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07-24-2008, 10:51 PM
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#166 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Taiwan->MIT 2011
Posts: 1,574
| @ Computerized -
Yes, you can do well on AP exams without prior teaching. However, a lot of these depends on how motivated you are and not exactly how "intelligent" you are, but how good you are at working alone and studying by yourself. I think 1) motivation and 2) capability of independent work without a teacher are the essentials to getting 5s on self-study APs.
You can do whatever schedule suits you. I, for example, never established a study schedule. I just studied whenever I felt was time to read up on the subject. Generally, I was able to manage my time and didn't procrastinate too much, so it was all good in the end. Many people I know rely on a day-to-day schedule.
@ Catalysis -
There is no significant advantage to self-study APs as a senior because colleges will have to take your word for it. If you have never self-studied before and you suddenly say you want to take 8 APs, I would be quite skeptical as an admissions officer. However, if you take a class at a local community college, it would be different, since you're taking a "real class" and thus you would be able to put it as part of your coursework. I would suggest just taking the class if you have never self-studied APs prior to senior year.
@ TTwhite -
If you have a history of self-studied APs, you can always indicate which APs you self-studied in Additional Info. If you haven't, you can also write down what APs you plan on self-studying during senior year. However, like what I said before, colleges would have to take what you say with a grain of salt if you don't have a history of self-study.
@ Llpitch -
I forget, but did you ever self-study? It would mean a lot more if you did before (lends credibility to your claim of self-study), but either way you should be fine. And generally, I think only one class of self-study isn't going to make a huge diff, especially at HYPMSC. | 
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07-25-2008, 01:44 AM
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#167 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,884
| Yeah I self studied Psych and Comp Gov this year. I got two 5's.
Well I'm definitely self studying Chemistry this year (assuming the Chem teacher won't let me sit in on her prep period and take the class). I'm considering selfing Macro and Micro econ though also. | |
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07-25-2008, 03:22 PM
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#168 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 283
| is self studying Env Sci a good idea when im taking 5 next year | |
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07-27-2008, 08:18 AM
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#169 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 55
| Self Study Ap
Anyone know how to show AP's to be SELF STUDY on the (common) application.
Also, my school doesn't weight GPA. How much do colleges see that I've done fine on AP's, without the GPA boost.
in other words
My grades are not all straight A's, because my classes are pretty challenging.
They are not weighted. I took the AP exams in Physics, Chem, Math, etc. and did well on them. Will the colleges relook at the GPA, and give consider-
ation for the fact that the 3.7 GPA I have might be higher, if it weighted?
Thanks. | |
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07-27-2008, 08:29 AM
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#170 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 55
| bump please... | |
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07-27-2008, 08:48 AM
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#171 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland
Posts: 200
| I would list APs you self-studied for under "Additional Information."
Colleges will definitely take the difficulty of the courses you took into consideration when determining whether to admit you. Just because your school doesn't have a weighted GPA doesn't mean you wont get credit -- in fact, a lot of colleges have their own formula to calculate your GPA. | |
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07-28-2008, 02:41 PM
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#172 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
| I haven't had the chance to completely read over all of the posts on this thread, so pardon me if this question has been asked in the past.
My one question regarding self-studying an AP course is whether there's any point in doing so in my senior year? I know if I take the exam, I'll still get the credits for university. However, will the universities actually take the fact that I'm studying an AP course into consideration during the admissions process? I have no proof that I'm actually doing it, unless you count review books and my tutor as proof... | |
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07-28-2008, 04:08 PM
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#173 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
| I just read a post on the last page regarding the same question. hehe... sorry. However, my situation is a bit different - I self-studied 4 AP courses in my Junior year. | |
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07-28-2008, 09:14 PM
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#174 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 283
| ap's next year...
physics b
calc bc
us
lang
psychology.
should i self-study env. sci or world history? | |
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07-28-2008, 11:59 PM
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#175 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 83
| I have taken two AP courses and I'm going into my junior year. I plan on taking five AP courses next year, since I'm interested in all of the courses. But, I also want to self-study Environmental Science since it's not taught either at my high school or Florida Virtual School. I'm lucky since between my high school and florida virtual school offer a huge diversity of AP courses, except for AP Environmental Science.
I am taking AP Bio as one of my 5 courses and I want to self-study Environmental Science so that I can learn more, and show dedication to the environment (almost all of my ECs are environmentally related and I think me doing well on the Environmental test as a self-study would only supplement those.) However, I'm also taking online courses (Latin 2 and Pre-calc) so I'm worried about the course-load next year. But, I also read the old posts and pretty much everyone agrees not to do your only self-study during your senior year since colleges don't see it as credible without previous ability.
Should I try and cram an Environmental self-study into my already packed schedule for next year, or should I wait and hope they believe me? Also, I already know alot about the environment so do you think it will be fairly easy for me to self-study it? | |
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07-29-2008, 12:13 AM
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#176 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,884
| Yes, Env Sci is an easy self study. | |
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07-29-2008, 12:23 AM
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#177 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Taiwan->MIT 2011
Posts: 1,574
| Scared6378 gives good advice.
Hehe -
If you self-studied before, it would generally lend credibility to your claim of self-studying APs during senior year.
Cali -
Env Sci is very easy, while WH would require a bit more reading (basically reading and retaining Barron's AP knowledge w/ prep in essay writing would be fine preparation). Do whatever you feel is more manageable for you. | |
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07-29-2008, 12:27 AM
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#178 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 83
| So I should take it?
Also, what about retaking AP Human Geography? I took it my freshman year, but got a 2 on it. The teacher of it was new and didn't bother trying to prep for the test. Only six people out of 150 kids passed. Everyone keeps saying how easy it was, so it makes me feel dumb even though I know I'm not. I had learned alot from the class, and I still remember most about it, but I just wasn't prepared for it. I think if I buy a review book, I could probably get a 4 or 5. Only thing is, if I self study Environmental Science and Human Geography, I have to find a way to pay for the tests (money is an issue in my family.) Is it worth it to retake the test for AP Human? | |
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07-29-2008, 01:22 AM
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#179 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,884
| No it's not worth it. No one cares about Human Geo anyway tbh. | |
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07-29-2008, 03:14 PM
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#180 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 283
| i think i'll take env sci class my senior year so i dont have to waste time studying | |
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