Technically, DE classes have the same shortcomings at many “elite” schools. They called them “preparations” and most will not grant credit. But IMO, if they help you get in, it’s still a win.
Agreed. DE or any summer classes taken at local colleges would not have been accepted at my kids primary colleges. That’s a problem this summer for example when my soon my rising sophomore is back and could take classes at the local community college or Rutgers but his primary college won’t accept them. He could take them just for knowledge, but that’s expensive.
I was thinking about taking Psychology over the summer through a local community college, but it would only offer me the college credit.
However, there was a lot of mixed opinions on this. Some people have told me it was a bad idea because it would look like I was over-achieving, I would’ve wasted my summer, and the colleges (mainly the top ones I want to get into) would look over me as I have completed “a lot” of college credits so far. But, since it is Psychology and my schedule is pretty jam-packed for next year, I was interested in the class for the knowledge, not primarily for the credit. Now, I’m not sure 
Anyone’s thoughts? What should I do??
Although using Stanford and Carnegie as example, they have modified their DE policies since 2020. Now their websites both say reviewed pending certain condition. So it’s no longer a hard no.
Sadly Columbia has no such modified option. Select students can petition to accept outside college course but under vary narrow circumstances that usually are a result of being in severe academic jeopardy. A student in good standing basically cannot. The only exception, sort of, is foreign language and only if the result is proven by a Columbia placement test afterward.
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When you apply to college, they will lump your HS grades AND college grades and figure out your total GPA. In fact, IMO it’s best to keep them separate because some schools that “may” accept DE will not take them if you used them for HS requirements.
As for your comment about being seen as overachieving, that will depend on how you view yourself. If you are curious, ambitious and optimizing your learning opportunity for learning and exploration, that is seen in a different light than taking classes just to boost your grades and get into XXX school.
There is some kid on the UCLA thread who have completed something like 70 units between AP and DE.
Again, if your schedule is jam packed, then do not over reach. There is no point doing that. But if you are considering self study for an AP test, people here have told you that there are better use of your time.
I know kids who did engineering at Penn State. Reportedly, at orientation, a guy asked who had taken AP Calc. Almost everybody raised their hand. He asked how many got a 5. Most of the kids kept their hands up.
He said great. Nice work. Take Calc 1 anyway. AP Calc isn’t close.
I think you can actually make a strong case for Lit and Lang. At lots of places they can get you out of freshman comp.
And languages. If seen schools offering a ridiculous number of credits for a 5 on Spanish. Like you’re halfway to a major for crying out loud.
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That’s going to vary by the school – both where the AP was taught and where they go to college. My older son got a 3 on AP Calc BC senior year and had to take a separate placement test at his selective college to determine where he would start in math. Still placed into multivariable, and continued to get A’s in the math course thereafter. So his HS class prepped him just fine by the standards of that college. The younger son goes to a different Ivy than Penn and also placed out of Calc and started first semester in an honor math course that starts with proof-based linear algebra.
The school district provides the site and proctors.
The high schools submit their paid numbers to the district and College Board.
If high school “A” has a significant percentage of their students taking AP tests, they confirm their numbers and confirm with the College Board.
If high school B doesn’t have a majority of their students taking tests, then they report their numbers and the school district informs the college board.
High school “A” may take high school “B’s”students.
Lately, this isn’t an issue.
Also, the school is concerned about cheating. Students who are not enrolled in that high school AP class, may not be allowed to take the test. Exceptions could be with home schooled students who are advised at the beginning of the year to advise the school district. They pay and the district assigns those students to a local school.
I was told by two admissions officers at two different top 10’s that they don’t care at all about self studying for an AP and there was really no point.