AP Testing Still a Thing at Sidwell/GDS/Maret/Potomac/St Albans/NCS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, don't let them tell you otherwise. AP tests are still very much a thing at one of these schools. The top students take many.

Really? This is my second DC at our Big3 and my kids have never taken an AP exam except AP Spanish a few years ago. I had no idea they were “very much” a thing. Only kids my DC knew that took them were applying to St. Andrews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the DOJ announcement that concluded collusion did occur but DOJ chose not to prosecute

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-concludes-its-investigation-dc-area-private-high-schools-decision-stop

No concern over these schools breaking the law? Maybe certain people don't really need to follow all the rules.

Of course. That's why we attend these schools in the first place. Rules aren't meant for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if you can choose which AP scores to send to colleges (official score report from college board)? if you take 3 APs in a year, can you send only 1 or 2 of the scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's the DOJ announcement that concluded collusion did occur but DOJ chose not to prosecute

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-concludes-its-investigation-dc-area-private-high-schools-decision-stop

No concern over these schools breaking the law? Maybe certain people don't really need to follow all the rules.

Of course. That's why we attend these schools in the first place. Rules aren't meant for everyone.

How is there collusion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know if you can choose which AP scores to send to colleges (official score report from college board)? if you take 3 APs in a year, can you send only 1 or 2 of the scores?

Also curious!

[Anonymous]

Much easier to just teach a handful of fave parts of the subject than more breadth or an IB or an AP curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We all know that a number of DC area private schools got rid of AP courses (subsequent DOJ investigation followed too)

Parent here and have noticed that while the school does not teach the "AP class" it still offers the AP test to students who want to take it if they study for the test on their own.

Other parents and I have asked college advising office and they have said "do not take the AP tests, colleges know DC private schools don't do AP so the test itself gives the kid zero benefit"

So it surprised me to see that perhaps a dozen kids are taking AP tests in a number of high-level courses in the AP subject areas at my kid's school and then to hear that the teachers are doing extra help sessions for kids taking the AP tests. I've heard the same from parents at one or two of the other DC private schools.

Is this parents being pushy? College advising office fibbing about US colleges knowing that DC schools dont offer APs? A bit of both? Or are there that many kids applying for UK colleges that require a minimum number of AP tests regardless of what DC schools decided to do?

Truly confused and sensing some mixed messaging. I mean if some kids take the AP tests then doesn't that entirely negate the "we don't have APs" narrative that these DC schools are banded together to announce two years ago to colleges?

I’m glad some teachers have the integrity to teach their students to do well in the test and cover more material and make it cohesive and comprehensive for them. Some years the AP even provides direction and scope to some of the open ended questions, so if a teacher obtained that information and did not inform the class, I’d be livid.
Scores of 5 on core subjects are very valid for testing out to the next level or a prerequisite at many top colleges. Then one can double major, do more internships, do a study abroad, etc during their 4 years at undergrad.

Do your homework yourself parents. Some Wash DC private schools are counting on your ignorance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only real benefit of taking the AP tests is to earn credit for courses at college. The problem is that many colleges now no longer award credit for these courses. Many colleges and universities have claimed the APs are not equivalent to the rigor of most college courses. Of course, colleges also have a financial investment in requiring students to take as many credits as possible. For a few years, some colleges were using AP scores in lieu of standardized test scores. If you're DC wants to take the test, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't. Just know there are fees involved and, depending on the number of AP tests they take, it can become expensive.

It’s on each colleges website. A score of 5 will suffice for XYZ classes by department or major.

In schools with no grades, no rank, only whole grades/nonplussed or minuses, the AP test scores delineate between low A students and too A students.

And as we all know, you compete for a seat versus your own gender and racial/ethnic group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again - I see lots of comments about AP tests being used to place out of college classes. I get that.

What about the AP test scores being used in admissions as a sign of rigor or academic qualification? I guess that's the question behind my question.

Yes, it puts the grade in the equivalent class into a broader perspective.

