AP Scores- will they effect admission

[gibby]

^^ @theloniusmonk: YES, with regard to Harvard, I’m disregarding what Stanford has posted. To wit: https://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/harvarddean-part2/

Standardized tests are generally more predictive of academic success at selective colleges than at others, but you make an important point: it is abundantly clear that one size does not fit all when it comes to testing. Some colleges have found that standardized tests are not particularly helpful in predicting grades at their campuses and have de-emphasized tests or made them optional.

That said, **our studies consistently demonstrate that standardized tests are helpful in predicting Harvard grades. **Of course many other factors are important too, including high school grades, teacher and counselor recommendations, and intangible personal qualities that are reflected throughout the application.

We have found that the best predictors at Harvard are Advanced Placement tests and International Baccalaureate Exams, closely followed by the College Board subject tests. High school grades are next in predictive power, followed by the SAT and ACT. The writing tests of the SAT and ACT have predictive power similar to the subject tests.

From everything I’ve read, Harvard is looking for confirmation in the form of top AP scores to confirm a students grades in the classes they have taken. If a student chooses NOT to submit AP scores, but those AP classes appear on their transcript, Harvard will assume the worst. IMHO, that is reason enough for Admissions NOT to move a student’s application forward. Therefore, applicants need to pay attention to what is written “between the lines” in statements from Harvard’s Admissions Office.