I’m thinking of applying to VHS for AP English Literature and Composition, Psychology, and World History as an international student. Will this help boost my GPA? Considering that I don’t have extra credits in my schools since they’re all the same weight, will they add my grades from this to my overall GPA too?
My son took classes through cty including, so far, one AP class. I wouldn’t think it would “boost your GPA” because the transcripts are usually sent separately and I’m unaware of schools adding that to your GPA. It could demonstrate initiative, love of learning, mastery of skills, willingness to be challenged, and ultimately college credit if you do well on the tests. But don’t do it if you only going to half do it… good luck!
If your school doesn’t offer APs, it won’t be held against you that you didn’t take any. It won’t impact your high school GPA because if you school doesn’t offer APs, they probably have no way to indicate that you self-studied and took the test and colleges all have different ways of handling the GPA calculation. (Remember that reporting AP scores on the Common Application is optional too). My D’s school had no APs by the way and it didn’t hurt her in admissions to highly selective schools. If you want to self-study something, you can - but there are lots of ways to demonstrate interest in or a passion for a subject.
You’re an international student: what type of curriculum are you following? Are there national (“board”) exams?
AP scores are never added to your GPA, and most colleges look at the unweighted GPA.
Do AP classes online, or self study, but only if yiu are really interested in the subject. It may not be an influencing factor, but it certainly can’t harm your application to take an AP test and get a good score.
Completing an AP course on your own time and doing well on the exam may look good in the eyes of the admissions officers, especially since it shows that you are willing to go above and beyond what your school has to offer. That being said, you should find a topic that you are interested in if you do plan on taking an online course. Interest definitely makes learning easier!