<p>After getting AP scores back from the seven tests I took this year, I am now a National AP Scholar (unofficially, because the actual awards don't come out until September). That is, I have at least 8 tests with an average score of 4 on all my tests AND at least 8 tests with a score of 4 or 5. I currently have five 5s, three 4s, and a 3. Thousands and thousands of people reach this AP Scholar award after their senior year, but I'm not sure how many do so after their junior year in high school. </p>
<p>The most recent statistic I could find was that there were over 7000 National AP Scholars in 2005; I'm wondering approximately how many of those were juniors. </p>
<p>So how much do you guys think colleges see in a National AP Scholar student after 11th grade?</p>
<p>Ok, it's good because it means that you're taking AP tests and passing them. But the ability to even qualify for such an award varies sharply from school to school based on how many APs are offered.</p>
<p>Some schools will be impressed by this designation, any top school will not.</p>
<p>The only way that colleges will find out you are a National AP Scholar and it will affect their decision is if you become one after junior year, because by the time you find out for senior year you will already be done with the applications process.
So... obviously it's a plus that you took that many and did so well on those AP tests, but beyond that I don't see any value in being National AP Scholar in senior year or in junior year.</p>
<p>Yeah, seems like the qualifications for "national ap scholar" were quite arbitarily chosen...no offense to any scholar out there....but it's just a designation for what colleges can already see in your AP's and exam scores</p>
<p>All the college cares about is if you challenged yourself. If most people at your school take 10 APs, you would be seen as lower than somebody whose school only has 4 APs but they self-studied 1 and took the other 4 classes. Colleges love the kid who was able to break out of status quo of his poorer public school full of dummies.</p>
<p>I think it's pretty trivial. About 20 rising seniors at my school have it (albeit we do offer almost every AP course out there...but I think getting a 4 for higher is pretty easy, even if you just self-study).</p>
<p>It is the CB spreadsheet for 2006 AP scholars broken down by type of scholar, grade, and state. There were about 500 Jr's who attained National AP Scholar in 2006.</p>
<p>Let's say that number rises to about 700 this year. I understand that does not necessarily mean that I'm among the top 700 students in the nation. However, am I correct in saying that when colleges look at AP exams of their applicants, they will rarely see a student with eight exams with 4/5 scores? </p>
<p>How much will this mean to someone like me from an underprivileged state like West Virginia? Last year, our state only had 8 National AP Scholars, all of which were graduating seniors. Although I go to arguably the best school in West Virginia, we still only have two or three Ivy students every year. I'm pretty sure that in my class of 250 students, I am the only National AP Scholar (we have a couple with 5 or 6 exams).</p>
<p>Well, if you can convince yourself that National AP Scholar contains so much value, then it does.
Adcom's decisions are arbitrary from my viewpoint, and well, it depends on who's reading your resume.
I guess for some it's impressive, but for others not so much.
The fact that you're from West Virginia emphasizes that you're searching for above and beyond, which is great, and I think that's what your AP scores will show.</p>
<p>Balladechina212 - it makes you stand out not only in your school but also your state - in your case it's a very good thing. And believe me when I tell you that top schools will care.</p>
<p>You may not be an National AP Scholar since you got one 3 according to collegeboard. </p>
<p>National AP Scholar
Granted to students in the United States who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken (ALL AP Exams Taken), and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.</p>
<p>Um, the OP's average is about a 4.4, which is more than 4, and the OP also has a grade of at least a 4 on 8 tests, so yea, the OP is a National AP Scholar.</p>
<p>But I dunno what the big deal is about these AP awards, since admissions officers already can see your AP scores.</p>
<p>To me, the AP National Scholar is just a title given to students who have done well on AP exams. Obviously, schools that offer more AP courses will boast more National Scholars. It's not that big a deal because colleges already see your self-reported AP scores (although many on CC will force themselves to self-study AP classes just for the title...). I think the depth of knowledge and critical thinking skills one gains from an AP class are much more important than a title for both college admissions and down the future.</p>
<p>I think being AP National Scholar does provide the following to the top schools.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you took these as courses at school and not self study then it indicates the rigor of the curriculum and your ability to tackle the college level load efficiently.
If you self study then it might go both ways; as it might indicate that you were not dealing with rigorous curriculum at your school.</p></li>
<li><p>It set you apart at all levels as it is difficult even at the top public or private high schools to be able to take 8 APs by 11th grade. This is of great value as anything that set you apart provide a reason to adcoms to divulge more into your application.</p></li>
</ol>