Applying TO to a top 20 school -- input on including AP test scores on Common App

Applying to College
1

My son is Class of 21 was impacted by the crazy testing schedule this year. He did manage to get a score he can use at his match and low reach schools, but he will apply TO to his big reach.

He has 4.0 UW GPA at a top public HS in our state that sends a good number of kids to top 20 schools every year. Unfort., our HS does not have a good admissions track record with this particular top 20 – not many applicants overall and not great admit rate compared to similar schools. Not sure why, and I am not counting on them being particularly familiar with his school. Anyway, he has good, but not superstar, ECs. His LORs will be excellent and essays at least above average.

He will graduate with 10 APs and has scores for 5 of them so far – 2 5s, 2 4s, and a 3.

Should he list his 2 5s and 2 4s on his common app? (He doesn’t plan to list the 3.)

I’ve gotten advice that he should b/c he’s not submitting a SAT/ACT test score, and these are standardized tests where he did well. However, I’ve also gotten advice that he shouldn’t b/c anything less than all 5s should be left out b/c his scores would put him at a disadvantage compared to applicants submitting all 5s. Don’t give them a reason to take a pass, is this thinking.

Final point – they will know he generally did well either way b/c he lists AP Scholar with Distinction on his awards section.

Advice?

2

When you look into it, AP Scholar with Distinction is a bit of a low bar. If he’s submitting AP scores, T20 adcoms will look directly at those, not CB’s evaluation.

Sending the 4s depends on what courses. If they relate to his possible major, that can put him in a less competitive position for a T20. It’s the nature of the competition, so fierce.

When any poster focuses on stats, ECs, assuming the LoRs will hit the mark, that the writing is good- and the number of AP- I wonder if they get the subtleties. Those points are just starter elements. Imo, one has to dig to understand what else (or what on top of that) that the college values, wants, and filters for. It’s work, but worth it.

3

Without knowing the specifics, my general thought would be to include 4s and 5s, not 3s.

4

@RichinPitt – Phew - that’s exactly what he decided to do! Tks for the input!