Why don't colleges like self-studiers?

guineagirl96
Wed, 24 Sep 2014 16:22:04 +0000

Because usually they have the wrong motivation and don’t actually learn the coursework. Colleges prefer you to take the class, because you learn much more than what you just memorize to score a 3+ on the exam- there’s much more to most of these courses than facts: learning to write, analysis, working in a lab, etc. It doesn’t add course rigor because you aren’t spending the time in it you would a normal course, even a regular course. Most of what you learn in that 3 months you self-study you won’t remember in college, but if you take a year long course, you’re more likely to remember. Also, AP scores don’t have bearing on admission, so its pointless to do it to try to “impress” them. It won’t- you just look score driven and like you don’t care about learning. There are a couple exceptions to this that are deemed appropriate reasons, but they still don’t help your app. Self-studying is good for if your school doesn’t offer a course but you really want to learn it and get college credit (such is in your case by looking at your other threads), or if you are taking an honors course on the subject and wish to extend your knowledge and get credit. Another reason is if your school offers it, but it is impossible for you to actually take the course (conflicts or restrictions), although this last one colleges still prefer if you take the course, they just understand the situation.