Do AP scores matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Oxford and Cambridge want to see five scores of 5 or higher."

You can get higher than a 5???

Clearly the poster meant at least 5 scores of 5.

Oh ok, thanks. This is OP and I honestly didn't know if I was missing something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them. And it certainly doesn't hurt if you also do really well on the AP exams themselves and let colleges know your scores.

The overwhelming majority of colleges will tell you, though, the scores themselves have little or no impact on college admissions. And how could they, anyway? Most students will have taken half or more of their AP classes in the senior year, and won't have scores on any of those exams until well after they've already been admitted to college.

No true. Colleges want you to take the highest level courses you're capable of being successful in (A or B grade usually), and would wonder why you're taking AP classes if you're getting a C or below a 3 on the exam. And in some high schools, the most advanced kids have already taken 5-10 AP classes by the end of 11th grade. Colleges will absolutely be interested in how well students do on those exams.

What's your source?

15 years of college counseling in a high school with many very high-achieving students.

Ok, great, so you can name specific colleges and what their policies were/are and give us real, helpful and concrete examples. Go for it. We're all ears.

Oh, and while you're at it, where are these high school where kids have 10 AP classes under their belt before their senior year? Can you rattle of a few? That would be great, too.

Thanks.

Your first request is nonsensical and unnecessary. Colleges don't have policies for what levels high school students should take. But if you're a school counselor and ask them privately because you want to get answers for your students who want to know, they'll tell you their opinions. I don't know that they'd be so forthcoming with applicants/parents, because they don't want to be quoted on something that might upset some people for whatever reason.

Your second request can't serve any purpose that I can see, so I suspect you're just trying to impress everyone with your snarkiness. Take a look at the course catalogue of any high-achieving high school yourself and you'll be able to verify that their are many AP courses open to kids in grades 9-11. And each of those schools will have many students taking advantage of that.

You're welcome.

You've given a non-answer, just as I expected you would.

We're not talking about "what levels high school students should take." We're talking specifically about the weight that colleges attach to AP exam scores in the admissions process.

[Anonymous]

The weight of APs is little to none unless your child is first gen or POC.
Then - amazing! Regardless of score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The weight of APs is little to none unless your child is first gen or POC.
Then - amazing! Regardless of score.

Go away, racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them. And it certainly doesn't hurt if you also do really well on the AP exams themselves and let colleges know your scores.

The overwhelming majority of colleges will tell you, though, the scores themselves have little or no impact on college admissions. And how could they, anyway? Most students will have taken half or more of their AP classes in the senior year, and won't have scores on any of those exams until well after they've already been admitted to college.

No true. Colleges want you to take the highest level courses you're capable of being successful in (A or B grade usually), and would wonder why you're taking AP classes if you're getting a C or below a 3 on the exam. And in some high schools, the most advanced kids have already taken 5-10 AP classes by the end of 11th grade. Colleges will absolutely be interested in how well students do on those exams.

What's your source?

15 years of college counseling in a high school with many very high-achieving students.

Ok, great, so you can name specific colleges and what their policies were/are and give us real, helpful and concrete examples. Go for it. We're all ears.

Oh, and while you're at it, where are these high school where kids have 10 AP classes under their belt before their senior year? Can you rattle of a few? That would be great, too.

Thanks.

Your first request is nonsensical and unnecessary. Colleges don't have policies for what levels high school students should take. But if you're a school counselor and ask them privately because you want to get answers for your students who want to know, they'll tell you their opinions. I don't know that they'd be so forthcoming with applicants/parents, because they don't want to be quoted on something that might upset some people for whatever reason.

Your second request can't serve any purpose that I can see, so I suspect you're just trying to impress everyone with your snarkiness. Take a look at the course catalogue of any high-achieving high school yourself and you'll be able to verify that their are many AP courses open to kids in grades 9-11. And each of those schools will have many students taking advantage of that.

You're welcome.

You've given a non-answer, just as I expected you would.

