Chance Me: AP State Scholar

Hi! I’m trying for Michigan’s AP State Scholar, and I was wondering if anyone knew the average amount of classes? I’m planning on taking 16 through high school, so if I get mostly 5s and a couple 4s, would I have a chance at it? I’m also self studying for two. (I graduate in 23’)

Nobody knows outside the CB. My guess is that a populous state like MI is probably in the low 20’s. That said, AP State Scholar is just another certificate. The college credits may come in handy, but the title? Not a big deal, IMO.

Why are you doing this? That seems like a lot of pressure for what reward?

Michigan’s hard. What about me—New Hampshire, I plan on taking at least 16…

This seems like a lot of work for very little reward other than bragging rights. Why not do something you enjoy and explore it. Would make for a much more interesting person and you’ll have something to write about for college. Living life is always better than filling in the blanks. IMHO, that is.

I don’t think that you would even find out about AP State Scholar until after you get your senior year AP grades (i.e., after the college admission process is over and you graduated from HS).

Rising 9th grader?

If my math is correct, you are entering the ninth grade. At this point, it is pointless to plan to become an AP State Scholar for multiple reasons. One, you probably have never taken a practice AP exam so your comprehension of how well you will do in AP classes and exams is not enough for you to tell yourself that you will probably have mostly 5’s on exams. However, I am not discouraging you from taking on the monumental task of acing your AP classes and exams, I’m just trying to keep things realistic. I am sure that if you already know about the title, you are probably quite intelligent and definitely have a chance at becoming a Scholar. Two, plans are highly subject to change in high school. I thought I planned out everything in freshman year until I learned new information (on several occasions) and had to readjust my plans. Things like an AP class being removed from my schedule because my school dropped it and my revelation about certain credit requirements are things that occurred to me, to give you an example. Three, AP State Scholar truly isn’t as rewarding as other awards you can get. This thread discusses great awards (http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/302001-list-of-top-prestigious-awards-p1.html); I suggest going all the way to the end to get the most recent and updated list. My advice is to find (or explore) what you truly like and want to do with your life. If it’s writing, take AP Lang, work as a Yearbook Editor, and apply for YoungArts. If it’s science, take AP Physics C, study the latest scientific research studies, and apply for the Google Science Fair. Point is, do things that are great for you. Trust me, AP classes are hard, but you can definitely do well, you just don’t need to make your goal being the AP State Scholar. I promise you that it really won’t matter to have that title once you’re out of college.

Stanford U says:
“We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment and to consult with your counselor, teachers and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP or IB, Honors or Accelerated class just because it has that designation.”

MIT says:
Let me state clearly: we do not admit students solely because of their AP courses/scores. There is no minimum or recommended number of AP courses. AP scores are not part of an admission formula… What we are saying is that, despite what you may have heard, college admissions isn’t a game of whoever has the most APs, wins.
https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/on_aps_1/

“The College Board needs to say a similar thing about taking A.P. courses. We have data that taking up to five A.P. courses over the course of high school helps students complete college on time. But there is no evidence that excessively cramming your schedule with A.P. classes advances you. Let us say to students, ‘If you would like to take more than 5 A.P. courses because you love the class, do so, but not to get into college.’
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/opinion/higher-education-double-major-extracurricular-activities.html