<p>I realize that there are threads out there about this, but I just had to make sure.
I'm taking 6 AP exams this year but I'm not feeling extremely confident about some of them. I wanted to apply to a top 15 school for ED and was wondering how bad AP scores would affect my chances, given that everything else (GPA, SAT/ACT, ECs) are fine.
So, just as a false scenario, say I was to receive:
Chemistry: 3
Spanish Language: 3
Chinese: 4
Calculus BC: 4
Physics C: Mechanic: 2
USH: 4
Does that look extremely bad to a school such as Duke.
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>AP scores aren’t heavily weighted (my understanding). I have heard that if you have 4s and 5s, AP scores will help you. If you don’t, they don’t hurt (or help).</p>
<p>Since AP scores are self reported they aren’t weighted very heavily in college admissions. However they can be used to corroborate your grades in AP classes. For example if you got an A or B in Physics C and a 2 on the Physics C test, the adcom might take a second look at your transcript.
However, there is a simple way to get around this. Since -once again- AP scores are self reported you can just withhold any scores you don’t want to report. Rarely will a school mandate that you send in every AP test you’ve taken. </p>
<p>For most schools, they do not look at your AP scores. However, for some schools like Harvard, they will look at your AP scores just as additional subject tests. Moreover, many school may use your AP score to counter-check your school’s grading system. If you score below 3 in AP but got an A in your class, they may consider your school to have grade inflation. Other than that, AP scores have very little impact at admission. Nevertheless, taking more AP classes would show the rigor curriculum.</p>