Self-reporting AP scores

Parents Forum
1

I just noticed that my son forgot to report his AP exam scores on his common app. He took 3 AP exams and was an AP Scholar. He got a 4 , 4, and 3. Unfortunately, in AP Calc BC, his semster grades were B- and then A-, so I’m sure the AP test score would have helped.

He emailed his admission counselors for the schools now. 4 of them were his ED/EA schools (HMC, Purdue, UMich, Santa Clara) and 3 were RD (GT, USC, Northeastern) schools. Since his GPA was on the low range, and his SAT scores wer on the high range, I think the AP scores could have helped. But I’m guessing the ED/EA AO’s already made their decisions.

I know worrying can’t help, but I’m worried.

2

He did what he needed to do to the information updated. Nothing more to be said at this point.

FWIW, even if he had included the scores on the apps, I don’t think they would have been a make-or-break.

3

Thank you @skieurope ! Results are coming in about a week and I’m more nervous than he is!

4

Something similar happened to me when I was applying 2 years ago.
Purdue was very understanding and added the info to my file.

5

@PeteWells - do you think it made a difference in your admission decisions?

6

@deadbeef00 - I was accepted a couple of weeks after sending the missing info. So, maybe it helped with the admission decision for Purdue.

7

It makes zero difference in admissions decisions.

8

I’d be more worried about being so worried - don’t let him see all that. There is too much pressure on them already and the worst end result in the college process is for a kid to feel like they let their parents down by not getting into a certain school. Don’t own it too much, this is their deal. Good luck and try to enjoy the holidays - try to forget about the mail and checking things online - let him do that. It will be a much smoother process that way.

9

A bunch of 5s might help. A bunch of 2s might hurt. two 4s and a 3 won’t do either.

10

@VickiSoCal true. But I was concerned that the AO might assume the worst since the scores weren’t self-reported

11

Have you ever seen a copy of the transcript sent by the school? My school has the results of all tests on those.

12

ours has no test scores.

13

I had no idea this was a thing until I actually got my own copy from the registrar. All the classes and GPA etc are online, I suspect many parents never see the official transcript. I only did because college confidential. I never even saw an official copy of first kid’s official transcript.

14

Most universities will include the scores in a file if you provide them. Whether or not they consider them depends on the university. It’s the same with high SAT scores/lowish grades. Some universities will consider the scores to compensate for a less-than-impressive GPA. Others, however, will interpret this as a situation where the student may have ability but has not applied themselves. This wouldn’t necessarily be treated as a plus.

15

Fact of the matter is, “average AP exam scores” is not used in rankings. Therefore, it is not important to colleges. Perhaps on the fringes it could make a difference in admissions. For example, they may wonder why an applicant with 1600 SATs and 4.0 GPA got a 2 on five AP exams.