Include Mixed Bag of AP Scores on Common App?

Applying to College
1

Trying to get some advice on whether DS should include his AP scores on the Common App. DS is applying this week to a couple of Top 20 type schools.

Has taken 6 AP exams to date and received two 5s (English and Latin), two 4s (French and World History), and two 3s (Bio and US History). Rest of application is strong with a 4.0 UW GPA at a rigorous private HS, 1570 SAT (single sitting), and 800 Lit Subject Test. Applying to Arts & Sciences with an undecided major.

DS is concerned that the pair of 3 scores look relatively weak and he would prefer to leave them off the application if they are not necessary to include. His HS college counselor thinks the scores are fine to include, but says either leave all the AP scores off or put them all on.

Thoughts?

2

I’d include all. 3’s are fine and the absence of scores in AP classes on his transcript may be raise more questions than submitting two 3’s.

3

This season, lots of kids won’t have taken all the std tests. Adcoms will figure their way around that.

You said T20. The 3s can put him in a less competitive position, especially that APUSH, for a possible humanities kid.

4

A grade in AP course with 3 on AP exam is somewhat disappointing from a “rigorous private HS”. Perhaps the high school college counselor may want to be concerned about how that reflects on the high school.