We're not talking about "what levels high school students should take." We're talking specifically about the weight that colleges attach to AP exam scores in the admissions process.

But you started the conversation about what levels students should take by saying "Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them".

No college is going to specify a weight they attach to AP classes or exam scores, because there are too many schools that don't even offer AP or that limit how many you take. With over 20,000 high schools in the country, it would be foolish to give a specific weight. You can get some idea of what they value from which courses they'll give college credit for, though. And if you have taken the classes before they make a decision, they will definitely be interested in how you did. It wouldn't make sense not to take interest in a student who scored 4 or 5 on 10 AP exams before senior year.

I'm not speculating here. Like I said before, this comes from many years of asking college reps about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them. And it certainly doesn't hurt if you also do really well on the AP exams themselves and let colleges know your scores.

The overwhelming majority of colleges will tell you, though, the scores themselves have little or no impact on college admissions. And how could they, anyway? Most students will have taken half or more of their AP classes in the senior year, and won't have scores on any of those exams until well after they've already been admitted to college.

No true. Colleges want you to take the highest level courses you're capable of being successful in (A or B grade usually), and would wonder why you're taking AP classes if you're getting a C or below a 3 on the exam. And in some high schools, the most advanced kids have already taken 5-10 AP classes by the end of 11th grade. Colleges will absolutely be interested in how well students do on those exams.

What's your source?

15 years of college counseling in a high school with many very high-achieving students.

Ok, great, so you can name specific colleges and what their policies were/are and give us real, helpful and concrete examples. Go for it. We're all ears.

Oh, and while you're at it, where are these high school where kids have 10 AP classes under their belt before their senior year? Can you rattle of a few? That would be great, too.

Thanks.

Your first request is nonsensical and unnecessary. Colleges don't have policies for what levels high school students should take. But if you're a school counselor and ask them privately because you want to get answers for your students who want to know, they'll tell you their opinions. I don't know that they'd be so forthcoming with applicants/parents, because they don't want to be quoted on something that might upset some people for whatever reason.

Your second request can't serve any purpose that I can see, so I suspect you're just trying to impress everyone with your snarkiness. Take a look at the course catalogue of any high-achieving high school yourself and you'll be able to verify that their are many AP courses open to kids in grades 9-11. And each of those schools will have many students taking advantage of that.

You're welcome.

You've given a non-answer, just as I expected you would.

We're not talking about "what levels high school students should take." We're talking specifically about the weight that colleges attach to AP exam scores in the admissions process.

But you started the conversation about what levels students should take by saying "Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them".

No college is going to specify a weight they attach to AP classes or exam scores, because there are too many schools that don't even offer AP or that limit how many you take. With over 20,000 high schools in the country, it would be foolish to give a specific weight. You can get some idea of what they value from which courses they'll give college credit for, though. And if you have taken the classes before they make a decision, they will definitely be interested in how you did. It wouldn't make sense not to take interest in a student who scored 4 or 5 on 10 AP exams before senior year.

I'm not speculating here. Like I said before, this comes from many years of asking college reps about this.

No, I didn't. That was another poster.

[Anonymous]

PP here. And yes, some colleges do expressly state that they do not consider AP exam scores for admission at all. Google NC State for example.

Again, we are talking AP exam scores, not AP classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The weight of APs is little to none unless your child is first gen or POC.
Then - amazing! Regardless of score.

Go away, racist.

Truth.

[Anonymous]

You're right, the statement was racist and not based on any facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DS did not report the individual scores on the application, but did indicate which AP Scholar level attained to date. Will pay to report the actual score if he choses a school that gives credit.

+1. If you took enough APs and generally scored well on them you will list AP Scholar as an award. Schools will know you did well on the exams without having to report them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our DS did not report the individual scores on the application, but did indicate which AP Scholar level attained to date. Will pay to report the actual score if he choses a school that gives credit.

+1. If you took enough APs and generally scored well on them you will list AP Scholar as an award. Schools will know you did well on the exams without having to report them.

