<p>My son is applying to 10 colleges. He took 2 AP courses junior year and is taking 2 more this year (HS only offers 6). Do we need to get official score reports sent to all 10 colleges?? This seems expensive to me. I know, I know, compared to tuition etc., it's a drop in the old bucket, but is it necessary? He got a 5 on English Lit. and a 4 on US History (should have studied more).</p>
<p>Or is this a question we need to ask each individual admissions office? And why the heck can't it be done on-line like everything else? Really annoying.</p>
<p>You don't need to send official score reports. Even the most selective schools only ask for self-reported AP scores. </p>
<p>The only school that will need the official report will be the school at which your child will be matriculating, and you will be able to send that one for free by designating that school on AP form when he takes APs in May of his senior year (all AP sores are reported each time, just like SAT scores).</p>
<p>Unlike SAT score reports, for a nominal fee students can ask that specific AP scores be withheld from colleges. I think the fee is $10 per score per college, but don't hold me to that figure. The details are on the CollegeBoard website.</p>
<p>newmass
Not every HS reports the Ap scores,my kids school did not. But echoeing all previously given advice..no need to send official reports until your child is enrolled somewhere,or if admissions office at some point requests it.</p>
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The scores will also be on your kid's HS transcript - another reason to not enrich the College Board unnecessarily.
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<p>Not necessarily. This varies from school system to school system. Your child should request an unofficial copy of his transcript to see what is on there.</p>
<p>test scores on HS transcripts...I'd sure like to understand the justification of any school who spends the time and money to put them on a HS transcript. In today's tight education budgets -- private or public school -- it just makes no sense to me.</p>
<p>This information comes out in the summer (the HS receives reports before our kids do!), when there is a lot of downtime, so getting the info into the folders is not extra work.</p>
<p>Besides, what makes you think the information is not relevant to educators? How else can they know how effective their AP teaching is?</p>
<p>I suppose you object to putting SAT scores in, too?</p>
<p>yes I do object to spending tax payer dollars (for publics) on wasting time to post SAT scores. Putting AP scores on transcripts has absolutely nothing to do with making the info "relevant" to educators. Our school prepares a summary table every year [using CB data] showing AP course, and number of kids who recieved 5's, 4's, etc. The school also has the original file available for teachers who what to see which students received the 5s or 1's, for that matter. But, again, no need to waste time and effort plugging them into HS transcripts. A HS transcript s/b just for high school work, IMO.</p>
<p>btw: if educators are sitting around twiddling thumbs in the summer and have nothing better to do than post AP scores, then I would suggest that that school/district is over-staffed in that time period; I'd rather give them the day off...</p>
<p>"Unlike SAT score reports, for a nominal fee students can ask that specific AP scores be withheld from colleges. I think the fee is $10 per score per college, but don't hold me to that figure. The details are on the CollegeBoard website."</p>
<p>That is true, but there is absolutely no reason to do that. When official scores are sent, your kid has been already accepted to college and no school will recind its admission for a bad AP test score. They just will not give the AP credit or placement they might have given for a good score.</p>
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I suppose you object to putting SAT scores in, too?
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<p>Putting SAT scores on the transcript takes away the student's option of submitting ONLY ACT scores for consideration for college admission. I definitely object.</p>
<p>Our school system stopped putting SAT scores on transcripts a few years ago in response to objections from students, parents, and the community.</p>
<p>OK. You vote your way in school board elections, I'll vote mine.</p>
<p>BTW, in our local district, the person who is in the office for the summer to answer the phone and talk to folks moving into the town posts scores in her spare time. I guess we should just have voice mail working, and have someone return calls once a week or so? Yes, it would save a few $$. But I'd rather have a lot of prospective home buyers who are not turned off by the attitude of the local school admin because of penny pinching moves. My taxes may be a few cents a year higher, but my home value is MUCH higher, thank you.</p>
<p>At our school the students can decide whether or not to have SAT/ACT scores on their transcript. The scores are part of their record at school, so I really don't see listing them as such an incredible money-wasting effort on the part of the school...</p>
<p>My, aren't we more presumptuous than usual. Unless you know my zip+4, you would be hard pressed to know my home value.</p>
<p>But, back on topic. I really would like to understand the value of adding the scores to HS transcript. What is the value to parents, students, and/or the district?</p>
<p>I agree high schools have no business putting SAT scores on the transcripts. I lean toward leaving off AP scores as well, but I do think that it is of interest to the college that the AP courses at a particular high school are indeed of AP level. (There are schools where kids take AP courses, but everyone fails the AP.) Our school indirectly gives adcoms an idea of the rigor of the courses by listing the number of AP Scholars as part of the school profile.</p>
<p>I could care less about where you live or what your home is worth. My comment was in reference to your thoughts on staff time wasting. But there was a subtlety in my comment I guessed you missed.</p>
<p>Regarding the value of scores on a transcript, it is called data. Or information. If you can't see the value in that, OK. I have no argument with you. You are welcome to your opinion.</p>
<p>"Regarding the value of scores on a transcript, it is called data. Or information. If you can't see the value in that, OK. I have no argument with you. You are welcome to your opinion."</p>
<p>Data for the school to use, not for the school to send.</p>