I generally agree that AOs don't expect to see AP scores when their school does not provide AP classes.

HOWEVER, most private school kids I've known (kids of friends) have taken some AP tests anyway (around 1-3 total before college apps) just to show a few scores. In some cases, it's because their private school is supposed to go beyond the material, so taking, e.g. Calc AB or Chem, does not require further study. In other cases, it's because the kid self-studies for another subject on their own time, e.g. Psych.

Given that the AOs compare your kid to other kids at the same school, I think it would make sense to talk to some parents of kids who are older than your kid and ask them if those kids took APs, how many, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Child attends a HS that doesn’t offer AP classes and downplays their value in the application process.

Putting aside situations where APs are required (int’l schools, specific programs), what have folks’ experience been in applying without them? Did it matter, particularly as more programs are TO or “test choice?”

My child has zero interest in taking additional standardized tests beyond the minimum necessary (has an ACT/SAT score they’re happy with). And we’re not inclined to push them unnecessarily.

Our kids are at a competitive private school that makes their own curriculum and doesn't subscribe to College Board AP class curriculum. AP tests are not taken or encouraged beyond language self study (for college placement at the end of senior year, not necessarily for college admission).

Our school is small but several go to ivies, top publics, etc. You are fine OP.

Anonymous wrote:Child attends a HS that doesn’t offer AP classes and downplays their value in the application process.

Putting aside situations where APs are required (int’l schools, specific programs), what have folks’ experience been in applying without them? Did it matter, particularly as more programs are TO or “test choice?”

My child has zero interest in taking additional standardized tests beyond the minimum necessary (has an ACT/SAT score they’re happy with). And we’re not inclined to push them unnecessarily.

My kids went to a HS with no APs.
They showed intellectual vitality/niche academic interests and alignment with prospective major in other ways.
They are at Ivy/T10.

OP here, and thanks for the feedback. My child is in the accelerated classes, so their transcript will convey the rigor of their path, but they have no interest in taking the tests or trying to study for them unnecessarily on top of everything else.

My impression is that the lack of test scores is largely irrelevant in this context, but I appreciate the additional thoughts.

Teach to the test not rest

The so-called top DC privates colluded together a few years ago—arguably illegally—largely to drop AP classes from their curriculum. They argued that they didn’t want to “teach to the rest” but what was really going on was that they didn’t like their courses too well aligned to the lowly publics because if the schools had the same classes it was hard to justify paying through the nose for private school. It doesn’t seem to have affected their college admissions at all, only confirming that those with money and power always rise to the top.

Anonymous wrote:Public or Private, OP?

Not OP, but I don’t see how it makes a difference.

Public or Private, OP?

Anonymous wrote:Students are evaluated in the context of what their high school offers. If no AP classes, they aren't expected to take AP exams. They are expected to take rigorous classes, whatever your high school calls them.

This. The primary use of AP classes is to show rigor. If your school doesn’t offer them, rigor is evaluated in other ways. If your kid wants to try to get credit using AP scores, that would be a reason to independently take the tests, but otherwise it’s unnecessary.

My DC went to an elite private that doesn’t offer APs and classes do not align well with APs. Some students self-study for a few stem AP tests, but many don’t and the school’s matriculation list is impressive. I think it all depends on the context of your school; I think colleges know the classes at this school are rigorous, and the SAT scores of the kids who get into top schools tend to be 1550+.

Students are evaluated in the context of what their high school offers. If no AP classes, they aren't expected to take AP exams. They are expected to take rigorous classes, whatever your high school calls them.

Child attends a HS that doesn’t offer AP classes and downplays their value in the application process.

Putting aside situations where APs are required (int’l schools, specific programs), what have folks’ experience been in applying without them? Did it matter, particularly as more programs are TO or “test choice?”

My child has zero interest in taking additional standardized tests beyond the minimum necessary (has an ACT/SAT score they’re happy with). And we’re not inclined to push them unnecessarily.