Both my kids admitted to Ivy. Did not report any AP scores as they would not clearly help the application if they did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them. And it certainly doesn't hurt if you also do really well on the AP exams themselves and let colleges know your scores.

The overwhelming majority of colleges will tell you, though, the scores themselves have little or no impact on college admissions. And how could they, anyway? Most students will have taken half or more of their AP classes in the senior year, and won't have scores on any of those exams until well after they've already been admitted to college.

No true. Colleges want you to take the highest level courses you're capable of being successful in (A or B grade usually), and would wonder why you're taking AP classes if you're getting a C or below a 3 on the exam. And in some high schools, the most advanced kids have already taken 5-10 AP classes by the end of 11th grade. Colleges will absolutely be interested in how well students do on those exams.

What's your source?

15 years of college counseling in a high school with many very high-achieving students.

Ok, great, so you can name specific colleges and what their policies were/are and give us real, helpful and concrete examples. Go for it. We're all ears.

Oh, and while you're at it, where are these high school where kids have 10 AP classes under their belt before their senior year? Can you rattle of a few? That would be great, too.

Thanks.

Your first request is nonsensical and unnecessary. Colleges don't have policies for what levels high school students should take. But if you're a school counselor and ask them privately because you want to get answers for your students who want to know, they'll tell you their opinions. I don't know that they'd be so forthcoming with applicants/parents, because they don't want to be quoted on something that might upset some people for whatever reason.

Your second request can't serve any purpose that I can see, so I suspect you're just trying to impress everyone with your snarkiness. Take a look at the course catalogue of any high-achieving high school yourself and you'll be able to verify that their are many AP courses open to kids in grades 9-11. And each of those schools will have many students taking advantage of that.

You're welcome.

You've given a non-answer, just as I expected you would.

We're not talking about "what levels high school students should take." We're talking specifically about the weight that colleges attach to AP exam scores in the admissions process.

But you started the conversation about what levels students should take by saying "Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them".

No college is going to specify a weight they attach to AP classes or exam scores, because there are too many schools that don't even offer AP or that limit how many you take. With over 20,000 high schools in the country, it would be foolish to give a specific weight. You can get some idea of what they value from which courses they'll give college credit for, though. And if you have taken the classes before they make a decision, they will definitely be interested in how you did. It wouldn't make sense not to take interest in a student who scored 4 or 5 on 10 AP exams before senior year.

I'm not speculating here. Like I said before, this comes from many years of asking college reps about this.

No, I didn't. That was another poster.

Okay, but if you want people to understand that, you should note that you're a new poster. And regardless, that's how this conversation was started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them. And it certainly doesn't hurt if you also do really well on the AP exams themselves and let colleges know your scores.

The overwhelming majority of colleges will tell you, though, the scores themselves have little or no impact on college admissions. And how could they, anyway? Most students will have taken half or more of their AP classes in the senior year, and won't have scores on any of those exams until well after they've already been admitted to college.

No true. Colleges want you to take the highest level courses you're capable of being successful in (A or B grade usually), and would wonder why you're taking AP classes if you're getting a C or below a 3 on the exam. And in some high schools, the most advanced kids have already taken 5-10 AP classes by the end of 11th grade. Colleges will absolutely be interested in how well students do on those exams.

What's your source?

15 years of college counseling in a high school with many very high-achieving students.

Ok, great, so you can name specific colleges and what their policies were/are and give us real, helpful and concrete examples. Go for it. We're all ears.

Oh, and while you're at it, where are these high school where kids have 10 AP classes under their belt before their senior year? Can you rattle of a few? That would be great, too.

Thanks.

DP here. 10 AP courses under the belt is fairly common for students in my DC's magnet public school (Poolesville High School). I think it is also common for students in Blair, RMIB, Centennial and Riverside in MD. I am sure that these are not unheard of in W schools either. Students who are in IB schools, many a times, double up on both IB and AP.

Define "fairly common" in the non-magnet school context. Give specifics.

