<p>So, I've had numerous and mixed responses on whether colleges actually care, admissions-wise, how well one does on the AP exams. If I am not mistaken, the Common App gives no space to write these scores, but some college supplements do. Does this mean that it will factor into a decision, or is it more of a "huh, that's cool he took 12314112 APs, but his ECs/SATs/rank/GPA aren't good enough: REJECT" moment? </p>
<p>Does anyone have experience with this matter?</p>
<p>This question has been discussed quite often, and I think it did generate multiple responses in the past. But here's my take on it.</p>
<p>If you apply to schools ranked 30 or better on US News, most likely they will have AP exam spaces, not on the CommonApp main form, but on their school supplements. So yes, they are still interested in your AP scores. AP scores demonstrate proficiency in subject matter that cannot be measured by SAT 2 - SAT 2 is lacking in free response (a kid may be great at memorizing history facts, but cannot write a decent essay to save his life). GPA/rank is also misleading because grade inflation is often rampant at many high schools across the US. By utilizing AP scores, colleges can evaluate applicants on a higher national standard than just transcript/SAT 2s - so this is why I think they ask for your AP scores. </p>
<p>At the same time, they don't require official transcripts, so it is possible for you to "hide" an AP score that you did badly on by just not writing it down at all, but I think colleges make this so because they aren't excessively concerned about the APs that you performed badly on - they want to reward you for the things that you know well, so putting down 4s and 5s do matter.</p>
<p>I think it does factor into a decision, albeit not as strongly as SAT 1/GPA/ECs.</p>
<p>i know a guy at my school who got into fine arts at harvard essentially by taking 6 ap's in junior year and getting all fives. he didn't really have anything that impressive, he swam for a local team, was ranked in top 5%, had really good marks, and won some art comp.'s. but what got him in was the fact that he was the first student to take 6 ap's, and subsequently score consistent 5's, at our school</p>
<p>Huh. Did the adcoms know that intrinsically (did the guidance counselor tell them?) or did he make some explanation on the application (although there's no space?). And did he have hooks of any sort?</p>
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but what got him in was the fact that he was the first student to take 6 ap's, and subsequently score consistent 5's, at our school
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<p>How do you know that's what got him in? Have you read his essay/seen his application? Test scores don't get people into top schools anymore.</p>