4khaos

Let's just face the facts here. Self-studies probably matter in admissions as much as being in NHS; i.e. It doesn't matter. So, deciding which AP to study based on what you might think is more impressive is ridiculous and pointless.

However, IF you're genuinely interested in a subject (or need credit for it in college) then taking AP's by yourself is beneficial and can actually be enjoyable.

Salve!

^ I second that. I'm almost done with college and have had the opportunity to talk to many people from all different colleges. APs are not split up by which are more "impressive". To be honest, colleges don't really care what APs you took. To them it's more of "oh, well now they don't have to take that class and we don't get the money for it". APs definitely won't hurt you, but admissions officers do not look at them as much of a determining factor. However, when you take AP classes all of a sudden they see you're taking the hardest courseload you could. That is more impressive. As far as self-studies, no college admissions officer is going to be trying to figure out what AP tests you took that you didn't have a class for. Even the less known colleges have so many applications that they don't have time for that. Just do your best and bask in the self-satisfaction you may get from doing well.

cyanide60

I'll be taking Lang, W. History, Calculus AB/BC, and if time allows Chem in my Junior year. (Currently I'm a sophomore). For my senior year, I'll be taking Lit, Bio, Psych and Environmental Science.

Since I'll be taking one honors chinese course (with some essay writing) by the time I reach my senior year, should I consider taking the Chinese AP? I'm Japanese and I've been studying Chinese for three years now.

SleepingAway

^If your Japanese, then you should go for AP Chinese (Did you take AP Japanese yet? ) since some Japanese characters look like Chinese ones
but fair warning, it is quite hard (Barron's study guide made it 2x harder but it was helpful)

I might be doing AP comp. govt as a self study but idk yet, I can take macro and art history online along with 3 other in-class APs so I'm wondering whether I should do it

Dream4Life

wow, biggest thread ever, does it matter that much on your app if you are an ap scholar with distinction or ap national scholar. i just lost my chance to be a national scholar because i got 3's on my first two ap exams. will these awards have a big distinction on your app.

cyanide60

>SleepingAway thanks, didn't take AP Japanese yet. I took a look at some practice problems and boy, I could have gotten a 5 even if I took it when I was in first grade. lol


AP comp.govt shouldn't be that challenging. (according to two seniors who graduated that I know. they self-studied it, because my school didn't offer the course at the time).

cyanide60

>SleepingAway thanks, didn't take AP Japanese yet. I took a look at some practice problems and boy, I could have gotten a 5 even if I took it when I was in first grade. lol


AP comp.govt shouldn't be that challenging. (according to two seniors who graduated that I know. they self-studied it, because my school didn't offer the course at the time).

SleepingAway

^you should definitely take AP Japanese!!

and I think I'll have a shot at comp. gov't, already got the Ethel Wood book

Froma2z123

I know this was mentioned earlier in the thread - like way earlier - but I just wanted to say that for anyone looking to self-study an AP for additional rigor on a resume, I STRONGLY recommend AP Government. My advice is to take it with a friend. Start at the beginning of the year, and once a week take time to learn the material. Doing it with a friend really keeps things from getting boring, and it can be a great motivator. What my friend and I did was first make flashcards from one book that had a list of main terms, and then we used a separate review book and typed up the material inside the book. We made a review of a review. It was very very helpful. Just wanted to put my two cents in! If you have any questions, feel free to post or PM me.

075014

hello I would like to know if AP exams can be taken abroad, in France for example? (in USA AP exams can be taken without following the courses in question if i'm not wrong) so is it possible for me to take these exams? I think that there would be a test center in paris if it's possible to take it abroad, ? because some of knowledge used in these tests are naturally learnt in our high schools or in any case for the most part.
and I think it could be interesting to flesh out my application with these exams
I've already post a thread for that but nobody has answered me and I really need this information (I didn't find it on the website)
.

tomatox1

Do you think it is a legitimate idea to self study multiple so-called simpler APs in Freshman Year?

arceuz

I'm planning to self study the easier ones from second semester freshman year to sophomore, mainly because my school only offers 5 AP courses and they are all in grade 12...

midnightdreary

Last year I sort of self-studied bio, world, and Chinese. I find the tests fun. Got all 5's. Here's my reflection on them:

Bio - I used McGraw Hill along with Barron flashcards. I was taking a biology course at my no-ap's school. I started studying over winter break. I remember feeling like I knew nothing. The exam was okay, but I bs'ed my way though some of the free response. Get a good flowing gel pen for the test. Really, bio is just a bunch of memorization. Took bio June SAT subj test. That was easier.

World - another memorization one. I also used McGraw Hill with Barron flashcards. I was also taking two years of world history at school. The test was exhilarating. I started studying in January. I looked at all of the collegeboard's free response questions online, which really helped. Really think of bigger trends, trade, etc. know the format of a DBQ and the other two essays in terms of what readers look for. Took June SAT subject test afterwards. That was easier.

Chinese - I am 1st gen American-Chinese so I took this one for the lolz. Barely studied. They hook you up to a computer w/ headset and you talk into a microphone. Was going to take SAT subject test but though it would look cheap to do so much Chinese because of my ethnicity.

shijurodhaz

If I just self-study Barron's only but know it thoroughly is there a strong chance of getting a 5 or should I study (or watch) something else also. And for the exam should I memorise the maps or just know how to interpret it.
Macro economics, for a 5 will it be sufficient to do Barron's and khans academy?

Wizard614

Would it be ok for a upcoming freshman like me to start self studying ap psyc and ap human geography starting this summer and take it in may of 2014?