Poster after poster offering fluff as gospel.

I am sure there are some high achiever Asian-American students even in non-magnet schools. Fairly common amongst them. Specifically, if a student is also a NMS semifinalist, then probably between 5-10 AP exams before senior year.

What's with the specification of Asian-American students only? High achievers of all backgrounds take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

I was wondering the same. So many assumptions there. Also, the assumption that students in magnets like Blair and RMIB would take more APs. Actually, they's likely take less. My Blair student was not allowed to take an APs as a freshman and takes a lot of magnet classes that are considered the equivalent of APs but have more depth on certain topics. She took AP BS as a Soph, so her math classes as a Jr and Sr are not AP but clearly rigorous. Because these programs offer there own rigorous courses, students may take fewer APs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges really want you to take AP classes if they're offered at your school and get good grades in them. And it certainly doesn't hurt if you also do really well on the AP exams themselves and let colleges know your scores.

The overwhelming majority of colleges will tell you, though, the scores themselves have little or no impact on college admissions. And how could they, anyway? Most students will have taken half or more of their AP classes in the senior year, and won't have scores on any of those exams until well after they've already been admitted to college.

No true. Colleges want you to take the highest level courses you're capable of being successful in (A or B grade usually), and would wonder why you're taking AP classes if you're getting a C or below a 3 on the exam. And in some high schools, the most advanced kids have already taken 5-10 AP classes by the end of 11th grade. Colleges will absolutely be interested in how well students do on those exams.

What's your source?

15 years of college counseling in a high school with many very high-achieving students.

Ok, great, so you can name specific colleges and what their policies were/are and give us real, helpful and concrete examples. Go for it. We're all ears.

Oh, and while you're at it, where are these high school where kids have 10 AP classes under their belt before their senior year? Can you rattle of a few? That would be great, too.

Thanks.

DP here. 10 AP courses under the belt is fairly common for students in my DC's magnet public school (Poolesville High School). I think it is also common for students in Blair, RMIB, Centennial and Riverside in MD. I am sure that these are not unheard of in W schools either. Students who are in IB schools, many a times, double up on both IB and AP.

Define "fairly common" in the non-magnet school context. Give specifics.

Poster after poster offering fluff as gospel.

I am sure there are some high achiever Asian-American students even in non-magnet schools. Fairly common amongst them. Specifically, if a student is also a NMS semifinalist, then probably between 5-10 AP exams before senior year.

What's with the specification of Asian-American students only? High achievers of all backgrounds take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

I was wondering the same. So many assumptions there. Also, the assumption that students in magnets like Blair and RMIB would take more APs. Actually, they's likely take less. My Blair student was not allowed to take an APs as a freshman and takes a lot of magnet classes that are considered the equivalent of APs but have more depth on certain topics. She took AP BS as a Soph, so her math classes as a Jr and Sr are not AP but clearly rigorous. Because these programs offer there own rigorous courses, students may take fewer APs.

That must have been a while ago that a Blair student wasn't allowed to take AP as a freshman, or I'm not understanding something in their course descriptions online. All of their AP science and social studies courses say they're open to all grades, as does calculus. I didn't look at Computer Science and Music Theory, but I'll bet they are, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is applying this year. She had more than one college say that in the age of test optional, they are looking more at APs because they provide objective standards. So submit strong scores (“scores that you believe reflect your achievement,” so something similar)

Of course, you don’t have to turn in AP Scores either. But an unhooked UMC kid with a high GPA and a bunch of APs, and no SAT/ACT or AP scores may have problems.

Name the schools, please. There's simply no reason to hide their names in anonymity. You wouldn't be outing yourself in any way, shape or form.

It is just so unhelpful for posters to say stuff like this without backing it up.

Agree. My DS applied to schools this year and we never heard this. Attended a lot of info sessions. I reviewed his common app and didn’t even see a place to enter scores (unlike SAT and ACT).

Then you didn’t review the common app well. There is a place for them.

Where?