<p>Other than getting a credit for college, what other benefits are there for taking an AP test? </p>
<p>is it looked favorably on colleges if you do really well or is it just a way to save money when you get into college? </p>
<p>and if it is looked favorably, how much? </p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>just credit and placement nothing else</p>
<p>The more competitive schools definitely look at the AP scores for admissions. I know I would not have gotten in to two Ivies without my AP scores</p>
<p>Benefits of AP classes/tests:</p>
<ol>
<li>College credit</li>
<li>College entrance: Universities want to see that their students are prepared to take college level courses and excel in them. Even if you’re trying to gain admission into a state school, AP credits can help you get scholarships or membership in the honors college.</li>
<li>Avoiding easy (and therefore boring) versions of a class</li>
<li>Self esteem?</li>
</ol>
<p>Really, you should only take AP exams (and AP classes) if you are ready for it. Don’t waste your money earning 1s and 2s. Colleges won’t be impressed, and it won’t do you any good. Also, if the AP classes are too difficult, then you’ll find your GPA dropping like a rock.</p>
<p>However, if you are up to challenging courses and a heavier load of academic rigor, then go AP all the way. I personally loved taking AP classes. :)</p>
<p>If you take several AP by the end of Junior, it may get you an AP scholar title which you can put under awards in college application. It may save you money if you do well in the test and get credit in college. However, some subjects may not get you any credit at some schools. Also, sometimes it will just give you extra credits that serve no purpose in college. In these cases, it may be a waste of money. In certain cases, the additional AP credits may actually push you to upperclassman tuition faster and cost you more while you may or may not be able to graduate sooner depending on the course requirement as most of the AP credits are for 200 level or below and may be only good for electives or general studies.</p>
<p>If I got the AP Scholar with distinction award after I already graduated, is there any good to having that?</p>
<p>I think some of us forgot the real reason we have AP courses-- to prepare us for college. Placement and credit are both very nice benefits, but getting prepared for college-level work while in high school is the real reason a person should take AP courses. AP Scholar Awards are nice, but being ready for college is much nicer. Good luck!</p>
<p>Also, access to summer research programs and internships.</p>
<p>S17 is doing a summer research project in a program that takes “only exceptional freshmen”–2 freshmen (rising sophomores) out of 72 in the program. He took the AP Computer Science test and got a 5 in 8th grade based on self-study. (Well, a lot of Minecraft modding, actually.) He did AP Physics B in 9th. His research project is in Computer Science, so I would guess that AP score had a fair bit to do with his being admitted to the program and getting that project.</p>
<p>I believe other prestigious summer programs ask for any relevant AP scores.</p>