<p>I'm going to be a senior in high school in the fall and by next year I will have taken 20 AP exams. My dilemma is that my school is rather poor and I will have 4-5 free periods next year because I have literally run out of courses (I self studied for several of the APs as well. Now I really do not want to catch Senioritis so I am considering taking some paid college courses online that will work towards my undergrad. I already know that I am definitely getting a degree in computer science. Some classes that I am considering taking are multivariable calculus, linear algebra, modern physics, organic chemistry, or some kind of computer science course. It would be much appreciated if I could have some advice on the matter - what courses I will definitely need, what might help me with my intended major the most, what type of computer science class I might take, what university I should study from, etc. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>My younger son found some MOOCs (massive open online courses) from MIT in multivariable calculus and linear equations. These courses are what MIT actually teaches its own students. They came with videos of all the lectures, lecture notes, problem sets, and most importantly - the exams with answers. One of the math teachers at his high school agreed to sponsor him with these MOOCs, and thus reviewed his problem sets and administered the exams. </p>
<p>This worked well for him; the school was willing to give him credit for the courses and include them on his transcript. He didn’t receive any college credit for them (which may be a downside for you), but frankly, even though he did well in the two courses (A in both classes), he’d like to take them over this year as he enters his freshman year of college. A mathematician friend of ours once noted to us, “Math is best baked twice.”</p>
<p>MIT also has physics MOOCs, but those didn’t seem as worthwhile to my son. The gap between where you leave off at the end of AP Physics C Mechanics and where these courses start is fairly significant.</p>
<p>As well, since you’re posting this in the Harvard forum, you should be aware that at least some extremely-selective colleges don’t handle AP courses and previously-earned college credits in quite the same way as many other schools. At Harvard, for instance, the proper mix of scores of 5 on a set of AP exams can gain you “Advanced Standing,” which allows you to finish your degree in three years. But generally, if you come in as a freshman, there will be no transferability of college credits earned elsewhere. If you go to Harvard, Harvard wants you to earn a Harvard degree. They don’t want to slap the Harvard brand name on a degree mostly earned elsewhere.</p>