<p>Now that AP scores have finally been released, I've been hearing a lot of buzz about whether or not one should submit his/her AP scores when applying to schools. It seems to be a rather moot discussion. Many people seem to believe that taking an AP test comes with an obligation to send out the scores; others fervently stick to the whole "AP scores only matter after you get in, when you're trying to pass out of classes" philosophy. What do you guys think? [And if you're currently in college, please comment on this and let us know what you did and your opinions.]</p>
<p>[Guidance</a> Office: Answers From Harvard’s Dean, Part 2 - The Choice Blog - NYTimes.com](<a href=“Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 2 - The New York Times”>Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 2 - The New York Times)</p>
<p>“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.”
– William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard College</p>
<p>Given Dean Fitzsimmons’ opinion, you might want to self-report AND send your AP scores to Harvard.</p>
<p>@gibby, thanks for posting this. I have also been confused about those in this forum who seem to believe that AP scores don’t matter. How can there be no difference between a 3and a 5? My D will be self-reporting and sending in the official report. The 5s that she has already received will at the very least assure higher placement (or even exemption) from language courses.</p>
<p>See, I figured that AP scores must matter because, as dignified said, there has to be a difference between a three and a five. However, as I’ve read in some other posts in this Harvard forum, people who have gotten 2’s on their AP tests have been accepted to Harvard. If Harvard truly does live by the philosophy that gibby posted above, about how AP scores are most representative of how students will perform in college, why were these students accepted? I know that these students must have done spectacular things that made them stand out, but to be a bit critical of the dean’s statement, it just doesn’t make much sense to me.</p>
<p>If the student had many 5s on APs, and just one or two lower scores, it would indicate a weakness in one or two areas. This does not mean the student could not be wildly successful in another area, as well as have a great impact on the Harvard campus and the world. </p>
<p>If you research Dean Fitzsimmons comments about “well-lopsided” students you can understand his thinking.</p>
<p>Anyone feel like answering my question about sending in AP scores and their importance in the application process? Come now, don’t be shy.</p>
<p>D is a rising sophomore @ Harvard. At the application time, she self reported the scores from the two APs she had taken by that point. We have never paid to have score sent either at the time of application or with matriculation. At Harvard the only AP that would have altered any placement she might have was foreign language and she did not do well - hence no need to report. Harvard has its own placement tests for writing, math and the sciences. Sending the APs from any of those would not be used.</p>