<p>Mention it to your counselor. S/he will definitely note that you’re taking the initiative to self-study.</p>
<p>If you’re seriously thinking about self-studying Human Geo, check out the AP boards to see how they do it. It’s one of those subjects that either clicks or it doesn’t… either way, not too difficult to pass. I believe a 4 gives you placement and 5 gives you credit at Dartmouth :)</p>
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<p>High school is about building a solid and broad educational base for exploring academic options in college. That’s why most schools expect kids to take a base of solid courses across all areas in preparation. That’s why selective schools expect kids to not only take a broad, solid base but challenge themselves. Top schools expect kids to challenge themselves across the board. You don’t take AP Bio to “show” that you are challenging yourself–you take it to challenge yourself. If you aren’t a person who WANTS to challenge yourself across the board, then you probably aren’t the somewhat driven type of student that will thrive at the most selective schools these days.</p>
<p>Coteee, I took the AP Human Geography practice questions online today and got 14 out 18 correct, so I think this is a subject I will be able to do well in after some studying. I will definitely mention that to my counselor–thanks for the great idea!</p>
<p>I agree with Consolation. </p>
<p>I can also tell you first hand that GC will not give not categorize a student as taking the most demanding course work if s/he is not taking the most demanding course work their school offers across the board. When schools have multiple ways of determing gpas (weighted one way for APs, another for Honors, straight college prep or no weight given to anything), the rigor of the course work will help to differientate students. </p>
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<p>This really does not mean anything because the AP exams are given in May and the scores come out in July. Since OP is a rising senior, by the time he goes through this process, his admissions cycle for all intents and purposes will be over. Even if he is waitlisted, getting the score from an AP exam that he self studied for will do little to move him to the admit file.</p>
<p>So would you, sybbie, say that it is not worth studying Human Geography on my own?</p>
<p>For the exam to have been of any “use” to you, it needed to have been taken May 2009, and your would have received your scores earlier this month to use on your college application. As I stated earlier to self study now and take May 2010, is after the fact (the common response date for college is May 1).</p>
<p>IF, accepted to Dartmouth, a 4 gets you an exemption from Geography 1 and a 5 gets you a Geography credit.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.dartmouth.edu/~frstyear/work/policies/AP%20Chart%202012[/url]”>http://www.dartmouth.edu/~frstyear/work/policies/AP%20Chart%202012</a></p>
<p>Is geting a geography credit really important to you in the big scheme of things?</p>
<p>I think that self-studying for an AP exam senior year is pretty much a complete waste of time unless one’s goal is to graduate early by amassing AP credits or place out of some specific course in order to take a more advanced one. </p>
<p>There are so many better, more interesting, more fulfilling things you can do with your time.</p>
<p>Alright that’s what I was thinking. I probably don’t want to get Geography credit because if it is my major, I think taking the intro classes would be helpful to me. Thank you both for the advice!</p>
<p>So, you’re saying that if the OP doesn’t take AP Biology, that he (…are you a guy?) isn’t challenging himself? I don’t buy it, sorry guys. I totally agree that you should never take any course to “show” that you’re challenging yourself, but the earlier responses seemed to aim in that direction. If the OP actually wants to take AP Bio and doesn’t just select it because he feels that he needs it for college, then that’s great.</p>
<p>I just don’t understand why the OP MUST take AP Bio in order to challenge himself. You guys make it seem as though there is one, and only one <em>most rigorous curriculum</em> at any given school, which is definitely not true. </p>
<p>Colleges also look for passion, drive, and initiative. The high school transcript is <em>one</em> part of the application. The most important? Sure. But, whichever class the OP ultimately chooses to take, his application will be one of thousands of applications with a highly rigorous set of classes. What sets him apart? </p>
<p>@ Sybbie: I really doubt that the counselor will make a big deal out of the OP not choosing to take AP Bio. Either way, he will certainly be distinguished in the LOR and from his classmates because he has taken a very demanding set of courses. His choice of a science class in his senior year won’t change that. </p>
<p>As for self-studying Human Geography, it’s not like AP scores from junior year matter very much in college admissions anyway. The benefit to the OP by self-studying Geo in the admissions process wouldn’t be the score, it would be the initiative that is demonstrated, as shown by the counselor’s letter of recommendation. If the OP somehow shows interest in the subject in his essay, then it helps even more. The score can ultimately allow the OP to skip Geography 1, but you don’t have to take the credit if you don’t want to. But, if you’re interested in a subject enough to be exploring a major in it, it would be a golden opportunity to learn more about it, whether or not you decide to use a credit/take the AP test at all. Geography is one of the easiest APs to study without a formal class. </p>
<p>I don’t see self-studying APs as a waste of time at all. If the intent is to learn more about a specific subject… and there’s an opportunity to go to more advanced coursework in college using that information… it’s fantastic. </p>
<p>My advice to the OP: I obviously have different views on this topic than some of the more seasoned posters on CC. I hope that you choose a curriculum that challenges and interests you. Explore your passions, but challenge yourself in a broad spectrum of topics. If you really commit yourself to that, the college admissions process will be that much easier.</p>
<p>You’re not taking into account the ceteris paribus effects coteee, I’m disappointed. </p>
<p>Ceteris paribus, taking AP Bio is better than taking Econ/IR. </p>
<p>As I said before, no intuition or logic can ever surpass the hard truth. Go straight to the source for that.</p>
<p>coteee, you seem to like to think that we’re somehow more unique than the students who were rejected. Let me assure you and others this: You are not special.</p>
<p>"coteee, you seem to like to think that we’re somehow more unique than the students who were rejected. Let me assure you and others this: You are not special. "</p>
<p>Why did you feel the need to say this to me? I certainly don’t set the people that get in on a pedestal over people that do not. There are so, so many people that apply to schools like Dartmouth that would do very well. We got in, which is great, but it doesn’t make us more unique than those that were waitlisted/rejected. Don’t think for a minute that I don’t know that. However, Dartmouth students certainly are awesome, as are many of the people that applied, but won’t be attending.
I think that the OP can make a strong case if he shows them what he cares about. If the IR/Econ is part of that, then that’s good. It’s pretty obvious that he’s already chosen to take AP Bio, which is awesome as well. I don’t know much about the OP, but it sounds as though he will be just fine when the fall rolls around and the admissions cycle starts up again. The important thign to remember is that he asked for opinions and we gave them. It’s perfectly fine to disagree, but not cool to make assumptions like that.
If you want to discuss an issue, just stay to the issue at hand… taking biology versus taking an elective… the benefits and consequences of each… and don’t just say that your opinion is the “hard truth”. There’s no hard and fast rule as to which classes are better to take. That’s going to differ for each person. That’s all I was trying to say.</p>
<p>Ah, should have put that first part in a PM. Sorry guys… it’s too bad that the thread’s become like this, especially when the OP has already chosen. Good luck in your senior year, OP! 
Let us know what happens.</p>
<p>Haha well I am actually a girl. And I still haven’t figured out my schedule yet! My parents do not want me to take four AP classes plus two other regular ones so I’m still pretty conflicted. Ultimately I think this is an issue I will have to discuss with my counselor and my family.</p>
<p>Top students commonly take 4 or more APs senior year, plus other honors courses, plus do sports and ECs.</p>
<p>It’s what I said earlier about being the somewhat driven kind of student…and it’s a reality that that is who you are competing against to get into D and similar schools.</p>
<p>You should pay attention to what Sybbie tells you. She’s a pro.</p>