So I was planning on taking 3 AP exams this year (Chem, US History, and Calculus). The London School of Economics requires 5 APs with a 5, so I was wondering if I can take APs next year to qualify for this, or if I have to take all 5 this year? There are some other British schools that have similar requirements, so if somebody knows about others that could be helpful. Also if it ok if my school does not offer AP classes, as long as I get 5s on my exams?
What other 2 AP course are you considering?
UK unis don’t actually care about the class- the score is the only thing that matters. Lots of students self-study for APs, so that is not a problem.
The ‘normal’ thing for UK students is to sit their A level exams in June of final year and get their marks in August. The system is that the GCs/recommenders ‘predict’ the students marks on the applications (which mostly go in between Oct & Jan) and the universities make ‘conditional’ offers based on those predictions. UK students are allowed to apply to 5 courses; once all their offers have been received they must ‘firm’ one (their first choice) and can also ‘insure’ one (their second choice, if they don’t make the conditions on their first choice). Then they wait until August to find out where they are going to university in Sept/Oct. (there are variations, including a second process if you miss the marks for both your unis).
Two notes about APs:
=> many courses require APs in specific subjects: be sure and look for what the course(s) you are applying for require (all that information is definitely online for every course at every uni). Note that there is usually an expectation that your subjects will align with the course that you are applying to, and that this is not just a hoop to jump through. Many UK courses are 3 years, not 4- it’s like going straight into your major, and studying only your major. Think of your APs as both your GenEds and your pre-reqs. Getting in is one thing, doing well is another.
=> APs are not equal: they are divided into ‘A’ and ‘B’ APs (or at LSE, ‘preferred’ and ‘not preferred’).‘B’ APs are seen as 1/2 an ‘A’ AP. For example, Macro + Micro Econ = 1 AP and Comp Gov + US Gov = 1 AP.
I was planning on self studying Macro + Micro, and Comp Gov and US Gov as my other 2. They count macro and micro together as one and same thing comp gov and us gov.
Self-study is very do-able for those. Don’t forget to check for any specific requirements for your course- for any of the Econ courses you will need Calc BC, not AB.
Just to clarify, will LSE consider the AP courses I take during my senior year (the results are posted in July 2017, a month after high schools ends)?
Yes. As above, if you get an offer it will be ‘conditional’ on the results you get in July. If you get the marks you need you have your official scores sent by College Board, and you will get your official acceptance (which you will use to get your visa).