As an international student (Indian studying in Oman) I gave the APs in 11th grade.
(Calc AB: 5, Chem:4, Physics C Mech:3) since none of the topics we’re covered in school and I self studied completely for all, is it a good idea to send them in to the Ivy League(Princeton, Cornell) this is because physics is the main subject for my major (Aerospace Engineering).
Your choice. I don’t think AP scores make a huge impact in the admissions decision one way or the other. I would certainly not report a 1 or a 2. For Ivy League schools, I’d probably not report the 3, but again, it won’t have an impact.
I’d send them. Even though the Physics C score is just okay, the fact that you had to self study because your school doesn’t offer it shows a lot of initiative, and taking it in English shows excellent command of the language.
If you don’t submit the AP exam score it makes it look like you got a 1 or 2. I would submit all scores 3 or higher.
The OP did not take the class, so colleges will have no way of knowing s/he took the AP exam.
No college cares that a student self studies. Their preference is that they student takes full advantage of the curriculum offered by the HS.
At some colleges, AP scores can have impact. Adcoms can look for scores in classes you took at school. Since your school doesn’t offer it, adcoms wouldn’t expect you to have taken it. But for engineering, have you taken other physics classes? And do you have math and/or science ECs?
@lookingforward I study in the Indian CBSE Curriculum so I have taken up Math, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science as my “stream” and have scored well in all since the 9th Grade. Unfortunately no ECs in maths or science (I have done Sports, MUNs and community service), there’s are no clubs or anything dedicated to maths/science neither any resources to start one.
@skieurope I’m just wondering if it will have a negative impact, even though I have scored low on the AP but to supplement it I have scored well in my School’s examinations.
If you get rejected, it will not be the result of a 3.
Just based on my own experience…
The college counselor at my son’s high school discourages the kids from submitting any AP scores lower than a 4.
At one Ivy league information session, the question was asked and the moderator said, “don’t bother sending AP scores if they aren’t a 4 or 5”.
Your 5 in Calc AB is stellar though! Congrats!