<p>Is it necessary/advisable to send AP scores as part of the application? I notice all of the "Chances" threads mention them -- but there's no space on the Common Application for them, and few of the colleges my S is considering require them. (One exception requests them as part of its supplement -- which means they also require an official report from the AP folks). Is this one of those "not required, but recommended" items? The score reports cost some dough, but that's not a major consideration in the context of the price of four years of college -- particularly if good scores-- "5" on both tests he's taken so far -- could be helpful to the app. </p>
<p>Well 5's on both tests will certainly help. You should send them in. At the most competitive colleges, a huge proportion of the students have AP's to report. Anywhere less competitive it just puts one higher in the academic rankings. </p>
<p>Since they are not required, ask whether they need an official report, or just a copy of the score report you received ($0.10 at your local Staples).</p>
<p>Most schools use APs in two ways: as evidence that the student has taken a challenging curriculum, and for placement into (or out of!) first-year classes. </p>
<p>None of the schools my son applied to required or requested AP score reports during the application process. Most of them did have a section where you could self-report your scores, but if that section doesn't exist it would be good to include them somewhere on the app. AFTER admission and decision to matriculate is the time when most schools will request an official school report (and the student can arrange that in May if he's taking any AP exams this coming year: just write the chosen school's name on the exam itself and his scores will be sent there over the summer).</p>
<p>So short version: mention the scores on the application. In the spring when he's selected a school, have an official score report sent to the school at that time. (Also check the websites of the schools he's applying to: most of them will detail their AP policy so he can get an idea beforehand if his scores will qualify him for advanced placement or credit in any subjects.)</p>
<p>S listed his AP and scores in the spaces provided, and also sent in photocopy of his AP scores. This last is not required, but he felt it was additional evidence. Last July, after he was admitted and the latest batch of AP scores were available, he asked CB to send an official record to his college. This was used for awarding him eligibility for Advanced Standing and for placement into more advanced classes.</p>
<p>Among the schools that ask for AP scores (provide a space for them on the application), I have not seen any that require an official score report. I think you can just copy your son's score report and attach it to the application. It certainly won't hurt. You will need to submit an official report to the school he will decide to attend if he will be interested in getting AP credit there, but that's just one school, and he will be able to mark it as a recipient of his scores when he takes APs his senior year (by that time he'll know which school he will attend), and have them sent for free.</p>
<p>My kids' school also had the AP scores on the back of the official transcript. I wonder if the Harvard adcom's statement reflects a change, since we never heard that when applying last year. Most of the schools we came across, including Harvard, asked for self reporting on their supplement.</p>
Do they want to see them, as in have them on the application, or do they want an official score report? I've never heard of any college requiring you to pay to have score reports sent. Part of the advantage of having self-reported scores (for applicants) is the ability to leave out not-so-great scores. One of the student's on Caltech admissions committee who frequents CC even recommended that applicants leave 4's off of their application. I remember that the common app has a place to add any "additional information" and that's where I included by AP scores last year.</p>
<p>you do not need an official score report during the application process. Just self-report the good ones. After you have accepted a college in the spring, you will need to submit an official score report to that college only if you are seeking credit for your AP exams.</p>
<p>"One of the student's on Caltech admissions committee who frequents CC even recommended that applicants leave 4's off of their application."</p>
<p>I think that may be going too far. My son is now attending Caltech and he had several 4s in the AP list he sent with his application.</p>
<p>While the advise you get in this board is extreamely valuable, it is always a good idea - especially for appliactions - to take it with a grain of salt. I am afraid casual, or first time visitors, are unecesariy discouraged by the content in some of the postings.</p>