I’m a sophomore and just found out that I can self-study for AP exams. I don’t plan on taking any this year since it’s very short notice, but I do plan on taking multiple next year. I’m talking AP Calculus AB at school and want to take the Computer Science, Psychology, and Human Geography exams for sure. I’m still debating on a couple others to take like US History. My school doesn’t offer these and I’m interested in them.
I don’t want to get my school involved in any of this because they’re not always the most open about things like this, but I was looking into online classes through Apex Learning. Is it better to spend all the money on online courses or to just self-study? I’m pretty good at teaching myself.
Also, how does it affect college apps? I know the test scores looks good to have them on there if they’re good grades. But since I’m not taking the class and only taking the exam how does it look?
AP score have little to no effect on admissions, but are used for placement and credit after admissions. They are self-reported on the application (i.e. optional); you don’t send your official score report until the end of your senior year when you’ve decided where you’re attending. Furthermore, colleges do not like students to self-study a bunch of courses- it does not impress them. If you want to take the online courses, then by all means do so. This will increase your course rigor and can positively affect your admissions.
The only reasons to self-study are if you want college credit, you are interested in the topic, and/or your school doesn’t offer the course. You seem to fit these, so go ahead with the self-studies if you would like. Just know it won’t help your admissions chances. You would be doing this for you and the sake of learning.
I agree with everything @guineagirl96 said. And just to reiterate:
Thank you both. I’m genuinely interested in these and have, and will continue to self-study them. I might take some online courses, but I don’t want it to be affiliated with my school. I asked about online courses to get ahead in January and they said they only let kids do online if they failed a class. Do either of you happen to know any place I could take individual online courses?