<p>Our son is applying to several top tier schools. We're are getting mixed signals about whether or not to send in his AP test scores now (he got 5's on all of them.) The counseling office at the HS says they are only used for placement. Others have said since he got the highest possible score you should send them. We're curious to hear from other parents, admins, and/or students. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Are they listed on his transcript?</p>
<p>We are not sending AP scores to the colleges DS is applying to (it gets quite costly), but AP exam scores are listed on his transcript if anyone wants to know. Only plan on sending them to the school he ends up going to.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m completely off-base on this, but it seems to me that getting really good AP scores is, in a sense, another data point like really strong SAT’s or SAT II’s. I don’t see why you wouldn’t send them.</p>
<p>We are not sending any until we know where our son is going and then we will only send them if he can use them for credit. </p>
<p>Why else would you? I wouldn’t unless the schools you are looking at suggests you do as part of the admission process. Do they show up on his high school transcript? If so, it seems like overkill.</p>
<p>Colleges say they are fine with self reported scores. Over and over I’ve heard them say they don’t care what score kids got, but they do care that they have challenged themselves by taking a demanding curriculum. Others feel they want to be sure colleges know their kids really did get the top scores they’ve already self-reported on the application. Honestly I find it hard to believe that colleges really don’t prefer a kid who got all fives on APs to one who got all ones, or even twos and threes. The question is, do they need proof. They say they don’t. I’ve chosen to believe them as sending AP scores to 9 colleges would add up to a pretty penny. The colleges can always check with the high schools who should also have a record of the AP scores. A GC could also mention the scores in their own recommendation. Finally if your child took more than three AP tests they should be in line to get one of the AP scholar awards which provides some indication that your child scored reasonably well.</p>
<p>Agree with mathmom, the schools say self-reporting is fine. Last year when my dd was taking the AP exams, we sent the grades to her (then and now) #1 choice school. That send was free. Other than that, her scores are “self-reported” on her application forms and on her transcript.</p>
<p>You should definitely self-report them, but there’s no need to send the official report until your son knows where he is going to matriculate.</p>
<p>^^That was our experience also. Self report on the application; send scores to school to which student will actually attend after the AP tests in senior year are taken. College will use them for credit and/or placement.</p>
<p>I had DS1 send in his AP scores to all his EA schools because we didn’t want to take any chances and because we were ignorant on this process. Moving forward, we’ll just self-report for the RD schools.</p>
<p>It’s $15 to send your scores to a college. </p>
<p>My son is applying to 8 schools - that would be an additional $120 for something that it is okay to self-report or have on the HS transcript.</p>
<p>IF your child is taking any AP exams in May of senior year, have him provide the code of his college choice on the form. All of his AP test scores will be sent in July for free - even the scores from previous years…</p>
<p>^^^<br>
That’s the way to do it!</p>
<p>Free…I like free!</p>
<p>Thanks for that info mom2collegekids!!! Gotta love free!!!</p>
<p>I don’t know about it being free per se, since it’s likely imbeded in the cost of the AP exams. However, I do agree that self reporting seems to be fine with the colleges, so save the sending of the final reports until after completion of the senior year AP exams this May (scores are usually out in July, so that should be in enough time for most schools for placement.)</p>
<p>Did someone say Free!!! Woot Woot!. I agree, self report for now, free next text date in May. Thnks Mom2college.</p>
<p>Just make sure you kid has the code, or ask the school if they provide codes. Some schools have the codes of the popular colleges on hand, but some don’t. I think some schools have a booklet available to look up the codes…don’t remember.</p>
<p>You can find the college code from the college website or from the college board website. It is the same number that you use to send your SAT results.</p>
<p>I agree. For S1, he self reported and then sent senior spring to the school he chose. We will do the same with S2, he’ll self report and send in senior spring to the chosen school.</p>
<p>I appreciate all the great feedback. The consensus is obviously self report. Then send to the school he decides to attend.</p>