ColegeBownd

I'm currently a junior at a sub-par rural high school in east Texas. Not much learning takes place here; it's primarily what most schools would call "busywork." I've never been challenged in my schooling, and recently, I've taken the bull by the horns and began studying on my own, with the downfall of my grades and coursework.
From an outsider, it might seem like I'm slacking academically. However, I work extremely hard, just not on, in my view, pointless schoolwork. This control I've taken in my education is very important to me and helps me take control in other aspects of my life. I personally believe it shows drive and intelligence, but...
I'm wondering how colleges look at academic independence. Would they just see me as a slacker making excuses and I should begin working harder in school? Or could I get them to recognize the value of my independent academic achievements through my essay and I should continue this hands-on approach to my education?

Northstarmom

They would be impressed if you get high grades while also pursuing outside intellectual interests. Your getting bad grades while studying on your own will not impress them because they'll fear you'll do the same thing in college.

In fact, I have a S who did exactly that. He is a very bright guy who flunked out of college because he doesn't like formal academics. However, he is one of the most well read people I know. He reads the Great Books for fun while working on his own novel. He listens to newscasts in French. He gets hired by college students to write their papers, and those papers get high grades (I don't share his ethics on this!).

He could sail through college if only he'd bother to go to class, take tests and write the papers that are assigned, but he doesn't bother to do so.... Colleges are aware that there are some people like this, and they tend not to be interested in accepting underperforming students who'll likely flunk out due to lack of interest in how colleges teach.

amarkov

It's very possible that you could get them to recognize your academic independence. But the fact is, in college you still have to take classes that you'd rather not, and do work you don't see the point in. If you're unwilling to do that, sure, you may still be quite intelligent. But why would a college want to accept you, and why would you want to go?

Jaddua

They'll see you as uninspired and lazy.

confusedliz

You say you're studying on your own. Does this mean you're taking online courses or courses at a local college, in which case you have something to show for your work, or are you studying CoD? Because if you don't have anything to show for what you're doing then yes, you will seem lazy.

HitMan

I think it mostly depends on what your academic independence is.

If it is local CC classes, college classes, novel writing, robot building, or something that produces something quantitatively or tangibly, I would say that fine from a college admission point of view.

If you are just reading textbooks and learning for the sake of learning, thats great for personal growth but youre not achieving anything with your new knowledge.

Just my $.02

ColegeBownd

Okay. I mean, I still have a 97 average in all advanced courses. I'm just not taking all the extra AP classes, etc.
So basically, I need to make sure what I'm self-studying has tangible benefits? I think I am doing this. Like, I'm self-studying AP classes so I'll have 4 extra AP tests from that Sound like a plan, man!

Northstarmom

Since you've got a 97 average and are self studying 4 APs, yes what you're doing would impress colleges. You might want to check out colleges like Reed, New College of Florida, and Hampshire College in addition to place like Harvard, all of which appreciate and and have good options or self-directed students.

katliamom

agree with NSM... and the subject of your self-study vs. traditional AP courses would make an interesting essay topic.

amarkov

Who precisely is telling you that a 97 average in honors courses qualifies as a "downfall of grades and coursework"?

ColegeBownd

Well I've still been holding my grades up because I'm not yet ready to risk dropping them. And a 97 average isn't too impressive at a sub-par school like mine, it's just a matter of convincing the teacher to give you a high grade. I'm only in the top 2% of my class.
Next year, I think I'm only going to take my core AP classes, not foreign language, human geography, psychology, etc. and I might let my grades fall a few points in order to have more independent time.

Thanks everybody!

SaintSaens

"I'm only in the top 2% of my class."

You cannot be serious.

You could just put even more into your school work if you wanted to be valedictorian, but being in the top 2% of you class is quite an achievement.