What AP scores should be sent to colleges?

[Anonymous]

OK, this is premature, since Junior DC just wrapped up a bunch of AP tests and doesn't know the scores. He is really confident about a couple of the results and not so much on the others. I am curious what is the philosophy about sending colleges scores? If the student is not happy with a score, should it be withheld, or does that create a negative inference since he took the class? Is it always advantageous to send 4s and 5s? What about 3s? If a 3 is enough for course credit or placing out of an intro course, should it be submitted with the application, or should the score be submitted after enrollment? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I don't know that I can answer which scores should be sent - you should talk with your school's college counselor or maybe someone else can confirm. However, I believe that if you wish to withhold some of the scores you need to have it in writing to the College Board (who administers the AP tests). Otherwise they will send all of the scores. I don't know how long the process takes so it would be worth looking into sooner than later.

[Anonymous]

Some bad advice here. I don't know anyone who waits until fall of senior year to take the first SAT.

I agree that PSAT prep is worthwhile for students who are strong testers. My DD has a SAT score that suggests she could have had a NMSF score with a little prep. She'll be commended instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some bad advice here. I don't know anyone who waits until fall of senior year to take the first SAT.

I agree that PSAT prep is worthwhile for students who are strong testers. My DD has a SAT score that suggests she could have had a NMSF score with a little prep. She'll be commended instead.

Who said to wait until senior year or even mentioned this topic ? The OP asked about sending AP scores to colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some bad advice here. I don't know anyone who waits until fall of senior year to take the first SAT.

I agree that PSAT prep is worthwhile for students who are strong testers. My DD has a SAT score that suggests she could have had a NMSF score with a little prep. She'll be commended instead.

what post are you responding to?

[Anonymous]

You don't send AP scores as part of the application, official scores are sent once you enroll. You can self report scores on the common app. My DC did that. DC had 4s/5s on all APs (9-11th grade, 12th grade ones of course aren't available yet) so reported all. I would not report a 3 but not sure how that looks if you are leaving out a score when it's obvious he's taken the class. Best to talk to the counselor on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some bad advice here. I don't know anyone who waits until fall of senior year to take the first SAT.

I agree that PSAT prep is worthwhile for students who are strong testers. My DD has a SAT score that suggests she could have had a NMSF score with a little prep. She'll be commended instead.

what post are you responding to?

She's on the wrong thread - there's a PSAT prep thread. Talk about your bad/inappropriate advice....

[Anonymous]

If the scores are 4/5, they can help your application - go ahead and send them (especially 5s). If a 3, don't send. DD got 3 3s and 3 5s, sent only the 5s and was fine. (Accepted at UVA and UNC.) You can wait until you get the results and then decide (though it costs a bit more to send them after the fact). Not every school requires that you take the AP exam, so not sending it doesn't necessarily mean you did poorly. JMHO.

[Anonymous]

^14:46 again - agree that they usally aren't part of official applications, generally just self-reported - but you can send them in to have them included in your file.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't send AP scores as part of the application, official scores are sent once you enroll. You can self report scores on the common app. My DC did that. DC had 4s/5s on all APs (9-11th grade, 12th grade ones of course aren't available yet) so reported all. I would not report a 3 but not sure how that looks if you are leaving out a score when it's obvious he's taken the class. Best to talk to the counselor on this.

Actually, you can self-report and should if the scores are good. It can help your application look a bit better. You will need to also report the scores officially after you've accepted a spot and enrolled, though.

[Anonymous]

In DC's case, the only point of the AP tests was to help make the application look good. DC ended up at a college that doesn't accept any of DC's 8-9 AP results for credit. Of course, going into the application process, DC didn't know she'd be attending this particular college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't send AP scores as part of the application, official scores are sent once you enroll. You can self report scores on the common app. My DC did that. DC had 4s/5s on all APs (9-11th grade, 12th grade ones of course aren't available yet) so reported all. I would not report a 3 but not sure how that looks if you are leaving out a score when it's obvious he's taken the class. Best to talk to the counselor on this.

Actually, you can self-report and should if the scores are good. It can help your application look a bit better. You will need to also report the scores officially after you've accepted a spot and enrolled, though.

Isn't that exactly what I said above?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't send AP scores as part of the application, official scores are sent once you enroll. You can self report scores on the common app. My DC did that. DC had 4s/5s on all APs (9-11th grade, 12th grade ones of course aren't available yet) so reported all. I would not report a 3 but not sure how that looks if you are leaving out a score when it's obvious he's taken the class. Best to talk to the counselor on this.

Actually, you can self-report and should if the scores are good. It can help your application look a bit better. You will need to also report the scores officially after you've accepted a spot and enrolled, though.

Isn't that exactly what I said above?

You're right….I missed the part where you said you self report with the common app. I paid most attention to your first sentence…sorry about that! Ugh - I read too fast...

[Anonymous]

All scores of 4 or 5.