<p>I want to get into a school with a good economics and IR program, and I want to take courses next year which is related to that field but my school doesn’t offer it. I want to take AP World History, AP Comparative Gov. and Politics, and AP Research. My school has said that I can self study these courses but they would not put it on my transcript even if I take an online course. If I take the courses then my senior year schedule looks pretty bad, as my school day would end in 6th period. My question is would colleges care about my schedule if I am self studying for the courses related to my major?</p>
<p>Studying for an AP test is not the same as taking an AP class. AP tests dont go on your academic record and arent counted as rigor. Thats not to say that they wont help you, but you will have to enter them somewhere else on your application. </p>
<p>I dont think colleges will care about how many classes you took but they will check if you took advantage of all the college level, AP, honors and similar opportunities at your school. It isnt that important to them if those classes arent in your field. </p>
<p>Consider community college classes instead if you have access to them. That generates a transcript thats included in your ap and you still get college credit. </p>
<p>I went to a big, very good high school. There were no AP courses offered. I checked this school’s offerings last year and there are about 6 AP courses offered. Kids from that school went to MIT and Harvard and the state flagship and just about anywhere else they wanted too. A few very very gifted students took a math class or a bio class at the university in town, but 99% of us were served well by the high school offerings.</p>
<p>Another option is a community college dual enrollment, or a virtual school, but I really wouldn’t worry. Study high school things in high school, and leave the college courses till college.</p>
<p>Most colleges you apply to are going to look at the courses you took in high school compared to WHAT IS OFFERED AT YOUR SCHOOL. Typically, they aren’t going to penalize you for not taking something your school doesn’t offer. That being said, if IR is your interest, I think you have a better chance of improving your college shots if you choose to be involved in one or more activities that are related to this interest. Maybe you take a college course at a local community college that is international-relations based; maybe you travel; maybe its Model UN, etc. </p>