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Is self studying a bad idea?

goldengalapagosplatypigoldengalapagosplatypi Registered User Posts: 8 New Member
in High School Life
I am taking the actual class for ap psych and ap world history, I am planning on self studying for the following
human geo
environmental science
us gov

I am kind of iffy about self studying for us gov because I heard arguments on both sides of the table. i haven't ever taken an AP before which I know may be a bad idea but my school doesn't offer the classes im self studying for anyway so you know. should I just take everything I say except us gov, or is there a course I can supplement us gov in that would be a good first ap for a sophomore. (Im interested in either a science or history/ social class)
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Replies to: Is self studying a bad idea?

  • LoveTheBardLoveTheBard Registered User Posts: 2,025 Senior Member
    Unless a prospective school will give you credit for a high AP score, thereby fulfilling some of its requirements and/or allowing you to take more advanced classes, it's a waste of time (and money). Self-studying APs is not going to make you a stronger candidate in the eyes of Adcoms.

    What other APs does your school offer? You should definitely take APUSH if it's available. APEuro is another good choice if it's offered. AP Environmental Science and HumGeo are not considered in the same stratosphere as APUSH or APEuro. AP US Gov or (or Comparative Gov) is fine, but take the classes -- not just the exam.
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  • goldengalapagosplatypigoldengalapagosplatypi Registered User Posts: 8 New Member
    world and psych are the only ones my school offers so I knew for sure that self studying would be my best bet to get college credit. would you suggest apush self study? having had no prior ap experience I thought that one would be abad idea thats why I was taking gov, I heard its easy and good if you want the exam experience as being a sophomore whats your advice
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  • happy1happy1 Forum Champion Parents, Forum Champion Admissions Posts: 23,372 Forum Champion
    I think your time could be better spent than self-studying for AP exams.
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  • bopperbopper Forum Champion CWRU Posts: 12,397 Forum Champion
    Self-studying APs does not help you with admissions. They don't look at your AP test scores for admissions...seniors who take APs don't get the scores back until after they are admitted.

    So if you do it, you would be doing it for College credit. See if your colleges of choice would give you credit and if that credit would be useful. Like for ES..if you for exampled wanted to be an engineer you would take other sciences...maybe you could get elective credit?

    Also realize that doing well in your HS courses is vastly more important than self studying...also would you have time to do ECs if you are self studying?

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