Importance of AP Scores

<p>hey, didn't mean to cause a debate here, but i was just repeating what i actually heard Dean Fitzsimmons say, in person. (is that enough "back-up"?) i am not in any way implying that you can't get in without good AP scores, i was simply saying that when they evaluate your ability to do college-level work they look at things in that order. that is JUST a PART of the academic side of the application. when they say that "the transcript is most important", that also includes EC's, choice of classes, and difficulty of course load. jeesh, chill out. we all know that there are many important factors here that are ALL important...i'm simply saying what i actually heard rather than saying what i "think". sorry for trying to help.</p>

<p>(thanks sonar)</p>

<p>I think you just trapped yourself with circular logic there sonar LOL.:) I see where you're coming from but if AP scores aren't "officially" listed as a fact by certified reference materials/credible college counseling departments/accurate college websites, then I think we should just trust those who make the "decisions" to do their job right.</p>

<p>It's hardly circular logic.</p>

<p>If you've taken or have had the opportunity to take AP courses, the admissions office believes that the scores are valuable reference. Everything that has been stated by reliable sources was said with "context" in mind (I believe).</p>

<p>Reference material and an admissions board have different objectives in mind.


</p>

<p>My son received a 5 on the 5 AP exams he took this year. So, I hope that does have an effect. He wasn't planning on applying to Harvard because he didn't think he stood much of a chance. He only took the SAT once (800cr, 800 writing, but 690 math), and the SAT II's were all taken in one day (800 US History, 790 Bio E, and 780 World History). His GPA is around 4.3 and rank should be about 7 out of 390. His EC's are really good and leadership, but he is a white, middleclass male from NJ. I am sure there are so many like him applying and those who have better scores and hooks. Still, something tells me it is worth a shut. So, I do hope the AP's results carry a significant weight. Thanks</p>

<p>So how's this for a case-study conundrum?</p>

<p>-I have taken 9 AP Tests.
-I received a score of 5 on 8 of them... and a score of 4 on 1 of them.
-I took all 9 classes - no self-studies. The 4 was from not being as good at Spanish as I am at other subjects.</p>

<p>So, should I list 9 tests with the score of 4, or should I only list 8 scores of 5 and "forget to mention" my final score? That is, if 8/9 AP classes have scores reported, and the final one does not, will that make it look like I got a score of 1?</p>

<p>Cheers and thanks.</p>

<p>Wow lol, you need to go kill yourself if you think an AP score of 4 is even close to being bad lackadais, expecially in a subject like Spanish. As long as you get a 3 or better on an AP test, it's definitely worth putting down I think since otherwise the colleges might get suspicious of your actions. Of course, AP scores are only <em>supposed</em> to help you.;)</p>

<p>Alright, here's my deal with your analysis sonar. AP scores on the Collegeboard tests are largely based on how strong your school's curriculum is in the specific subject area and how good the teachers are. Should someone get penalized for getting straight 1's on their AP tests if they have horriblle teachers and go to very poor/inner-city schools??? Remember sonar, there are valedictorians in many schools who fail all their AP tests believe it ot not. I know it's hard to believe for someone like you, me, or other CC users who can get a B+ in an AP course and still get a 5 on the AP test.</p>

<p>Wow...some of y'all are really paranoid. I got a 1 on the Calculus AB test Junior year. Mind you, the the teacher was an absolute waste of government money and managed to make every Calculus student at my school, all 60 of them, get a 1 - but still. I listed that 1 on all of my applications, and I don't think it really hurt me at all.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Should someone get penalized for getting straight 1's on their AP tests if they have horriblle teachers and go to very poor/inner-city schools??? Remember sonar, there are valedictorians in many schools who fail all their AP tests believe it ot not.

[/quote]
All other things being equal, the said student will not go to Harvard. Why do many students from New England preps go to top universities whereas the same is not true of students in small Midwestern publics? Harvard's foremost goal is to build an academically strong class (insert Joey Cheeks reference). Harvard, and any other top institution, does not hand out acceptances.
[quote]
I got a 1 on the Calculus AB test Junior year.

[/quote]
Don't listen to Divanny; she's a goddess, and, hence, an outlier!</p>

<p><a href="http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/daily/2006/02/17-ap.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/daily/2006/02/17-ap.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>AP scores = of little importance
If you do well (ie get them' 5s required by Harvard) good for you, but the scores are mainly used to give one an option of graduating within 3 years- and that is an unreasonable choice for virtually anyone.</p>

<p>On the other hand, good AP preparation is reflected on the SAT Subject Test scores, which are almost as relevant as individual sections of the SAT.</p>

<p>It is not the GPA that is of utmost importance but displaying that you, as a high school student, took the full advantage of the resources within your reach- and that reach is everyone's personal benchmark. These resources include not only academic options provided to you in high school, but also the resources which you generated; for example- displaying leadership by starting an organization etc. etc.</p>