<p>I have been a heavy proponent of self-studying APs and just taking the exams if your high school doesn’t have that many AP courses (mine had five). I ended up taking 14 AP exams by the time of graduation (8 by the time of application) and I think it probably had a big significance since academically it was hard for us to distinguish ourselves (we don’t have academic competitions…etc. in the international school circuit and otherwise I would only be applying to MIT with only 2 AP fives, rather than 8).</p>
<p>I would say they definitely look at it, but how much of a difference it makes depends on your school background as well.</p>