How important are AP scores?

<p>I plan to apply to Columbia University early decision.</p>

<p>I am confused to how important AP scores are in determining admission.</p>

<p>Aren't SAT I, SAT II, GPA, class rank, and EC's the only things colleges look at?</p>

<p>My AP scores are as follows:
AP Calculus AB:3
Chemistry:3
European History:4
Biology:4
next week i'll take: Calculus BC, English composition, and US History</p>

<p>***What are the minimum scores I need to get on these tests to keep my transcript solid? I'm sure I can pass History and English with at least a 3, but I may have to cancel the BC score.</p>

<p>I would appreciate any advice.</p>

<p>Well, anyone? Can someone take just 3 seconds out of their life to respond to an important question?</p>

<p>AP scores don't really matter so much for admission, what matters is that you did well in the AP classes.</p>

<p>AP scores are more for placement, SAT II subject test scores are for admission.</p>

<p>Well I think if colleges see very high scores in the AP classes, but low scores on the AP exam, they question the difficulty of your courses.</p>

<p>The million dollar question here is: Do colleges have access to AP scores? </p>

<p>I thought that it was optional to send AP scores.</p>

<p>If this is true, then these previous arguments are absolutely useless.</p>

<p>It all depends on how your high school process your transcript. At my high school, all AP exam grades are automatically put on the transcript that you have to send to colleges, so in that instance, the colleges will see all my AP scores. However, colleges will not weigh the scores as much as SAT 2's, but they'd like to see that you took as many as possible. That doesn't mean, though, that they won't be considered in admissions processes, it just means they will probably have a really low weightage in the overall scheme of things. Hope that helped.</p>

<p>I think pianoman is right. If the scores are on your hs transcript, they will be considered. Otherwise you need to send them in yourself to get them considered.</p>

<p>While no one knows for sure, I think there is lots of evidence that AP scores are a significant assist in admissions. I would expect your scores to help you, not hurt you. 5's would have been better, but not sending the scores when you obviously took the classes will create doubt...that might be a negative.</p>

<p>I took the Government AP course, US History AP, and Comp Science AB AP courses this year... I feel prepared for the history and the cs, but not for the government (teacher was really bad, no time to self study). Should I take it and hopefully scrape by with a 3 (It's definitely possible). Or should I just not take it at all?</p>

<p>Selective colleges often will use stated AP scores to verify your school's AP program quality (i.e., if you got an A in the class but a 2 on the AP, they will likely think your AP class is on the easy side). Whether they will evaluate you on your AP test scores probably depends on the college, though your scores are good enough that they are unlikely to hurt you if you choose to report them.</p>

<p>Wait... so if you got an A in a course, but a 1 on the test, it won't hurt you in admissions?! Wouldn't colleges be a little skeptical about how you got that A?</p>

<p>what if you got an 80 in an ap class and a 5 on the exam</p>

<p>Columbia does not even ask for AP scores. There is no room for them on the application. So unless you want to send them, Columbia will never see them until after you are admitted. I got into Columbia and i never sent my AP scores with my app. So for Columbia especially I think AP scores dont matter, for other colleges they may be a plus.</p>

<p>I never knew that about Columbia... are there any other big schools that don't ask for AP scores?</p>

<p>i think no college will require you to submit AP scores, however, if they are good, it will help your admissions. For instance, if you had a so-so score on your SAT 2 in Bio, but got a 5 on the AP exam, that will help you alot, as AP=college level course. This indicates that you can handle a college level course.
On the otherhand, a low AP score(if you chose to submit them)could hurt you. I THINK colleges will not get skeptical of you if you dont send in the AP scores. The thing is though, if you get one good score, bu the others are bad, you have to send them ALL in(like SATs).</p>