Hi, I’m a current junior. I took one AP class sophomore year, and was planning to take three this year, but dropped AP Calc in the third week of school. I only just realized that you can get awards for your performance on AP Exams (AP Scholar, honors, etc.), and, since I’m only going to have 3 APs by the onset of senior year, when I fill out college apps, the highest award available to me is the base one of AP Scholar. I’m wondering if this is some kind of a red flag for highly selective colleges. Since most applicants applying to these colleges are taking plenty of AP courses, will being just a regular AP scholar be a turn off? I know no one most likely has a definitive answer, but, in your opinion, do college admissions place a lot of weight onto this?
Not only do they not place “a lot” of weight on it, I am of the belief that they place no weight on it. If achieved, most students who receive one of the AP scholar awards will received it after senior year - well after college admissions have been made. No brownie points are given for receiving as a junior or younger. AP courses are not an arms race where the one with the most APs wins.
So while the piece of paper may be nice for you, for colleges, it ranks on par with your good citizenship medal (said tongue in cheek). There may be valid reasons for pursuing the recognitions, including possibility of credit, but impressing admissions is not one of them.
Significance of AP:
APs are rigorous courses. Colleges like that for admissions.
APs give you credit if you get 4/5’s on the test. College give credit for that. They don’t take it into account for admissions because many people take AP tests as seniors when it is too late.
The AP Scholars/Honors etc. is marketing from the College Board to try to get you take more AP tests.
A lot of people have AP Scholar. It’s like the honor roll. So no, it does not have a big significant on an app imo.