Right…but that has nothing to do with saying AN claiming that you should not include 4s on AP exams doesn’t translate to feeling sad for kids with uneducated parents, sad doe kids who can’t afford a college counselor, and that it shows the rick get richer. People who pay for AN and get bad advice is not showing you that the rich get richer. It’s more a fool and her money are soon parted. |
| If you list the AP exams taken including the self study ones, but not include the scores, would they assume few of those exam scores are not a 4 or 5? |
In this case, do they come back asking for the AP scores, before making an application decision? |
Yes, but how would you know it is bad advice without surfing the universe of advice givers and collating individual information from each AO, each school, and lots of peoples experiences. If you aren’t even aware there is that much knowledge in the universe, it’s your first time doing this, and you don’t have unlimited time, financial resources, or connections, the pathways seems to become much slimmer. |
You are overthinking this. Include or not include them. Whatever you want to do. But, if your kid is an AP Scholar make sure you put that in the awards section. |
| SH is “anti” anything that shows privilege. She doesn’t like any summer programs that you pay for or summer service trips, etc. This thinking is becoming out of touch. Universities are going to want many more full pay students next cycle. Signaling wealth isn’t a bad thing anymore. |
You can list AP courses with grades and AP exam scores, whether or not you took the course or self-studied for the exam. I don’t think you can list the exams taken without including the score. |
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Both of my DCs reported mix of 4s and 5s. Both accepted to Ivies. And the one who did a summer program included it on all their apps (and got into 3 T25 schools).
There is an unfortunate trend on DCUM to lump all summer programs together, from the 1 week ones that anyone who pays can get into to the 5-6 week long ones with competitive applications and at which students engage in college-level work (and where many receive FA to lower or completely cover the tuition). Mine did a program that allowed them to spend a summer completely engaged in their passion and at a school they didn't even end up applying to. They didn't do it for college app purposes, but it would have been insane to omit from their application something that reflected their drive and commitment to that particular subject area. |
How can you even prove its bad advice? I was in AN with one of my kids (not doing again). My kid had very high stats (1580 SAT, 4.0 UW, 4.8 W, 13 APs). Sara H advice was to not submit the 3 4s. My kid insisted on submitting because they were proud of their 4s on English/history tests as a STEM major. Not admitted to an T20 whereas other kids that submitted no scores were. I don't think that was the reason myself, but the truth is no one truly knows what is "bad advice" |
| We reported 4s and 5s across the board and got in everywhere we applied (mainly T20-T50 schools). Going to UVA. |
| And this is why I hate test optional. No one really knows what you should do. |
True. I think people attack her in part because she gets a lot of air time. She’s one opinion. Sure, it’s been a while since she was an insider. But she was a dean of admission and saw how the actual sausage was made. A lot of paid college counselors were just readers and never even got to shape the class and certainly didn’t deal with things like the Z list that happen behind closed doors from all but a few. I would assume Harberson keeps up her contacts to stay fresh and hires young people with fresher knowledge. I definitely disagree with her on some points but the vitriol from some is just weird. |
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So, what are the different ways to report AP scores? Haven't looked at common app yet.
In test scores section. In course list. If you have an AP class listed, but don't report the AP score, does that look bad? Which colleges like added resumes?... (for non-theater majors) |
Interesting. Having activities (EC and summer programs) that signaled wealth worked well for us this year. |
You are always compared to your school’s peers. That should guide every decision you make for the entire process. |