I am currently taking AP Human Geo and AP Psych. I am considering self studying AP Environmental Science. I will definitely take 2 AP Exams for the current classes I have. I’m not sure if I should self study for AP Environmental Science. I want to do this because my goal is to be a State AP scholar so I need to take a lot of AP exams. Is this too much or should I wait until sophomores year to self study?
Prep Scholar says this: “If you get an AP Scholar award, great! But colleges will be able to see your complete AP score report either way, and they know which APs and AP courses are most challenging. It’s better to take a rigorous course of study and not quite qualify for the next Scholar level than to front-load with content-light APs to get the award.”
I don’t see anything wrong with having your attitude, but it’s not really necessary for anything. It’s just a “title” and like the quote above says, colleges will see the AP exams and scores anyway, and taking so many, if I’m not mistaken, could hurt you, especially because you could be spreading yourself too thin. Just take a few rigorous APs, and make sure to leave yourself time to participate in great, enriching EC’s, etc.
If you really still want, I would say wait until sophomore year to self-study, this is only your freshmen year. I didn’t take any APs my freshmen year, and most people I know only took one. Let this be a time to start getting involved in activities within and outside your school, not concentrating on self-studying, especially with these being your first APs. Getting state scholar award really makes no difference in the app process, from what I’ve read and in my own opinion. It’s definitely up to you, of course, but that’s my two cents!
Agreed. It’s just another piece of paper.
If you have that much extra time to self study, make sure 1) You are making A’s in all your classes 2) You are doing some exercise (sport or not) 3) You have ECs that you are doing 4) You are doing some community service. 5) you get 8 hours of sleep a night. If you have time after that, go for it…but the only thing you will get for it is maybe some college credit. Check if your state U gives credit for it.
Time is your most precious commodity so spend it wisely. IMO your time would be better spent on meaningful EC activities, making sure your academics in school are the absolute best you can do, and spending time with friends/family as compared to self-studying for an AP test. Agree with the others that AP State Scholar is not a big thing.