Question about low AP scores

<p>Hey guys, I just got my AP scores back (rising senior) and they're looking pretty good.</p>

<p>APUSH - 5
AP Calc BC - 5 (AB subscore - 5)
AP Chem - 5
AP Eng. Lang. - 5
AP Stats - 5
AP French Lit - 2 (FML)</p>

<p>As you can see, AP French Lit (which, FYI, is no longer offered) did not go so well. It was a self-study with a handful of other students and my French teacher (usually kids self-study in their senior year, but my French teacher told me to self-study since 2009 was the last administration). Anyway, I knew going in that I was going to be blindsided by the exam and was expecting a 3 or below, so the score was no shock to me. </p>

<p>My question is essentially how I should spin this on college applications. Can I selectively omit scores when self-reporting or should I just look into having it cancelled? Is it possible to have an AP test cancelled after receiving your score? Btw, I'm looking at Caltech EA, MIT EA, UChicago EA, Harvey Mudd, Duke, HYPS, and a handful of other schools. Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>You can omit a score for $10 per grade per college.</p>

<p>You can permanently cancel a score (no charge, I think). But it’s complicated and has to be done by June 15 of any given year. Also, one thing that worried me about THAT step is…will the college look closely enough to see you took A/P level but then…no test/no score? For French…I doubt that would matter though in a school where they might not even CALL the class A/P. Congrats on your good scores. See collegeboard.com</p>

<p>I’m still taking AP French Language next year (i.e. for the May 2010 administration). I took the AP French Lit exam (which is different from the Language exam) while I was still in French IV, so it wouldn’t look at all unusual if I hadn’t taken the exam. In regards to cancelling the score, do they mean cancel by June 15th of the year you took the exam, or can I cancel any time in the next year for reporting to colleges in summer 2010? Also, aren’t most scores self-reported for admissions? My question is whether colleges will frown on me (or possibly rescind my admission … gulp) for not self-reporting my French Lit exam on applications.</p>

<p>Don’t worry about it; I don’t think that score will be the deciding factor in keeping you out of college. I got some low scores (3s and below) but I am going to report them.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, I’m not interested in receiving credit for my abysmal AP French score; in addition to that, it’s not tied to a class. I think that five 5’s would look more attractive than five 5’s and a 2—could I ethically leave it out?</p>

<p>Just cancel the score. Most colleges don’t even really look at the scores other than to make sure they are consistent with the grade you got in the class. For example, if you got an A in AP Gov and then a 2 on the test, they may suspect grade inflation. </p>

<p>They will DEFINITELY not rescind your admission. Most don’t even frown upon it. You report your own scores so you can choose not to report that one. I didn’t have enough room to report all of mine on the common app, so I left off my lowest score.</p>

<p>I would recommend not canceling. It looks really really bad to have an AP class on your transcript but no test grade, more so than getting a 2. I don’t think you can cancel it anyway. That needs to be done before grades by phone are available.</p>

<p>Your other 5’s will more than make up for that one 2, and quell any suspicions of grade inflation at your school.</p>

<p>

Just to clarify: it is not on my transcript! As I’ve said numerous times, this was a self-study in conjunction with my French IV (non-AP) teacher. In addition, I’m still taking AP French Language next year (will hopefully do better), which counts for the same credit at most schools, so I won’t miss out on anything (not that you can get credit for a 2 anyway). I’m probably going to cancel the French Lit score.</p>

<p>colleges won’t see your ap scores until after you’re accepted. you can self-report, and I’d leave it out. (most applications don’t even have a place to put it. my kids put it under “other academics” or something similar.</p>

<p>I know OP is looking for a more subjective answer re: report or not report (my D is in the same boat…that’s why I am looking on this post). But to contradict the response about your having to cancel that grade BEFORE “grades by phone” is available…here is the link. It’s not the same as the SAT procedure to cancel scores, and it is confusing:</p>

<p>[AP</a> Scores - AP Grades & Reporting Services](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>View Your AP Scores – AP Students | College Board)</p>

<p>I admit to not having used this, so I can’t answer as to the procedure. But…if you self report on applications, then there is really no reason not to just leave it off. Decisions are made now. You won’t be asking for credit until next year, THEN you could have it left off (if I’m reading this correctly…it IS a bit confusing). Or…at that point, who even cares? </p>

<p>So…if what everyone says is true and most apps self report…“mox nix”. Wish some of the apps would hurry up and come online so we could see what y’all kids are up against in terms of all these scores and what HAS to be “told”. </p>

<p>Luck to ya</p>

<p>thought you said 4 for eng lang in another thread :P</p>

<p>Hmmm…I dunno. Astrophysicsmom said most don’t have a place for it. Yet I just looked at NYU and their general instructions say you MUST report
"Official transcripts of all college work for which academic credit has been earned ".
Doesn’t sound too optional. I guess though, since THAT French class hasn’t earned any credit…you’re being completely honest to leave it off. But Harvard’s “Universal” application is also “up” and it also has a place to list all A/P scores. I don’t know the protocol. I’m assuming this means the “common” application also asks it. So…the type schools someone with your scores would be applying to…might well ask for it. Tough call. Good luck.</p>

<p>Yeah I’m thinking that I’ll call College Board and have the score cancelled; I want to avoid any question of impropriety (especially if some schools want “all” AP scores) and it’s not like I’d get credit anyway if I went to a school with a more liberal AP credit policy.</p>

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<p>I was under the impression that because you spent a period in that class it would appear on your transcript.</p>

<p>Besides, according to this the deadline for cancellation has passed
[AP</a> Calendar ?AP Exam Dates](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>AP Calendar - AP Students - College Board)</p>

<p>You have until the June 15 after that year’s exams to cancel your scores. It makes sense that way - otherwise you could just take a bunch of exams and cancel the ones whose scores you’re not satisfied with.</p>

<p>Just because I self-studied with my French teacher doesn’t mean it was an actual class. We met after school once a month and discussed the literature assigned for that month (it was kind of like a book club, in retrospect). And I think that cancelling before June 15 has to do with whether your scores will be sent along to universities for that particular year (i.e. if I were attending college in fall 2009 and sent my scores to that school, then French Lit would be sent as well; but if I cancel before June 15 of next year then I can sent my score report to the college I’ll be attending in fall 2010 and College Board won’t send the French Lit score).</p>

<p>Hahah ya man, i feel ya.
Got 5’s on 5 exams this year, and a 4 on french lit. nooo :(</p>

<p>I read the rules the way OP does…IF you filled out “send this year’s scores to”… a particular college …THEN you have only until 6/15 to get that score canceled BEFORE they do the automatic sending of those scores. </p>

<p>However…like everyone says… I can’t believe that ONE score would hurt you. But…I know it’s a VERY hard call. As I mentioned…we’re trying to “read minds” too (would they rather see this, or this? Should I do this or this? Gets harder and harder the higher one aims, eh?). “Bon Chance”</p>

<p>well if i makes u feel better i have 5 5 5 5 5 3 =]</p>

<p>^ your 3 was in World right?
i remember you posting on my thread.</p>

<p>you give me hope [: i got a 3 in world (5 in calc and bio) and was worried that all hope was lost for me.</p>

<p>All hope lost because of a 3? Really? -_-</p>