<p>Hello guys,</p>
<p>I am senior, admitted to Cornell ED. Right now, I have two classes - AP Physics & AP Chem - that I am doing sort of well in (both As, 95%-100%). The thing is, I don't feel like I am prepared for AP tests in these subjects. I basically had to self study the subjects over the year because both teachers didn't teach at all. The case and point is that I could take the tests, get a 3 or 4 in both, and then not even use the credits at Cornell. Is it even worth taking the tests? I feel like I would rather relearn the material there either way. How will Cornell look at it? Will it even care if I don't take the exams?</p>
<p>P.S. - I am taking Calc BC, AP Lit and AP Gov tests for sure.</p>
<p>Bumppppppppppppppppp</p>
<p>IMO it doesn’t hurt to just take them. From what I’ve heard, colleges don’t care as much about AP scores as your grade in those classes. The scores are used only for giving you credit in classes if you choose to report your scores. So even if you get a 4 or 5 and can skip some classes, you can choose not to report your scores and still take those classes at Cornell if you feel that would help you more. Again, this is just from my experience and what I know.</p>
<p>Thanks for your opinion, ladyelizabeth429. I love the subjects - in fact, I want to study physics - but I don’t know if I would want to skip intro classes (assuming I get a 5 or a 4), and then have gaps in my knowledge. And honestly, I could probably put 160 or so dollars I will save to a better use. My financial situation isn’t the best…</p>
<p>Really doesn’t matter if you take the tests. I would take them just so you have the option to place out of the intro courses.</p>
<p>Do you qualify for free lunch (income below 70K or something like that)?</p>
<p>Yeah, I do, but my school district makes me pay the $86 price. It used to be different last year, but I think we are in a deficit or something this year.</p>
<p>OK I may sound stupid right now, but isn’t that an AP policy and not a school district policy? As in isn’t the $5 fee program funded by College Board and independent of the district budget?</p>
<p>Idk about that to be honest. I thought that the program is between the school and the CollegeBoard, with each party carrying a certain portion of the cost?</p>
<p>Take the tests - you never know - Cornell gives credit for 5’s and some 4’s. It could get you out of an elective or whatever. Cornell is a difficult school and the opportunity to take a smaller course load some semester down the road might be helpful.</p>
<p>Read over the financial aid policy. As for the classes vs. the tests, you can always change your mind even after getting credit. You would lose the credit, but you can choose to take the class.</p>
<p>[Federal</a> & State AP Exam Fee Assistance](<a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ap/coordinate/fee-assistance]Federal”>Federal and State AP Exam Fee Assistance – AP Central | College Board)</p>
<p>So the fee assistance programs are basically a state decision then. I only pay $5 for each, but I’m in California :-/</p>
<p>I used to pay five dollars - last year it was $5. This year things have changed (I am from Washington btw). Thanks for all of your replies, I appreciate it. I think I will take the exams and just have the scores in case I ever need to use them (that is, if I do score well on the exams). Thanks again!</p>
<p>Good luck and congrats on getting in! :-D</p>
<p>Think about it this way, if you place out of enough intro courses, you can save money in the long run by potentially being able to graduate early. Intro courses aren’t as important as people think they are. </p>
<p>I’m a “1st semester senior” right now studying ECE in engineering (graduating a semester early because of my AP credits).</p>