<p>Can someone please explain whether or not colleges look specifically at those type of courses or would it be better to take them as high school courses?</p>
<p>I'm in a tight situation with only 2 APs as a junior.</p>
<p>I've only taken 4 AP classes altogether -- of course, out of only 5 offered (the fifth is AP Art, which I was going to take but was literally not possible either year with my schedule). But I did take three community college courses in stuff that I was interested in... it probably enhances the application somewhat, especially if you come from a school devoid of APs. Myself, I wish I had taken a lot more, since I found them generally a lot more interesting than most of my high school classes.</p>
<p>Well, it's not like my school is devoid of APs, it's rather that I didn't think about applying to all the ones I could've taken, even though there were rumors that classes were gonna be cut. (which is what happened to my other AP). Would it be a good idea to take a course in CC during the summer, or are there semester courses? for spring.</p>
<p>What is your purpose in taking the course? </p>
<p>Are you interested in eliminating a general education requirement, or in placing in an upper-level course at the college you end up at? If so, then you need to know which colleges are on your list and what kind of credit and/or placement they give for AP exams, and how likely they are to give transfer credit and/or placement for that community college course.</p>
<p>Are you interested in demonstrating that you can handle the demands of a college level course? Then a community college class in an academic subject is likely to be a better choice than self-study for an AP exam. In addition, if you develop a strong relationship with the instructor of that community college class, she/he may be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you.</p>
<p>Are you interested in demonstrating that you can set and meet personal goals independently of formal classwork? Then self-study for an AP exam in a subject that is interesting to you, but not offered as an AP course at your school, may be the way to go.</p>
<p>Lots of kids from all over this country get into decent colleges and universities every single year without ever once darkening the door of a HS course labeled AP, or taking one single AP exam. Lots of these kids go to high schools where plenty of AP courses are offered. You need to think long and hard about why you would want to take any particular AP course. There may be other classes that you are more interested in, and in which you will do very well, that aren't AP. One that comes to mind from Happykid's HS is Forensic Science. That course doesn't even have an Honors section. It is so well taught, and the students are so excited about the subject, that there are 4 sections of 35 students this semester. Two of Happykid's pals in her section dropped Honors Chemistry when the only Forensic Science class they could fit in was offered that same period. Part of life is learning when you should follow your bliss.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>