<p>My school has AP Lit, Bio, WH, Calc. AB, and Environmental Science.
I'll be taking all those, but I'd really like to take Physics B+C and Multivatiable Calculus. My school, however, frowns upon online classes ( I could maybe take one online but I already tried once and didn't get approval), and there is a Physics C class in my county, but it would require a thirty minute drive that realistically I probably can't make. Self study is also out of the question (can't convince principal to let me do it; she believes one can only learn in a classroom setting.)</p>
<p>So, am I doomed? I can't take advanced math and most advanced courses until my senior year not because I'm not ready, but because of super rigid counselors. Should I explain this on my app. when that time comes?
I get sooooo jealous when I read here that people are taking multivariable calulus in their junior year! I can't even take regular calculus til I'm a senior! Argh. </p>
<p>What can/should I do? Other than move, of course. XD</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like you have too many options. Self-study will probably be the only plausible and viable alternative. If you’re not able to appeal to your principal, I would advise you to contact a school nearby to take the exam at their school. If you do decide to take the exam at another school, I wouldn’t inform your principal or any of the other administrators.</p>
<p>They can’t stop you from self studying. If you self study a subject and take the AP at a nearby school and get a 5, they should be happy for you. If not, they should be fired. Simple as that.
They should be wanting you to succeed, not limiting you.
Can you take the courses at community colleges or a nearby school over the summer?</p>
<p>Ask for more classes and if it doesn’t work out, don’t take them. You can’t be penalized for not taking classes you were never offered.</p>
<p>The fact that you think that you are doomed for taking calculus in 12th grade is awfully disheartening. Realistically, most kids cannot take calculus until their senior year - most middle schools don’t offer a program to allow students to take algebra in 7th grade, only a few wealthier or private schools do. There are even kids who have gotten into Ivy League or other top-level schools without taking a calculus course at all! </p>
<p>Colleges will NOT fault you for something that is beyond your control. They are given a profile of your school, and they are able to see whether or not you took the schedule that is rigorous in the CONTEXT of your school.</p>
<p>That being said, your school cannot stop you from self-studying courses. If you truly want to self-study classes, you can sign up for AP exams at local schools and take them there.</p>
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<p>Woah, someone who’s not crazy!</p>
<p>And I was getting crap earlier for not taking any AP’s, given that there are 3 AP classes offered outside of the sciences at my school.</p>
<p>@OP; I agree with what everyone else said, it’s definitely not your fault. Self-studying is probably your best bet.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, everyone. Relieves me a bit.^^</p>
<p>If I go through another school, is it the principal I contact? I’Ve been considering this, but my friend who goes to the school in question says the entire administration’s super strict. So I’m hoping my counselor will ok it if I ask a /third/ time.</p>
<p>Look, if you’re really determined to take these classes, all you need to do is ask, ask, ask. The worst they can do is say “no”. </p>
<p>Be persistent if you need to. Ask your counselor three times or even four times if you have to. Show them that you really, REALLY would like to take that class. Like I said, the worst they can do is say no. If you have to, get your mom or dad involved in the situation - the school will be much more likely to budge if there’s an angry parent on the phone.</p>
<p>If you’re trying to take an online class, show them that you’re a good student. I’d assume if you’re trying to take 6 or 7 AP classes, you have mostly A’s - show the counselor your grades. Heck, show them test scores if you have to - anything to prove that you can. Eventually, the counselor/administration will probably give up - there really isn’t anything severely detrimental to them letting you take an online class and if you keep bugging them, they’ll find that fighting you about it is more trouble than it’s worth.</p>
<p>Personally, I wouldn’t go through all this trouble, but if you are truly determined to get the schedule you want, the key is to be assertive (yet respectful) and persistent.</p>
<p>Girl9145729: Most schools have an “AP Coordinator”. Call the student’s services office (or the equivalent) to find the contact information for the coordinator. Once you have contacted them, they will then order your test for you.</p>