<p>I would like some advice on self-studying AP's. </p>
<p>I go to a tiny rural public school (my graduating class will have 60 students) and my school doesn't offer any official AP courses. Just recently, the school has begun administering the AP Literature tests, even though it doesn't teach the official classes. So that will be one option. The calculus class also takes the AP test. </p>
<p>Would it be a good idea to self study for classes I'm currently taking? For example, I'll be taking Chemistry next year, so should I self-study for AP Chemistry to take the test?</p>
<p>By the way, I'm a rising junior. I know that colleges tend to look at what you make of your unique situation, but I think it would be better if I had a couple AP's under my belt. I don't think SAT II's compensate much for AP courses either. I haven't decided what type of school I'm going to, but I should consider self-study now a year before I apply for anything.</p>
<p>Universities will know that your school doesn't offer them, so it won't hurt you not to self-study. The good news is that if you do, it will help you tremendously. So yes, you should self-study the classes. It can only help you.</p>
<p>Well, it doesn't matter whether your school offers the tests or not. If you pay for the test, you will take it at your school or somewhere nearby. You could apply for all 37 APs if you want. Try studying for subjects that you are good at. History people go for stuff like World, US, Human Geo, etc. Science people go for tests like Environmental, Bio, Chem, Physics.</p>
<p>For an OR major, macro and micro are important, but so are calculus and computer science. Statistics might be helpful as well. But yeah, go for stuff you are good at :)</p>
<p>Has anyone actually self-studied any AP courses? I know most people take courses at school, but there have to be some people that self-study.</p>
<p>Which APs are the easiest to self-study? I have a feeling that Macro/Micro might be a little out of my reach for self-study, but US Gov't seems easier. Is it worth taking the AP exams just to test out of Gen Ed classes?</p>
<p>In my experience, US Gov is easy to self-study if you read newspapers and have a reasonable grasp of US History. English Language is also a good shot, if you're a strong writer - literally all I did to prepare for the exam was skimming a list of rhetorical techniques, and I didn't find it too challenging. I've heard psych is quite easy as well.</p>
<p>I'd say it's definitely worth it to self-study: more freedom in your college schedule, earlier entrance into upper-level classes, and an edge in admissions. Though if you have a list of schools already, you should check to see what their credit policies are.</p>
<p>I haven't self-studied anything, but of the tests I've taken, Psychology would definitely have been the easiest to self-study. It's really a bit ridiculous.</p>
<p>I agree that you could probably do English (Lang or Lit), if you're good at analysing literature (how you did on CR should give you an indication, but the APs are a bit harder than that). Lit would be fun, because part of what's <em>required</em> is reading books, since you have to write an essay on a book you've read (as opposed to the rest of the test, which pertains to passages they give you.)</p>
<p>I think self-studying along with what you're learning is probably wise. Chem seems like is could be a good idea, though it's not a particularly easy (as in, it's a fairly hard) AP test...I think it depends to a degree on how well your regular Chem class is taught, and how easily the material comes to you.</p>
<p>I agree with pinnipotto. Don't try to teach yourself a totally new subject. My suggestion is to buy an AP book for the class you are taking and go along with it throughout the year (you should probably do that anyway though). It does really depend on your strengths/ likes. It is easier to put extra effort into something you like as opposed to something you don't like.</p>
<p>There's no need to waste time on APs that you don't like --- in the end, the amount of APs you take really doesn't matter that much on your college application (APs outside of your hardest possible courseload at your school that is). </p>
<p>But like many of the above have said, if its compatible with your schedule/learning, and you want to give it a shot, why not?</p>