Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of privates don't offer APs. It really simplifies things a lot for kids and reduces stress. I'm glad my kid doesn't have to deal with it. Worth the cost of tuition. And if I hear another smug parent go on and on about how special their kid is because they took 15+ APs - it is diminishing marginal returns at some point.

Real privates don’t offer them at all. They are useless. Ironically, if you have a child applying to medical school some will ask, and have, “Why did you not take the full sequence of your science at X college/university, your AP high school science program was better than your colleges?”

Yup. Everyone feels so special with all of their APs. Then they get to college and get thrown into super advanced classes with upperclassmen who have been taught the basics by college professors rather than random teacher X from suburbia high (no offense to HS teachers - they are great and deserving of tremendous respect but generally aren't equivalent to a college professor), all while adjusting to college and everything it involves (co-ed dorms, beer, doing your own laundry, etc) and they are way behind and wishing they hadn't placed out of intro classes and hadn't wasted early May in HS taking tests.

The College Board has marketing geniuses. Create a need where one didn't exist and false demand and paranoia around it.

Anonymous wrote:Lots of privates don't offer APs. It really simplifies things a lot for kids and reduces stress. I'm glad my kid doesn't have to deal with it. Worth the cost of tuition. And if I hear another smug parent go on and on about how special their kid is because they took 15+ APs - it is diminishing marginal returns at some point.

Real privates don’t offer them at all. They are useless. Ironically, if you have a child applying to medical school some will ask, and have, “Why did you not take the full sequence of your science at X college/university, your AP high school science program was better than your colleges?”

Community colleges are fine with no AP. Your welcome

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of privates don't offer APs. It really simplifies things a lot for kids and reduces stress. I'm glad my kid doesn't have to deal with it. Worth the cost of tuition. And if I hear another smug parent go on and on about how special their kid is because they took 15+ APs - it is diminishing marginal returns at some point.

My public school kid didn’t find AP’s that stressful.

While your kid was having a blast taking AP tests mine was out enjoying the beautiful May weather, participating in extra-curriculars, learning how to think rather than take a test, and probably getting into a better college than your nerd.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of privates don't offer APs. It really simplifies things a lot for kids and reduces stress. I'm glad my kid doesn't have to deal with it. Worth the cost of tuition. And if I hear another smug parent go on and on about how special their kid is because they took 15+ APs - it is diminishing marginal returns at some point.

My public school kid didn’t find AP’s that stressful.

Aren't they special.

Anonymous wrote:Lots of privates don't offer APs. It really simplifies things a lot for kids and reduces stress. I'm glad my kid doesn't have to deal with it. Worth the cost of tuition. And if I hear another smug parent go on and on about how special their kid is because they took 15+ APs - it is diminishing marginal returns at some point.

My public school kid didn’t find AP’s that stressful.

Lots of privates don't offer APs. It really simplifies things a lot for kids and reduces stress. I'm glad my kid doesn't have to deal with it. Worth the cost of tuition. And if I hear another smug parent go on and on about how special their kid is because they took 15+ APs - it is diminishing marginal returns at some point.

My child's private doesn't offer that many APs. They haven't taken any AP classes till their senior year, so no AP tests. I really don't think they matter at all. My child is in early decision at a LAC. ACT was a 34 though.

Kid in without them at Georgia which was surprising to me - so def can happen!

DS is in at Midd this cycle with no APs, his school doesn’t offer them, and test optional. He did take all the available honors classes at his school, team captain, two varsity sports, two different types of weekly volunteering, summer job and internship, and two unique hobbies, but no standardized tests on his apps.

Anonymous wrote:Standard line from every school is they look for students who take advantage of every opportunity available and take the most advanced classes available. If the school does not offer AP classes they won't expect a student to have taken them.

This. Your best bet is to look at the IGs of the your school. At our DC private, kids get into great schools without APs. Very few take APs outside of school.

Anonymous wrote:My son has only 2 AP classes and no honors classes. He was in the Ryken program at GC, so he gradually worked his way to more rigor. He did not take the ACT or SAT. He has a 3.91 GPA and has been accepted to Salisbury, Xavier, WVU, and Coastal Carolina and has received merit at every college. He’s waiting to hear from JMU, Miami OH and UMD(though we fully expect him to not get into UMD).

My son picked colleges in line with his academic strengths. He’s obviously not Ivy. He’s a kid who has overcome SIGNIFICANT challenges as a young boy and become a very resilient, strong, smart young man. We are proud of him.

Way to go, kid!!

My son has only 2 AP classes and no honors classes. He was in the Ryken program at GC, so he gradually worked his way to more rigor. He did not take the ACT or SAT. He has a 3.91 GPA and has been accepted to Salisbury, Xavier, WVU, and Coastal Carolina and has received merit at every college. He’s waiting to hear from JMU, Miami OH and UMD(though we fully expect him to not get into UMD).

My son picked colleges in line with his academic strengths. He’s obviously not Ivy. He’s a kid who has overcome SIGNIFICANT challenges as a young boy and become a very resilient, strong, smart young man. We are proud of him.

Standard line from every school is they look for students who take advantage of every opportunity available and take the most advanced classes available. If the school does not offer AP classes they won't expect a student to have taken them.

Folks,

I'd love to hear about kids being accepted without taking/submitting any AP test results.

My child's school doesn't offer AP classes, and they have no interest in taking any. They've taken the ACT and are happy with the result, so not "test optional" and will submit their score. But absent some compelling reason to take an AP test, they'd like to pass on it. So, some "real world" examples or feedback from this cycle would be great.

Thanks and good luck to everyone out there!