<pre><code> Last year I took AP U.S. history, and got a 4. This year, my scores were: World: 5, English/Comp: 5, Physics: 4, Calc AB: 5, and drumroll please........ Computer Science: 2. Yeah, a 2.
I didn't expect to do well on that test for a number of reasons. One was that the teacher told us on the first day that he had never learned Java (basis for the class), and would be learning it along with us. He was also not AP certified, and had never taught an AP class. The year was spent looking at an online textbook he found, with the teacher being more confused at the lessons than the rest of the class. By the time I got around to reviewing and taking practice tests, I knew I was in a bad position, hence the resulting 2. Everyone else that took that class that I've talked to also received a failing grade (though I'm sure a couple tech geniuses passed with flying colors). The funny thing is, I had a high A grade in the class.
Anyways, Harvard is my dream school. I do a lot of leadership and activities outside of school (sports, volunteering, etc.) that I love, and Computer Science doesn't relate to my intended major (neuroscience/neurobiology), so I was wondering if you think they would understand this situation (though I don't want it to sound like I'm just making up excuses)? I took the class to test the possibility of going into a field in engineering or technology, but decided not to as a result of it. If I could explain this thoroughly, do you think they could excuse it?
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<p>Also, I don’t want to self report and leave the score section blank on the common app, as that seems to be a bit of a red flag.</p>
<p>AP scores are self-reported on the common app. Don’t report it. Problem solved.</p>
<p>Do not waste any time in your essays trying to make excuses. Focus on your SAT scores, and write we;;-polished essays. You may still not get into Harvard, but 94% off the applicants don’t.</p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>
<p>Harvard is your dream school? Boy, I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that. Jk.</p>
<p>@skieurop isn’t it bad to leave a score section blank if I am self-reporting? And if I send my AP scores from college board, won’t they see it anyways?</p>
<p>I think it’s okay to not report the score. AP scores, honestly, don’t make that much of a difference, anyway. Not reporting vs reporting won’t be the difference between you getting in or not. </p>
<p>People generally send AP scores to the college they are attending after they have been accepted, so admissions never sees the score report.</p>
<p>On the common app, you report your AP scores by selecting the subject from the dropdown box, then selecting your score from the dropdown box. Simply don’t select Computer Science.</p>
<p>Okay. So it would probably be better to fill in that space with one of the AP classes I’m taking this year, correct?</p>