For one reason or another when I first filled out my common app back in September I must have missed where you are supposed to report AP scores… I applied early to one school, so I can fix this mistake for all my schools but my number 1 school. How bad will this hurt me?
That’s because schools don’t require AP scores as part of the application process. There is no place to put them. You can add them under ‘additional information’ if you want to but it’s optional. It won’t hurt you at all. But if you want to, you can send them an email with the additional information.
There’s a section on the common app under testing where you are supposed to report AP scores if you want. And I feel like AP scores could be make or break in rigorous admissions processes… Also I must have messed up that entire section because I didn’t self report SAT scores either, even though I sent them officially through Collegeboard. I don’t have to self report SAT scores if college board sends them right?
As far as I know in terms of test scores (SAT & ACT) is that they will only look at scores they officially received from the testing organization that you chose to send, not what you self reported on the common app. But for AP scores I think they do need to be self reported on the common app
Would it hurt not to self report any?
What were your AP scores? If you scored 4s and 5s, you should definitely self-report them. If you scored 3s, I’d meet with your guidance counselor.
What schools are you applying to? Colleges will see AP classes listed on your transcript and some schools, particularly the ultra-selective, may want to know how you scored on the AP exam. Typically, the only reasons people would not self-report AP scores are to hide poor scores or the cost of the AP exam represented a financial challenge.
@golfcashoahu I scored 3 5s and am applying early to Princeton. I’m worried it’s too late and that even if I do email to update them my application will have already been reviewed
It won’t make any difference at all. They aren’t required. Some of the top private schools in our region don’t even offer AP classes. They say all their upper level classes are college level and they find the curriculum required to pass the AP exams to be too narrow and too based on rote. D’s public magnet school IB program had no APs either, so no one had scores to report unless they took the tests privately elsewhere. Selective college and universities know that APs are not universally part of the school curriculum so they don’t require them. If you did well and you want to report them, go for it. But lack of reporting isn’t taken to mean that you did poorly on the test. Colleges will ask for the scores only after you’ve been admitted for placement purposes, for possible college credit, or to skip distribution requirements.
They can see both your self reported and official SAT scores. As long as the official get there, good. As for the AP scores, yes, they can review them. I’m sure you did the best you could with the rest of the app. They’ll read the whole app package.
I have my own question on a similar note. I asked my GC about what to report for my common app to my top choice school (EA so already submitted) and he said that I should only post my top scores since those are the only things they use for placement anyways. So I did that. But I also reported being an AP scholar and AP scholar with distinction. I sent in my scores later (even tho I am now realizing they were not required anyways) but will admissions even take that into account? I’m afraid they will only see the few scores I reported and question the whether I am even a scholar, even with my submitted AP scores. Anyone know? Thanks.
AP scholar isn’t any tip. But of course Adcoms can review AP scores. Why wouldn’t they want to see?
What can matter most is the scores most related to your poss major.