Self-Studying APs When They're Offered? Will This Hurt Me?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hi, i’m so interested in Psychology, and find it to be one of the most enjoyable subjects I’ve come across. I was first introduced to Psychology from my mother, who is a psychologist, and began telling me things about psychology a year ago-ish. Because she’s a psychologist, she can help me with my studying too (we already have hordes of Psychology resources).

The thing is…AP Psychology is offered at my school, but it’s only available to seniors. I love Psychology, but I really hate having to wait until my senior year before learning the material for this exam. Plus, I wouldn’t want colleges to think I took AP Psychology as a course at school to take the place of some of the “harder” APs.

So, if I self-study for this exam and take it, will it seem as if I only did it to pad my resume? Keep in mind that I don’t care whether self-studying for this helps me or not in college admissions. I really love the subject, but I’m extremely concerned if self-studying will hurt me or not. I heard that some colleges hate students who self-study if it’s offered at the school. Is this true? Don’t they take into account interest or schedule conflicts?

Will self-studying for AP exams when the classes are offered hurt you?

2

By the way, I also hope to major in Psychology and get credit for it at college.

3

It would be silly to self-study the course when it is offered at your school imo. If you’re planning on majoring in Psychology and indicate this on in your college apps, colleges aren’t going to think that you took AP Psych senior year just to take a lighter AP.

4

Yes.

It won’t help you, but I doubt it will hurt you.

What’s to take into account? You have an interest and the school offers the course, so take the course. Not wanting to wait until senior year is not a scheduling conflict.

They won’t. AO’s don’t have that kind of time to analyze a transcript and wonder what courses were not taken and why.

5

I suggest taking it at school. I’m currently in a DE program and took the first psychology class there at a local CCC. I enjoyed it so much I’m taking psychology 2 next semester. Currently a senior it was with mostly other DE kids as well in high school. No reason to self study what your school offers.