<p>From what I understand self studying APs is useless unless:
a) you self study a large amount or
b) your school doesn't offer any AP courses</p>
<p>now since my school offers many APs and I have major scheduling conflicts (^notice that is not a reason mentioned above), I'm thinking about going with a).</p>
<p>My question is, how many APs is considered a large amount (to self study for)??</p>
<p>bumpppp…</p>
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<p>My son self-studied 4 APs and took 8 all together during sophomore year. That was enough to make a positive impression at several top schools.</p>
<p>You’re more or less accurate. It’ certainly not “useless” - at least not any more “useless” than any other minor academic pursuit that may be on your profile. But it’s far more likely to be noticed and appreciated if you took several, and it’s more valuable if you were self-studying because the course was unavailable (not offered AND scheduling conflicts are fine reasons).</p>
<p>Still, there’s more to the decision to self-studying APs than college admissions. People self study because they they are interested in a subject and want to learn about and, and/or want to earn some college credit. Any benefit you might gain in admission should just be a little perk, not your primary motivation.</p>
<p>I’ve self studied AP tests, but I think the main plus is when you self study several; with all of my AP credits I received the Siemen’s Award for Advanced Placement in Michigan. Self studying AP’s can get you good college credit, but if you can, work to get as many done as possible, its worth it.</p>
<p>well, colleges won’t really KNOW I had scheduling conflicts, will they? 
anyways thanks for the input. I’m definitely doing the subjects because they interest me 
I’m a procrastinator so if I didn’t really love the subjects, trust me I wouldn’t bother ;P</p>
<p>I agree with Pancaked perspective.</p>
<p>I would add that in some special cases self studying an AP and taking the test can serve to satisfy an admissions requirement. This is the case with the University of California, where as an example, taking an AP and getting a sufficiently high grade in a foreign language,\ serves to satisfy the UC a-g requirements for foreign language.</p>
<p>If you in fact have the time to self study an AP, consider an alternative, such as independent study. Not all schools would have the wherewithal to provide you with the resources for independent study, but perhaps yours does. Here you would work out an area of study and/or research with an adviser. You would meet regularly with the adviser, and you would produce a paper or equivalent at the end of the independent study period. You would get graded on the work. In doing this you demonstrate initiative, intellectual interest, and the ability to work through a “difficult” and new area mostly on your own. You may in fact come up with original and publishable results.</p>
<p>o.O that didn’t even occur to me. thanks for the advice however, my school doesn’t provide resources for independent study. and I’m not sure exactly what kind of paper I could write to be publishable. I’ll see if I can come up with anything though. I MIGHT be able to get a teacher to grade my papers…</p>