AP Scores - Honest Feedback on How Much They Matter in the College Admissions Process

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No idea. My 2024 had all 5s and reported them and a single sitting 36, 36, 35, 34 ACT. Did very well RD- T10/20s at an Ivy.

They don’t matter in the sense that they don’t count against you. But I think it’s just another way you can show you are ready for college work and that your GPA isn’t inflated.

My kid has all 4s and 5s but is struggling with the SAT and will likely go TO, so I’m hoping the AP scores help a bit in this regard.

I think they’re very good in that context.

i just started a thread if multiple 5s in hard aps help a 1430 with str8As and toughest courseload
kid taking again but scared if they will do better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am on the opposite end - my above average (but not exceptional at all the things) DD got a 3, and I’m super proud. She was in 10th. Will colleges take that for an elective/gen ed class?

Some might, it depends on the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It matters a tiny bit but not as much as the other factors. It would matter more if in areas he planned to study. A 3 is a pass; our private school says submit 3s because colleges assume a 1 or 2 if you don’t. Apply broadly and write quality essays.

This is a fair point but it depends on context.

I was talking to a C5 AO (at an outside event) and they mentioned that they want AP classes AND they want the test scores especially if you are from certain parts of the country (specifically Texas in this conversation). The reasoning is that Honors courses were meaningless and without the scores AP classes were meaningless because they were not confident in the course rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid had all 5s on their 10+ APs, 1580 SAT, 4.0 uwgpa, 4.92 wgpa, from a magnet program, and got rejected from T10. They are a CS major, though, so that doesn't help.

I know of kids who had lower stats than my DC and got into T10.

T10s look for other things than stats.

Did your child EA or ED anywhere? I'm assuming they ended up at a T20, which is fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it helps put things in perspective: for highly selective colleges, even top stats don’t guarantee admission. DC had perfect SAT scores, was a National Merit Semifinalist, earned a 4.0 unweighted GPA in rigorous courses, and scored all 5s on her AP exams — and she still wasn’t accepted

But where did your child end up? I'm assuming it's still a "highly selective college" right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it helps put things in perspective: for highly selective colleges, even top stats don’t guarantee admission. DC had perfect SAT scores, was a National Merit Semifinalist, earned a 4.0 unweighted GPA in rigorous courses, and scored all 5s on her AP exams — and she still wasn’t accepted

+1. Each T10 is hosting a dinner party and they want the most interesting guests. Unfortunately, kids like PP’s are a dime a dozen. Focus on what makes your kid unique, and remember that ultimately, your kid wants to be at a party that’s fun and fits them right.

[Anonymous]

My kid had above a 1500, 4.0 UW/4.5W and reported all 4s and 5s (left off their one 3). Average EC’s (solid but nothing amazing), just an involved kid with community and school-level leadership, sports, etc. no research or national competitions or anything like that.

Based on current USNews rankings:
T20: accepted 1 (also legacy here), waitlist 2, rejected 3
T21-30: accepted 2, waitlist 2, rejected 2
T31-50: accepted 2, waitlist 1
T51+: accepted to all applied

[Anonymous]

The importance of AP and Sat/ACT is that they validate your grades. If you have high test scores but lower GPA, you don’t try hard enough in school. If you have high GPA but lower scores, maybe your school inflates grading and the rigor isn’t there. You want them to corroborate each other.

[Anonymous]

They matter at the Ivies, Georgetown, MIT and in Europe - as a key substitute for A levels or similar subject exams.

Oxford & Cambridge will require a minimum of 5 AP's in subjects relevant to the major at exam grade 5.

But they will also expect their own exams to be part of the equation as well as in depth interviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid had all 5s on their 10+ APs, 1580 SAT, 4.0 uwgpa, 4.92 wgpa, from a magnet program, and got rejected from T10. They are a CS major, though, so that doesn't help.

I know of kids who had lower stats than my DC and got into T10.

T10s look for other things than stats.

Did your child EA or ED anywhere? I'm assuming they ended up at a T20, which is fantastic.

Deferred Georgetown EA. Accepted RD to two Ivies, Hopkins and Pomona.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid had all 5s on their 10+ APs, 1580 SAT, 4.0 uwgpa, 4.92 wgpa, from a magnet program, and got rejected from T10. They are a CS major, though, so that doesn't help.

I know of kids who had lower stats than my DC and got into T10.

T10s look for other things than stats.

Did your child EA or ED anywhere? I'm assuming they ended up at a T20, which is fantastic.

Deferred Georgetown EA. Accepted RD to two Ivies, Hopkins and Pomona.

Sorry responded to wrong thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid had above a 1500, 4.0 UW/4.5W and reported all 4s and 5s (left off their one 3). Average EC’s (solid but nothing amazing), just an involved kid with community and school-level leadership, sports, etc. no research or national competitions or anything like that.

Based on current USNews rankings:
T20: accepted 1 (also legacy here), waitlist 2, rejected 3
T21-30: accepted 2, waitlist 2, rejected 2
T31-50: accepted 2, waitlist 1
T51+: accepted to all applied

How many schools did your kid apply to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much do AP scores matter in the college admissions process at the super selective schools? I have a child with excellent SAT scores (1550+) and will likely be a National Merit Semifinalist, excellent grades in rigorous classes (4.0 unweighted), and excellent ECs, but incredibly underwhelming AP exam scores (three 5s, three 4s, and two 3s). The three 5s and three 4s are related to his potential major. Has anyone successfully gotten into a Top 10 with AP scores this low? I assume we would not report the two 3s? Today was not a good day with the AP results.

DC '25 had identical AP scores after junior year and did not report 3s. Got into 2 Ivies, 2 WASPs, and one of the toughest state flagships for OOS applicants, among others. So much depends on overall package. These scores alone will not preclude admission, especially if 5s relate to intended major.

? are there colleges that only allow white anglo saxon protestants?

Taking this question at face value, assuming you are new to DCUM and the college process: WASP = Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Pomona

[Anonymous]

1540, mix of 4s and 5s
Admitted 2 top 20s including an ivy
Rejected 5 top 20s
Waitlisted 2 top 20s

[Anonymous]

This thread makes my blood boil. You people have lost your minds.