<p>I'm applying to many top universities, but sadly my high school hardly offers any AP classes (I know I can take the exams w/o being in the class, but still..). While I have a great GPA, pretty good SAT, and lots of E/C's, I just realized that I've only taken one AP exam in chemistry and got a 4. </p>
<p>By how much does being an AP scholar matter to colleges? I'm a senior right now, so is it too late for me to become one?</p>
<p>being an AP scholar isn’t as beneficial as getting a 2400 on SAT. It seems everyone is AP Scholar nowadays. National AP Scholar may be a good EC, but AP Scholar or AP Scholar with honor&distinction are common awards among competitive applicants. </p>
<p>[AP:</a> Scholar Awards](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Qualifying for an AP Scholar Award – AP Students | College Board)</p>
<p>It depends. What do you mean by “too late for [you] to become one”? No, if you take enough APs during your senior year, it’s not too late for you to become one. However, as College Board needs your senior year AP scores to decide whether or not you qualify, your designation as an “AP Scholar” will be made far after college decisions have been made.</p>
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<p>Can you clarify how taking many AP courses is a good extracurricular (meaning, outside of school work) activity?</p>
<p>O okay umm… well I figured since I’m a senior and I’ll already know what college I’ll be going to during the spring season, wouldn’t it be too late to show colleges that I’m an AP scholar which would probably increase my chances of getting accepted? What’s the point anyways of taking AP exams as a senior if you already know what college you’ll be going to by then?</p>
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<p>Correct. Let me sum it up this way: You’ll be an AP Scholar if you’ve taken the necessary # of APs by the end of senior year, but you’ll get the distinction at the end of senior year - when it doesn’t matter for college admissions. </p>
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<p>College credit</p>
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<p>haha, only my personal preference. “nerd is the new sexy” If I am to choose, I’ll choose a national AP scholar award over a state tennis award and similar ones. 
:D</p>
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btw, MIT and Caltech are very stingy in granting AP credits. I remember MIT only grant credits to AP Chemistry 5s. Caltech doesn’t grant AP credits at all.</p>
<p>Nikkor50mm, I am fortunately taking 5 APs next year. Ever since my freshman year I have taken the max number of Honors and AP classes my school has had to offer. Would it be preferable for me to tell the colleges that I could have shined more if my school offered more APs maybe?</p>
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<p>I’m in the same boat as you (senior this coming school year), but from what I gather, counselors will be able to indicate on their recommendations what type of courseload the student pursued. If the student has taken the most rigorous courseload possible at the school he or she attends, the admissions officers aren’t supposed to hold it against them if they take less than the average number of APs.</p>
<p>o that’s awesome then lol. thx.</p>