I am currently a junior, and I have taken 4 AP tests so far, and received a 5,4,4,3. I am taking 4 AP classes currently. If I happen to get 2-3 3s in total in all the AP tests that I take before senior year, should I bother self-reporting them if I plan to apply to prestigious schools such as Ivies, Stanford, MIT, or second-tier prestigious schools such as Duke, Emory, UMich, or UCs? Should I only report my 4s and 5s, and avoid reporting any 3s?
Our college counseling office says to report 4 and 5 scores only.
A 3 adds nothing to your application. Lots of students take AP courses without taking the exams, so there should be no stigma about this.
The UC’s do give credit for 3’s and higher so worth reporting the 3’s if you can get credit.
Here is the list for the UC’s:
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/exam-credit/ap-credits/
Got it! Thank you for the feedback
My D had one 3 in her 10th grade AP class. Her GC told her to report it. It was on her official transcript anyway. IMO, it’s not going to move the needle either way.
I would not report a 3 for admissions but I would report it upon enrolling if they take a 3 for credit.
Just one other point of view…two of my kids each received a score of 3 from AP’s sophomore year, both included it in their apps, and were both admitted to top choices including Harvard and Yale. I also sit on a selective scholarship selection committee and a 3 on an AP would not undermine an otherwise strong application. I would assume the class/teacher was not strong, especially if the other scores submitted are 4’s and 5’s. When I don’t see a score, I am concerned the applicant may not have passed the exam…or didn’t take it because they thought they would not pass it. Again, just another point of view. Like GPA and SAT/ACT scores, perfect and near perfect credentials will not elevate a lackluster application any more than a couple of B+'s (which my unhooked kids also had) or a 3 on an AP will sink an exceptional candidate. I think you are fine.
Thank you everyone for offering insight from multiple different perspectives! Will definitely take this into consideration when applying in the fall!