<p>Hi,
I was wondering whether self studying can count towards admission. Let’s say I get a textbook of Mechanical Engineering, and finish that course on my own by studying. What should I do after that? How can I include that in my resume for college?
Thanks</p>
<p>Since there’s no standard freely available test, as there is for basic physics or other courses, you can only mention it. But before you do that, take the standard tests that you CAN take - AP, CLEP, or SAT II.</p>
<p>Without exception you need some official record of having taken the course and completed it with an externally vetted high grade and ideally a recommendation from a teacher for the effort to have any bearing on admissions.</p>
<p>You have some options:</p>
<p>(1) Take the course at a local university possibly as part of an extended education program. Take it for a grade.
(2) Take it as an independent study course. Find a teacher who will sponsor you, assess your progress, and provide a grade.
(3) Take it online – possibly on coursera. See for example <a href=“https://www.coursera.org/course/statics1[/url]”>https://www.coursera.org/course/statics1</a>. Take the final exam. Get the certificate of completion.
(4) Self study a course that has an associated AP exam. Take the exam. Strive for a 5. This works only in sophomore or junior year since you want to report the AP exam grade.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>