<p>Should I attempt to self study Calculus BC, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry? I planned to self study BC and Bio originally, but since I'm doing a readthrough of Zumdahl Chemistry for my SAT II Chem (in May), I figured I might as well take the AP exam. Do you think this is a good idea? I mean, for the labs and whatnot, I could just look up YouTube videos, right?</p>
<p>Why would you be doing this?</p>
<p>My school’s teachers suck, so AP classes are a waste of time. I’m also trying to get all of my SAT II’s out of the way before junior year.</p>
<p>I planned to read Campbell and Zumdahl anyways to prep for USABO and USNCO; doing the AP’s would just force me to start earlier.</p>
<p>I feel like people on CollegeConfidential are imaginary. I’m from a pretty successful, academically rigorous public school that sends kids to Harvard every year and I’ve never seen a single person pull the type of stunts people post about on CC. LOL.</p>
<p>Anyways. Study it if you can handle it. If its too hard, it isn’t a big deal, just focus on your primary academics. If you can deal, then deal and try your best on the AP exams. You have nothing to lose but some exam fees and maybe a few nights of sleep.</p>
<p>The AP chem test goes beyond the SAT II material. Does your school have these classes? If so I highly recommend you take the classes, because those are some of the hardest AP tests.</p>
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<p>Wouldn’t regular classes be even worse? In terms of college admissions, taking a course and the test is better than just taking the test.
What would you be taking instead of the AP classes you’re skipping? Are you not allowed to take AP classes this year or something?
What are you planning to major in (if you know)? If it’s related to one of the science APs you’re self-studying, you’ll probably want to retake the intro class once you get to college because watching YouTube videos of labs (while it may be enough to pass the AP test) isn’t the same as actually experiencing the lab.</p>
<p>@Neutrality, I’ll be using Zumdahl’s Chemistry to prepare for the SAT II. It goes beyond the SAT II curriculum, and I’ve heard people recommend it for the AP exam.</p>
<p>At my school, regular classes=AP classes. As in, the teachers teach both with the same amount of rigor (none). If I take the AP’s this year, when I transfer to the math/science academy next year I’ll take Cal III, Organic Chem/Biochem, and Human Infectious Disease/another higher level bio course.</p>
<p>I plan to major in biochemistry.</p>
<p>Taking the AP classes, even if they are stupid as you say, look better on your transcript than not taking them… so I mean…</p>
<p>I mean, if I got 4s/5s on my exams, would it matter if I took the class?</p>
<p>It will hurt you not to take AP courses, unless you’re taking something more challenging in their place. No matter how un-challenging the AP courses are at your school, it’s still better to be taking them than it is to be taking non-AP courses.</p>
<p>Hm…I see what you’re saying. </p>
<p>My school doesn’t offer AP Cal BC or AP Chem, only AP Bio. I’ll enroll in AP Bio but I’ll have to self study anyways since the teacher is crap. Should I attempt to self study chem and bio together, or just bio? I’m doing BC no matter what.</p>
<p>On one hand, self studying both bio and chem together would be killer, but on the other hand, if I self study both this year, next year I get to take an awesome organic/biochem course. What would you guys do?</p>
<p>I see most of your posts focus on academics, but for top colleges, leadership and ECs are also very important. My recommendation would be to cut down on the number of APs and use that time to focus on ECs of interest to you more in depth. You only need 4 or 5 APs to prove your academic talent. Many people with 12 APs get rejected because they don’t have enough ECs and leadership positions.</p>
<p>I see what you’re saying, pwalsh. I’ve decided to just do AP Bio and AP Calculus BC and do AP Chem next year. I will, however, still be doing SAT II Chem prep so I can have my three SAT II’s out of the way.</p>
<p>Now, I won’t have four/five AP’s (I plan to do AP Cal BC, AP Bio, AP Chem, and maybe AP Physics C), but I will be doing Calculus III, Discrete Mathematics, Organic Chem, Biochem, etc. Those are higher level than AP, right? So would those serve to prove my academic talent as well?</p>
<p>They do, but top colleges look for well-rounded (academics, arts, athletics, ECs) students. If you do all academics (multivariable calculus etc.) you will prove your academic strength and you will be considered a one-dimensional applicant which will be a negative for admissions. Balance the activities to prove that you are good in more than one area (academics, ECs, leadership positions, volunteer work, research, internships).</p>
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<p>Not exactly. They look for people with passion, people who are going to grow up and accomplish things. They would rather have a specialist than someone who does a lot of things at a shallow level.</p>
<p>hahahaha you’re crazy</p>
<p>2400 SAT one-dimensionals are frequently rejected.</p>
<p>Everyone is frequently rejected, and having a well-defined focus/passion (which is desirable) is not the same as being a drone who only cares about standardized test scores (which is not).</p>
<p>For example:</p>
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<p><a href=“Q. and A.: College Admissions - The New York Times”>Q. and A.: College Admissions - The New York Times;
<p>I hate “well-rounded” because it implies that I have to do things I’m not interested in. At this point, I only care about research, debate, mock trial, and model UN. While I do want to get into a good college, I don’t want to put myself through torturous activities simply for the sake of getting into college.</p>