How many APs did you top 20 admit have?

[Anonymous]

I think the gray area becomes when you're a top student and take APs and don't get 5s on them.

My friend's kid took 15 APs, but got three 4s (2 from the ones she took in 9th grade). She didn't get into a single Ivy, but did get into U Mich Ross (OOS) which is quite the accomplishment.

But she was disappointed that several kids at her school who only had 9-10 APs got into Ivies, because they had options to take harder classes but didn't.

[Anonymous]

Mine took 9 APs (though we don’t call them that anymore and they don’t teach to the test) and only 3 AP tests… got 2 5’s and 1 4. Got into a HPY unhooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine took 9 APs (though we don’t call them that anymore and they don’t teach to the test) and only 3 AP tests… got 2 5’s and 1 4. Got into a HPY unhooked.

How? Perfect test scores? Rich private school kid with "unusual" sport?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid won’t be a T20 admit but other students from our school are. School limits to a max of 6 APs: max 1 AP in 10th, 2 in 11th, 3 in 12th. Very occasionally kids get a waiver for one more AP, but it’s usually to add something like AP Studio Art as a 4th in senior year, not an additional core.

As others have noted, it’s very school dependent. Colleges compare transcript rigor against other kids from the same school.

Our school is similar, but slightly higher max - 2 for 10th, 3 for 11th, and 4 for 12th. Some of the students/parents at the top of the class complain about the limits because they think it’s hurts their odds, but I think it’s great. It limits the pressures on kids and the school still does decently with admissions.

Our zoned public has an awful method - basically every decently smart kid takes entirely AP classes Junior & Senior years. But the averages are awful, like my daughter knows someone who took the Calc AB AP test, earned a 2, and is taking Calc BC now as a senior. I think it’s a way just to track kids who care about school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid won’t be a T20 admit but other students from our school are. School limits to a max of 6 APs: max 1 AP in 10th, 2 in 11th, 3 in 12th. Very occasionally kids get a waiver for one more AP, but it’s usually to add something like AP Studio Art as a 4th in senior year, not an additional core.

As others have noted, it’s very school dependent. Colleges compare transcript rigor against other kids from the same school.

Our school is similar, but slightly higher max - 2 for 10th, 3 for 11th, and 4 for 12th. Some of the students/parents at the top of the class complain about the limits because they think it’s hurts their odds, but I think it’s great. It limits the pressures on kids and the school still does decently with admissions.

Our zoned public has an awful method - basically every decently smart kid takes entirely AP classes Junior & Senior years. But the averages are awful, like my daughter knows someone who took the Calc AB AP test, earned a 2, and is taking Calc BC now as a senior. I think it’s a way just to track kids who care about school.

This isn’t a “method” of your zoned public. That is how it is at most schools: classes are offered, HS kids pick their schedule. A good AP exam score is not a prerequisite to taking additional AP courses.

How would you know “every” smart kid at the public takes all AP classes in 11th and 12th? Most high schoolers have 7 classes day, so it's unlikely they are all taking 14 APs in 2 years + ones they took before junior year.

You go from all smart juniors and seniors take APs as every class to “the averages are awful” to “my kid knows of ONE who got a 2 on a single AP exam! 🙄

It is very transparent when a private school parent makes comments like this that is a subtle way they reassure themselves they made the right decision in their choice of private schooling. Truly, your choice is fine. Public is also a fine choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not confined to Top 20, but for the overall population:

By 2024,
46,316 students had taken 9 AP Exams
31,055 had 10 exams
20,506 had 11 exams
12,978 had 12 exams
8,131 had 13 exams
4,843 had 14 exams
2,838 had 15 exams
1,574 had16 exams
873 had 17 exams
477 had 18 exams
223 had 19 exams
125 had 20 exams
61 had 21 exams
34 had 22 exams
11 had 23 exams
7 had 24 exams,
9had 25 exams
1 had 29 exams
1 Student had 30 exams or more

Wouldn't be wild if 90% of these numbers came from DMV?

My kid had 8. All 5s. Did great last year T10/Ovy admits RD unhooked. At an Ivy. 5s all AP exams.

