I was accepted under SCEA to Princeton for fall 2017. I am taking 4 APs senior year and now have to register for the tests. When I look at Princeton’s AP chart, none of the 4 are on the list for use in placement of courses. So…is there any reason to actually at the AP tests and spend almost $400 if the tests won’t be used for admission or placement?
Not really — you must as well save the money.
Actually @VenomBuds this is inaccurate. If the OP was accepted under the premise that they were taking 4 AP’s (this information showed on the application) then test scores are actually required as a condition of acceptance. We know this first hand as we were in a very similar situation (my son’s school cancelled his AP class second semester and he had to self study it. He had been accepted SCEA.) and when we contacted admissions they let us know the scores were still required. So even though the scores may not be used for admission or placement, having the courses listed on your application means you intended to complete them and that is still the expectation.
If you are still unsure, contact admissions directly in case they will allow you to maintain your admitted status and not take the exams.
@Cantiger Wow I didn’t know that the test scores were required… I thought you just had to complete the course. My bad for anyone I unintentionally misled.
In the spirit of full disclosure, @cantiger 's kid was admitted to Princeton several years ago. Requirements for admissions tend to change at the speed of light (unlike other aspects of academia, which moves glacially slow). So the suggestion that you call admissions and ask is a good one. Better to get the info directly. When I called admissions a couple of years ago (not Princeton, but similar level) to ask if it was OK if I did not take an AP exam, the woman laughed at me. :">
I’m surprised by the response @Cantiger’s son received but, considering the source, I’m 100% confident that this is (was) accurate.
I would definitely call their office and ask. I’m sure they want you to take them, but the money is definitely a big factor.
It’s just odd for AP tests to be mandatory, when the results won’t go to colleges before July and they aren’t needed for credit or placement.
Wonder if requiring scores after self study was some unique situation. I’ll be curious to hear what P says.
Thanks everyone for their input. I will call admissions to ask for some guidance. I don’t have any information in my acceptance package that says I need to send any AP scores but I have not formally accepted yet, so maybe they will ask then.
At this day and age it seems unreasonable to require $100 test(s) or revoke admission.
I would call the school. I have never heard that taking AP tests are mandatory senior year. The only requirement I know of is that there must be an acceptable year-end grade in the course. Perhaps because @Cantiger’s son had to complete the course on his own, Princeton wanted to see a passing AP score.
Agreed. If I were in that situation, I would be letting then know that the cost of the AP exams will be deducted from future annual giving checks. 
For what it’s worth, my son was admitted RD to Princeton last year. He called the admissions office because he did not want to take 1 particular AP exam (but take 3 others). The official response from the office was that they expected him to take all AP exams for which he was enrolled. If he did not, then he had to explain why to the Admissions Office. His particular response was that he planned to retake the course at Princeton, and thus any AP credit would be useless. The Office said this answer was acceptable. So, short story, contact the AO (as you say you will) and give your explanation. Then follow their advice. Knowing what is required is always better than guessing at what is. One other thing: as an accepted student, the AO office in general will bend over backwards to be helpful. They are now in the position of selling themselves to you. Enjoy it!
@Pippin99 - Please share the response you get from the admissions office…
The issue is calling the admission office at all and stirring things up unnecessarily. Plus you never really know the accuracy of the information you are getting when you get 3rd hand information from the work study student that is answering the phone. The reality is if you don’t want to take them, don’t take them. Princeton will never know or care. You are never required to send AP scores to Princeton. My son took 11 AP exams and never sent a score report and for all they know he never took any of his senior exams.
I am going to Princeton on 2/21 for Tiger Tuesday and will casually ask about it. I think I will actually be talking to an admissions officer at some point. I have until March to register. Will let you know what I find out.
@Pippin99, where did you get information that Princeton was having Tiger Tuesdays this year, including 2/21? I was accepted SCEA and haven’t heard any info about Tiger Tuesdays this year, unless I missed some e-mail.
@parsoc if you’ve already made an account on admitted.princeton.edu, under Important Dates (right sidebar) there’s a link to Tiger Tuesday. Hope to see you there!
@parsoc Yep on the admitted site. I also got a direct email on 1/26 with an invitation as well.
As promised, I asked an admissions counselor about AP exams for seniors. They are NOT required but encouraged. She understood that none of the current AP classes are on the list for possible placement of future courses and said the exam scores would not be required. So there you have it. Whew! I am still going to take 2 of the 4 exams.