselves academically by striving for one of the AP awards, this thread would not have been written in vain.</p>
<p>So yes, I hope that answered your question. ^____^</p>
<p>Do you think it's pointless to self-study for an AP test in my senior year since colleges won't know I took it unless my counselor mentions that i'm going to self-study in my recommendation?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I don't think so. When you take the AP test, you have the option of sending in the AP score to the college you are going to. If you send the ones you studied for independently, they'll know. ;)</p>
<p>bump great topic</p>
<p>Are there any cons to self-studying for AP Biology (assuming that I'll get a 4 or 5)? Besides cost and hassle.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>There are cons for scoring that high? ;P</p>
<p>Is it too late to self-study? I'm a senior this year and I didn't do so hot on the AP tests I took at the end of last year. I didn't realize colleges actually cared... ):</p>
<p>I'm taking a two hour Humanities class next year that covers (according to the course description) "Western civilization and culture, including history, philosophy, geography, literature, art, and music." What APs do you think that might prepare me for (with possibly a bit of self-studying added in)? I think students have taken AP Art History in the past, but I'm not certain. I'm also taking an Intro to World History class at WUSTL right now through their HSSP, but it's focusing specifically on the time around the 19th century (as it isn't long enough to cover everything; it's more of an introduction to methods, theories, etc.). How much more do you think I'd have to study?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Is it too late to self-study? I'm a senior this year and I didn't do so hot on the AP tests I took at the end of last year.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It's never too late to self study. Doing well on this year's AP tests will not only give you some college units (though mostly excess), it will train you to become independent and interested studiers, a tool you will find useful during your transition into college.</p>
<p>What subjects are you interested in?</p>
<p>This Year I'm taking:</p>
<p>(With Courses): AP US History, AP English Language and Composition,
(Self-Study): AP Statistics, AP Physics B, AP US Goverment and Politics, AP Human Geography </p>
<p>Do you guys think that is too much? I want a AP Scholar Award thingy and to same money in college so thats the main reason I'm taking em (along with boosting my app)</p>
<p>I don't think you'll have a lot of trouble with that course load, RootBeerCaesar. History will be quite a bit of reading though, about an hour or so per chapter in your textbook. English will be mostly writing essays, so if you're good at writing, you'll be fine. US Gov and Human Geography are easy exams, things you can study in about a week and still get a 5 on the exams. The only problem you may have would be Physics, only because they're new concepts. Otherwise, you should be fine. Just be prepared for quite a bit of reading and writing practice essays during the year.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks lol</p>
<p>I have a question though about the AP National Scholar - is it just given to EVERY person who has gotten 4 or above (with an average of 4 or more) on 8 AP exams or is it competitive? I plan on also possibly self-studying Psychology (which I heard was easy), to try to get a shot at this award, but is it competitive or just a "u are this, u get the award" thingy</p>
<p>AP National Scholar is not competitive. You need an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. AP State Scholar, on the other hand, is competive; it's only given to the one male and one female student in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with grades of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams and then the highest average grade (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken.</p>
<p>Ah good, so If I study hard then I become a AP National Scholar in my junior year =D</p>
<p>thanks for the post oasis.. really helped</p>
<p>bumpbumpbump</p>
<p>by the end of my high school i'll be done with 10 or 11 AP's, but i dont have to self-study any. is that a good amt for top level colleges?</p>