[Anonymous]

The actual AP matters- they like to see one in all main subject areas. And some are known to be just for credit- not serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine took 9 APs (though we don’t call them that anymore and they don’t teach to the test) and only 3 AP tests… got 2 5’s and 1 4. Got into a HPY unhooked.

How? Perfect test scores? Rich private school kid with "unusual" sport?

Two sport varsity captain but not good enough to play college. Private school full-pay but no notable donations, unique major with years of ECs behind it (it’s a niche interest that shows intellectual curiosity and compassion), his LOR apparently stated that he’s a once in a career-type kid. 1550 SAT. I think his package just read well. He’s a good kid, a quiet leader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine took 9 APs (though we don’t call them that anymore and they don’t teach to the test) and only 3 AP tests… got 2 5’s and 1 4. Got into a HPY unhooked.

How? Perfect test scores? Rich private school kid with "unusual" sport?

You don’t have to submit scores, so the school probably never knew about the 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine took 9 APs (though we don’t call them that anymore and they don’t teach to the test) and only 3 AP tests… got 2 5’s and 1 4. Got into a HPY unhooked.

How? Perfect test scores? Rich private school kid with "unusual" sport?

You don’t have to submit scores, so the school probably never knew about the 4.

He submitted the 4.

Everyone is stuck on the little things here. Once you hit the baseline stats it becomes more about what makes the student tick- what kind of human are they? Colleges are tired of screaming shrills- activism is out, advocacy and open mindedness is in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine took 9 APs (though we don’t call them that anymore and they don’t teach to the test) and only 3 AP tests… got 2 5’s and 1 4. Got into a HPY unhooked.

How? Perfect test scores? Rich private school kid with "unusual" sport?

Two sport varsity captain but not good enough to play college. Private school full-pay but no notable donations, unique major with years of ECs behind it (it’s a niche interest that shows intellectual curiosity and compassion), his LOR apparently stated that he’s a once in a career-type kid. 1550 SAT. I think his package just read well. He’s a good kid, a quiet leader.

boom. College knows they got someone who can pay sticker

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine took 9 APs (though we don’t call them that anymore and they don’t teach to the test) and only 3 AP tests… got 2 5’s and 1 4. Got into a HPY unhooked.

How? Perfect test scores? Rich private school kid with "unusual" sport?

You don’t have to submit scores, so the school probably never knew about the 4.

He submitted the 4.

Everyone is stuck on the little things here. Once you hit the baseline stats it becomes more about what makes the student tick- what kind of human are they? Colleges are tired of screaming shrills- activism is out, advocacy and open mindedness is in.

Agree. My DS only submitted three 4’s because he failed the other 5. He’s smart but lazy. At a top25. Submitted high test score because he knew that was the needle.

[Anonymous]

Public school. ^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine took 9 APs (though we don’t call them that anymore and they don’t teach to the test) and only 3 AP tests… got 2 5’s and 1 4. Got into a HPY unhooked.

How? Perfect test scores? Rich private school kid with "unusual" sport?

You don’t have to submit scores, so the school probably never knew about the 4.

He submitted the 4.

Everyone is stuck on the little things here. Once you hit the baseline stats it becomes more about what makes the student tick- what kind of human are they? Colleges are tired of screaming shrills- activism is out, advocacy and open mindedness is in.

Agree. My DS only submitted three 4’s because he failed the other 5. He’s smart but lazy. At a top25. Submitted high test score because he knew that was the needle.

so, by "advocacy and openmindedness" they mean "smart but lazy"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the gray area becomes when you're a top student and take APs and don't get 5s on them.

My friend's kid took 15 APs, but got three 4s (2 from the ones she took in 9th grade). She didn't get into a single Ivy, but did get into U Mich Ross (OOS) which is quite the accomplishment.

But she was disappointed that several kids at her school who only had 9-10 APs got into Ivies, because they had options to take harder classes but didn't.

Bad theory. You also don't have to report AP scores.

Hate to tell you but there is no rhyme or reason in most cases on who gets into these schools. There is no set formula other than being a huge donor or recruited athlete (with obviously meeting required stats for the latter). If you are so desperate to get your kid into Iy then pursue those two.