jb12

From what I understand going to different Open Houses with my D is that GPA is the most important thing in getting admission followed by SAT or ACT and then extra work, essays.

tokenadult

Hi, jb12, what kind of colleges were you visiting during those open houses? Most of my sources of information have been national research universities with sufficient endowments to travel nationally to recruit students, so I can well believe the relative balance of different admission factors depends on what kind of colleges a student is looking for.

neuron39

I second the comment about self-studying for AP tests. This shows so much about you - initiative, challenge, love of learning - that is attractive to the most selective schools.

tokenadult

Thanks for the comment on self-studying for AP tests. Yes, College Board of course has the cynic's reason for encouraging students to do that, but it genuinely tries to make it easier for students whose schools don't offer a particular course, homeschoolers, and self-studiers of all kinds to have access to the AP tests. That's a big contrast with the policy of the IB program.

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Invoyable

Wait, so self-studying for an AP exam that your school doesn't have entirely is possible?

I thought it was only possible for the classes you had at your school, but schedule conflicts - cannot take them. Since the school administers it or w/e...never knew.

chr100

You can take any AP exam you want to. Just buy a study guide.

tokenadult

Self-Studying APs: Improving Your App

Or did I already put a link to the AP self-study thread in this Tips on College Admission thread? It certainly deserves a look.

sil0725

So if my GPA is 4.4, but SAT score is only 1900.. I can still consider applying to brown or princeton??

chinnychinchang

^im in a similar situation...and i really want to know too

tokenadult

What kind of courses did you get your grade average in? (For example, in what grade did you learn algebra? What foreign language did you take in high school?)

DeirdreTours

Taking an AP as an homeschooler is not difficult--BUT you must register pretty early-- as i recall sometime in late February/early March. Check the college board website for details. If you are enrolled in a high school and your school isn't willig to administer the test, the college board will assign you to an alternative location.

My son took 2 AP as a homeschooled 9th grader and then took a test in 10th grade that his high school didn't have staff to adminster. It can be done, just don't leave it until the last minute.

tokenadult

Thanks for the reminder that it is possible to set up AP testing outside of your usual high school by contacting high schools in advance.

Registering for AP Courses & AP Exams

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tokenadult

By the way, usually colleges look at your grade average most closely in "solid" classes in the core academic areas of

a) English

b) math

c) history or social science

d) foreign language

e) science

Many high schools don't have required physical education or art or music classes, and those more specialized interests are looked at by colleges in different ways from just looking at a grade on a high school transcript.

Smile614

My high school requires oral comm, drama/music, PE, AND health credit. (a semester each)

That took up quite a bit of my classes freshman/sophomore year. And most AP classes are only offered to juniors/seniors. Only a few (around 3) you can take as a sophomore. Would this count against me when HYPS and other competitive colleges are looking for a rigorous courseload? Because I didn't take PE or health to slack off..it's an easy A for sure but it's required. (Some people take PE every year for the easy A)

Kittenonly

very heplful

thx!