<p>I just got my junior year AP scores, and I got three fives (Eng Lang., BC Calc, US History). When looking at my score report, I saw for the first time the information regarding AP Scholar awards. Right now, I am lined up to take five more AP courses next year, and if I can manage to pull a 4 or higher on each one, then I will be a National AP Scholar. The idea that this honor would be in reach is exciting to me, but a couple of the classes I'm taking next year are kind of poorly-taught. I feel confident that I can get a 4+ in Statistics, Environmental Science, and English Lit, but at my school, Psych is a joke and the teacher doesn't really care. The Physics teacher is better, but last year, the AP students were mixed in a class with some honors and some standard students, so they didn't learn much new material. A couple questions:</p>
<p>-First, is putting forth a heavy effort really worth it?
-Are AP awards something that colleges look highly upon, or not really?</p>
<p>If it is worth the effort,
-What is the best way to prepare myself for these two tests?
-Should I get outside help from my teachers, or get review books, or both?</p>
<p>I really appreciate the help.</p>
<p>well, you'll become national ap scholar next year..AFTER you take next year's ap exams and after you send in all of your college applications. but otherwise, i did hear that ap scholar awards do add a bonus to your resume.</p>
<p>if my guess is correct, you'll be applying to colleges with ap scholar with distinction award, so good job! =D</p>
<p>edit: now to answer your other questions (lol)</p>
<p>putting in the effort...well it depends on your will power. it doesn't look bad to take more ap's in senior year, since the common app would ask, but don't go overboard either. it depends really on how much you can handle, but seeing how you are confident and how your performance on the tests you just took were, i'd say go for it!</p>
<p>for psych, i read here on CC that barrons is the best. you can even cram for the exam and score a 4 or 5, but don't rely just on that!</p>
<p>for physics (since i took it this year), i would get outside help from your teachers + review books. learn from PR and then go to the physics teacher and cement your understanding through him/her. that way, i'm sure you can score a good enough grade on the ap exam!</p>
<p>in the end, best of luck!</p>
<p>AP Awards are definitely a good thing, but remember that you will be accepted into a college before your senior year results come in, so your ap scholar status won't be seen by colleges at the time of admission.</p>