Choosing to not send AP scores

Applying to College
1

<p>I am going to be a senior next year and intend to apply ED to a top tier school (though not an Ivy). </p>

<p>At my school, AP scores aren't really a big deal. No one really preps individually for the exams, so I didn't learn until recently that the scores could help or hurt my application.</p>

<p>Anyway, I got a 3 on my APES exam last year as a sophomore (with an A in the class). Then this past year I took APUSH and again received a 3 (with an A+ in the class).</p>

<p>These are the only 2 APs I've taken up to this point and I intend to take 4 more next year. Should I choose to not send these scores? And if I don't send them, will it look bad? (I'm only referring to this for admissions purposes, not for college credit - I know I'll have to send them later.)</p>

<p>Thanks for any input you can provide!</p>

2

<p>Don’t send AP scores until you choose which college to attend. The colleges do not require you to send them with your application. The scores are used for placement and/or credit, but play little to no role in admissions. You can self-report your scores on the common app </p>

3

<p>I would recommend sending your scores at the time you take the test because they are free. Most colleges do not look at your scores when making admission decision, but instead look at whether or not you took the class and how well you are doing in your classes. It would help your application to show that you are taking more difficult courses and succeeding in them. Also, a 3 is a passing score and even if they did look at your scores it would not be that bad. GPA, extracurricular activities, leadership, and recommendations are far more important anyway.</p>

4

<p>There is no need to send any AP score until you are matriculated.</p>

5

<p>It’s unlikely that you’ll get college credit with 3s. In any case the 3s won’t help your application. I wouldn’t send them</p>

6

<p>At least one poster who knows how Ivies works states more selective schools will assume you didn’t take the test or took it and did poorly, so he recommends removing the doubt by sending. Obviously the further down the food chain you move the less this would apply. I honestly don’t think a 3 (a passing score) is going to hurt you.</p>

7

<p>This from the AP Professionals site: <a href=“AP Score Reports – AP Central | College Board”>Higher Education Professionals | College Board;

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Students should without question report a 3, as the grade says you are qualified. </p>

8

<p>AP score of 3 is a passing grade. There are some schools that would offer partial credits for 3 in some subjects. If one can get a title of AP scholar with 3 AP scores of 3, why would one even hesitate to show it.</p>

9

<p>Thank you all for your help! It sounds like it won’t make too big of a difference, so I think I will send them to prevent the AOs from assuming the worst.</p>