<p>I'm currently a high school junior and am self studying AP Computer Science. This is mainly because I want to show colleges that I am very passionate about Computer Science and Computer Engineering (I have also had several programming internships). I'm obviously aiming to get a 5 on the test for AP Computer Science, but am also thinking of taking the class in my senior year for the fun of it. Will colleges look at this negatively or will they not care?</p>
<p>If you get a 5 on the AP class during self-study, then your school may let you take the class, but would likely not give you a grade for it. </p>
<p>Colleges may question your logic of taking the class after you have already taken the AP exam, unless you get a 1, 2 or maybe a 3 on the AP exam. I think they would expect you to take a higher level computer programming class, not re-take an AP class. If there are not more advanced computer classes available at your school, I would suggest you talk to the AP instructor and see if he/she would support a self-study version of a class one level advanced from the AP version during your senior year.</p>
<p>I disagree with the above poster. I think taking an AP exam without having taken the class and getting a 5 is a huge accomplishment that will reflect positively on your applicaitons.
And who cares what you do senior year? It’s a joke. Colleges will have accepted you before they even see what grades you got senior year. Just don’t fail anything.</p>