<p>I’m an international student. I’m studying in high school which does not provide AP courses. But I plan to learn some AP courses by myself and take AP tests next year. BTW, I’m applying for the 2012 fall term. But I’m going to fill the application forms now and obviously I don’t have any AP scores available now. And I’m not taking AP courses. Does anyone know what I should fill in the AP part of the application forms? Since actually I will have some AP scores before entering colleges. So if I write nothing, will it be a serious disadvantage of my application?</p>
<p>The answer is nothing since they will be either asking for AP scores you already have or AP courses you have taken or are actually taking and not self-study. If you are self studying for AP, you can mention it in an essay. Essay can also mention that your school has no AP courses – lack of AP is not something considered against a student if there are no AP copurses at his school.</p>
<p>But I saw some of the application forms (I can’t remember which schools’ forms) ask the applicants to list what AP couses they have taken or what they are currently taking. So I am worrying about this…T_T</p>
<p>Since your school doesn’t offer them, then put down Not Applicable.</p>
<p>If you can fill in the space with statement that your school does not offer them, do so. That a form requests you to list AP courses does not mean the college will hold your not having any against you as long as you say somewhere in the application or essay that your school has none. Also, be aware that colleges are aware that many internationals won’t have AP courses because they are not offered in their country.</p>
<p>Information about available coursework is addressed by your GC in the Secondary School Report. Part of the information they provide is a list of courses offered at your school, so colleges will know that your school does not offer APs.</p>
<p>As far as self-studying for APs, you can state it in the Additional Information section. It does not belong in the area for reporting test scores as that is only for tests you have already taken. And it should not be reported on your current sr class schedule as it is not an official class you are taking. </p>
<p>How much a college will take your self-study into consideration is up to them, and is likely to be minimal, because when decisions are made, you will have neither a grade or a test score to substantiate your assertation. </p>
<p>If you want to self-study APs for the purpose of placement or bypassing courses in college, that’s fine. But if you are doing it to substantially improve your college application, IMO it is unlikely to do this.</p>