Thanks - so in that case, why are these school college advising offices discouraging the AP test for applicants to the most elite colleges?

NP. This is my concern. How do the schools communicate rigor to colleges, especially if DC wants to apply to a college unfamiliar with these DMV schools? With the current test optional environment, it seems like eliminating another standard isn't a great idea?

Just be quiet and only apply to the tiny liberal Slacs your upper school does know. Then grad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again - I see lots of comments about AP tests being used to place out of college classes. I get that.

What about the AP test scores being used in admissions as a sign of rigor or academic qualification? I guess that's the question behind my question.

Yes, it puts the grade in the equivalent class into a broader perspective.

Thanks - so in that case, why are these school college advising offices discouraging the AP test for applicants to the most elite colleges?

NP. This is my concern. How do the schools communicate rigor to colleges, especially if DC wants to apply to a college unfamiliar with these DMV schools? With the current test optional environment, it seems like eliminating another standard isn't a great idea?

Grades and courseload.

What course designation in private schools would an out of state college admissions recognize as "rigorous"?

The privates generally define what course load is rigorous and send that out with the school profile.

How? The common app counselor letter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again - I see lots of comments about AP tests being used to place out of college classes. I get that.

What about the AP test scores being used in admissions as a sign of rigor or academic qualification? I guess that's the question behind my question.

Yes, it puts the grade in the equivalent class into a broader perspective.

Thanks - so in that case, why are these school college advising offices discouraging the AP test for applicants to the most elite colleges?

NP. This is my concern. How do the schools communicate rigor to colleges, especially if DC wants to apply to a college unfamiliar with these DMV schools? With the current test optional environment, it seems like eliminating another standard isn't a great idea?

Just be quiet and only apply to the tiny liberal Slacs your upper school does know. Then grad school.

This is definitely the way to go. My DC refused to even look at SLACs and only applied to state flagships and bigger private universities. Many more WL and rejections than her friends that had similar stats and applied to top SLACs. Those kids are all headed to top SLACs that seem to love the Big3 grads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, don't let them tell you otherwise. AP tests are still very much a thing at one of these schools. The top students take many.

Really? This is my second DC at our Big3 and my kids have never taken an AP exam except AP Spanish a few years ago. I had no idea they were “very much” a thing. Only kids my DC knew that took them were applying to St. Andrews.

PP. Then clearly our children go to different schools.

[Anonymous]

UK and Irish universities will require AP or IB scores to apply there from the US, generally. Their admission criteria to even be considered will generally state you need 5 APs of 4+ or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again - I see lots of comments about AP tests being used to place out of college classes. I get that.

What about the AP test scores being used in admissions as a sign of rigor or academic qualification? I guess that's the question behind my question.

Yes, it puts the grade in the equivalent class into a broader perspective.

Thanks - so in that case, why are these school college advising offices discouraging the AP test for applicants to the most elite colleges?

NP. This is my concern. How do the schools communicate rigor to colleges, especially if DC wants to apply to a college unfamiliar with these DMV schools? With the current test optional environment, it seems like eliminating another standard isn't a great idea?

Just be quiet and only apply to the tiny liberal Slacs your upper school does know. Then grad school.

This is definitely the way to go. My DC refused to even look at SLACs and only applied to state flagships and bigger private universities. Many more WL and rejections than her friends that had similar stats and applied to top SLACs. Those kids are all headed to top SLACs that seem to love the Big3 grads.

are all headed to top SLACs that seem to love the Big3 grads.

That’s horrible to learn.
What if you wanted a larger school with spirit and sports and a certain program or recruiting?
To have to apply to more of the same as upper school is disappointing. Our kids can’t wait to get out of here.

[Anonymous]

The AP program was completely bogus and pushed largely by Washington Post cheerleader/journalist Jay Mathews and his “Challenge Index” which ranked public schools by the number of tests that were administered per student and not by the pass rate. This led to government funding of AP tests for low income schools under the guise of “equality.”

The DOJ should investigate Mathews and the College Board.