How important are AP's in the whole application process?

[silverturtle]

<p>Here’s what I say in my guide:</p>

<p>

- How do AP test scores affect admissions?</p>

<p>Partly because AP tests are not designed to be admissions tools, they are not as influential as SAT and Subject Test scores in admissions. AP scores are so correlated with the strength of one’s high school (to a much greater extent than are SAT scores) that giving great weight to them would disproportionately disadvantage students from weaker high schools. Moreover, the scale is not nearly as fine as it is with the other tests: students receive only a score from 1-5. </p>

<p>But they are helpful in providing context to students’ grades. For example, if a student has all A’s in AP classes but a mix of 3’s and 4’s on the corresponding AP tests, the meaning of those A’s will be called into question. Similarly, not taking the AP tests for your AP classes will likely force admissions officers to speculate in ways that are not in your favor.</p>

<p>Self-studying for AP tests whose corresponding classes you are not enrolled in is a good way to demonstrate the ability to independently grasp material and the drive to do so. This may have less weight, though, if you independently study for tests that are known to be relatively easy (e.g., Psychology, Human Geography, Environmental Science), as it may appear to be a move done not for the interest in the content but for boosting your admissions chances. See [here[/url</a>] for additional discussion on self-studying.</p>

<p>A final factor that may limit the value of AP scores is that they are self-reported; colleges do not request official score reports as they do for Subject Tests and the SAT/ACT.

</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/369861-self-studying-aps-improving-your-app.html]here[/url”>Self-Studying APs: Improving Your App - AP Test Preparation - College Confidential Forums)</a></p>