<p>Hi there everyone! I was wondering if someone could possibly help me with the Common Application. I'm applying to a lot of really good schools (HYPS, Northwestern, Wash U in St Louis, American University, etc.) and I'm wondering what AP Scores I should report. They are as follows:</p>
<p>AP Calculus: 5
AP US History: 4
AP Chemistry: 3
AP World History: 4
AP Biology: 4</p>
<p>I know that a lot of you are probably thinking that I have no shot into getting into those schools, and you're most likely correct. I am applying for schools like this regardless of that fact.</p>
<p>So, should I simply include all of those AP Scores, or only the 5, or only the 4's and 5's, or what exactly? I don't want the scores to reflect badly on me, i.e., getting a 3 in AP Chemistry, but I also don't want it to seem like I haven't taken any AP Tests. What do you guys think I should do? Thank you for your help.</p>
<p>I think you should check out what kind of credit the schools give out for different AP scores and submit the scores that’ll get you credit or exempt you from having to take a placement test. In terms of schools like Harvard which from the looks of it don’t give you any AP credit, then I still think it’s up to you. You should consider your major and minor interests and whether the AP scores will be relevant in those terms too. Hope it helps!</p>
<p>I would not put a focus on your AP scores as a main part of your application. Include the 5, never report the 3, and regarding the 4s… If you took the corresponding class and got an A , don’t report the 4. If it was self study, report the 4s.</p>
<p>5 lbsof potatoes, I see your point. But some of the other past CC messages have said that there is controversy here. Some people say that if you self-report your 5’s but not your 4’s and 3’s and just leave those classes blank (ie AP Psych–but no score), then the colleges may either: 1) think that you are not reporting it because you did REALLY badly, ie a 1 or a 2; or 2) think that you aren’t self-reporting the score because you just took that class to increase your GPA if your school weights the grades (ie 4.5 or 5.0 for an A in an AP class—our school does NOT weight at all…). Some schools let you get that 5.0 if you get an A, regardless of whether you took the AP test or not. SO some CC posters have said to “either self-report all or none of the AP scores”. What do you think about that? I am not sure, myself (I have two 5’s, a 4, and two 3’s–so I have this question too!).</p>
<p>There is an old thread under College Admissions (AP Test Scores in Admission FAQ) in which the OP says a Harvard AO said failing to self report ALL AP scores is dishonest</p>
<p>self report is just that. Officially, AP scores are used after college admissions. Using them for college admission is an unofficial affair. You don’t need to mention you ever took any specific test. While an AO may have shared his opinion on the matter, there is 0 reason to interpret the Common App’s request in the Academics section: “Please list only the best SAT Subject, AP, and IB exam scores taken to date, focusing on the most recent tests taken.” as binding you to report all your scores for all your AP tests. It only makes sense to report the ones you think will help you out.</p>
<p>5lbsofpotatoes, then would you suggest that I put my 5’s and 4’s (name of AP course and test score-ie “AP Calc BC-5”), but not put anything for the 3’s? Or put the name of the class that I got a “3” on but leave the score blank?</p>
<p>" … please report the highest individual scores you have earned so far …"</p>
<p>So if you took a test more than once report only your highest score, if you took a test only once then that is your highest score.</p>
<p>I don’t see where it says that you can choose which scores to report and which scores to omit.</p>
<p>If AP scores were not being used for admissions, they wouldn’t be asked for on the CA.</p>
<p>Iowanerd - most importantly - many of the schools you are applying to will require you to send them ALL of your scores (even if they will consider only your best SAT or ACT scores), so it is safest NOT to omit any. If you omit any, it could look like you were being somewhat misleading.</p>