I am a rising Junior, and I would like to become a national AP scholar before I graduate high school. I would definitely like to become AP scholar with distinction before I apply for colleges. The problem is I could only fit two AP classes into my schedule next year (APUSH, AP Lang and Comp). I was wondering if I took weekend classes at a local community college, would I be able to pass the AP exam later in the year? Also, would It be possible to teach myself over the course of the year?
Relax, AP Scholar even with Distinction doesn’t do much for you. I doubt most recipients actually list it as an award. You should focus on taking a rigorous courseload and having some ECs that demonstrate service, leadership and/or interest in a particular field.
Agreed. For college admissions, it’s about as useful as your good citizenship certificate. It’s certainly not worth jumping through hoops to get enough tests to earn it.
Sophomore here as well, and I had asked a similar question before. By the end of junior year (I basically planned out every AP that I would take), I would be one AP short of National AP Scholar (assuming I got all 4s and up on those APs). I asked whether I should self study Physics 2 for that 8th AP but I was basically told that it’s just a certificate and that the only person that benefits from you getting National is CollegeBoard because you paid them over $700 in just 3 years.
Much better to just send in your AP scores (if they are good), that’s what my DD did instead of SAT subject tests.
I agree…AP Scholar is just a way to get you to maybe take extra AP classes…take what you can, do well in them, and don’t worry about it!
I am going to agree with the rest of these people haha. I ended up taking 14 AP classes with lots of stress in high school. What it got me: 30 credits that waived college requirements, but 47 elective credits that do me NO GOOD. I am a national ap Scholar. But ya, I put my awards on college applications and then got rejected from every one of my top colleges hahaha. They don’t carry that much weight. They are cool personal achievements though. My advice, take every AP that will actually DO something for you in college. Example:I self studied microeconomics and it waived a business school general requirement. And take classes that interest you. Example:I decided to study business instead of science because I took micro, macro and biology. Use high school to prepare for college, and refine your skills and interests. Good luck!
I ended junior yr with national AP scholar, but it won’t help much. Im putting it on my app bc that’s the only academic award I’ve received…
I’m more excited that I will have credits to help lower college costs. Also the main reason I decided to take the 8 tests is because my school lets us have discounted prices ($15).
It’s true that most extra classes will be “useless” ec credits, so keep that in mind if you’re spending $80+/test. In my case, art history, psych, and environmental turned out to be some of the most interesting/exciting classes I’ve had, so I don’t regret taking them.
Don’t stress about this “award”. Take the classes you need/want to and focus your time on better things.
My kids got their AP Scholar certificates about 6 months after the tests.
They were into their first quarter of college going into the second quarter when those things came in the mail.
As the others have mentioned, it’s like a 5th place ribbon.