Anonymous wrote:My DD13 is starting 8th grade and we need to apply for high schools in January. She will go to university overseas as we cannot afford the US system. I knew GDS had stopped offering AP courses but didn’t know they were still doing AP testing. What difference does dropping the testing part make?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They had dropped the AP courses a few years ago (collusion case successfully brought by DOJ as a result of this as we all remember).

Now GDS just announced that they are dropping AP testing

"Over the last year, our team has been in conversation with dozens of college admissions offices from small liberal arts colleges to large flagship state institutions. In each of these conversations, we have confirmed what we shared with families when GDS moved away from AP courses: For college admissions, there is no advantage to taking AP tests if you attend a high school that does not offer that coursework."

Is this statement true? How about the increasing # of kids who have been applying and matriculating at UK/Ireland/Canadian schools? How about schools like NYU that actually take AP testing in lieu of SAT/ACT (optional of course).

Something about this decision sits wrong with me...they are making it even harder for the subset of students who dont want to go to SLACs.

Also what about the college credit that some schools - esp. state flagships still offer for AP tests 4+

How's that for GDS equity mission?

They asked dozens of college admission offices.

You're asking DCUM.

Who might have the better information on this?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, what GDS is saying is something that I’ve always known to be true and the college admissions counselors have said over and over again is true but that DCUM simply refuses to accept: AP scores don’t matter for college admissions. They just don’t. They only matter for college credit. What’s important to college admissions officials at the top colleges is that you generally take the toughest courses available to you in high school, and in public schools and many privates those courses are AP. But it’s the courses that count, not the scores on the AP exams. After all, most students take more AP courses their senior year than any other year, and colleges won’t even see the AP exam scores into after they have already made their admissions decisions.

Every time I see a “chance my kid” post here where somebody talks about their kid having all 5s I roll my eyes for this reason. They just don’t get it.

I think it’s safe to assume that a school as prestigious and successful in college admissions as GDS knows better about what is important to college admissions than the likes of you.

NYU at least will accept 3 AP scores in lieu of SATs or ACTs

https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/standardized-tests.html

BC uses them in admission

https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/admission/apply/test-optional.html

Same with CWU

https://case.edu/admission/apply/requirements-enhancements

and Dartmouth

https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/glossary-question/2028-applicants-what-does-test-optional-class-2028-mean

Duke make be most explicit
"We value those scores when available as demonstrations of subject mastery to complement your academic transcripts. You should self-report these scores in your application."
https://admissions.duke.edu/faqs/

Rice is similar to Duke

https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicants

Hopkins wants them

https://apply.jhu.edu/how-to-apply/application-deadlines-requirements/standardized-testing/

Swarthmore warns that they can help or hurt
"AP, IB, and other examination scores are optional in our process. Please think carefully on whether you want to share these results with us in your application. You will not have the option to suppress AP, IB, and other examination scores, so if you submit them, we may use them in our review process."
https://www.swarthmore.edu/admissions-aid/standardized-testing-policy

So while PP is correct that some schools don't use them, plenty do

Anonymous wrote:Look, what GDS is saying is something that I’ve always known to be true and the college admissions counselors have said over and over again is true but that DCUM simply refuses to accept: AP scores don’t matter for college admissions. They just don’t. They only matter for college credit. What’s important to college admissions officials at the top colleges is that you generally take the toughest courses available to you in high school, and in public schools and many privates those courses are AP. But it’s the courses that count, not the scores on the AP exams. After all, most students take more AP courses their senior year than any other year, and colleges won’t even see the AP exam scores into after they have already made their admissions decisions.

Every time I see a “chance my kid” post here where somebody talks about their kid having all 5s I roll my eyes for this reason. They just don’t get it.

I think it’s safe to assume that a school as prestigious and successful in college admissions as GDS knows better about what is important to college admissions than the likes of you.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe there is no advantage for admissions but there is an advantage in terms of graduating early, picking up a minor, repeating a class without delaying graduation...

I also think in the world of no SATs and grade inflation, submitting lots of 5s in challenging APs is one of the few things left to show you can handle challenge.

Advanced Placement examinations, the International Baccalaureate diploma, and international credentials will no longer be recognized for Harvard College credit toward the degree beginning with the students who enter the College in Fall 2020.

Please note that we do not grant credit for AP, IB, A Level, Pre-U, or college courses taken prior to enrollment.

If a student has taken International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement or college courses during secondary school, we view this as significant evidence of academic accomplishment and preparation. In addition, some Amherst departments will allow a student to forego introductory level courses in areas in which rigorous work has already been completed. However, we do not accept such courses for credit or advanced standing.[/QUOTE}