UC Berkeley Conditions of Admission (AP Exams)

Hi,

I’m an incoming freshman who canceled a couple AP Exams due to the pandemic and a family member’s medical emergency (they became at-risk to the virus). It was only when I got admitted to Berkeley, that I realized these exams were conditions of admission. However, I got responses on reddit saying it was all good, and to fill out the update form on the portal.

Unfortunately, despite filling out the form 2 weeks ago, I have yet to get a response from the admissions office. On top of that, someone else in the same situation told me that someone from the admissions office told them that there were new policies on canceled standardized exams. Should I be concerned, and does anyone have any additional information?

Thank you, I appreciate your help.

Not taking the exams will not jeopardize your acceptance

We are in a similar situation here. Submitted the form two weeks ago but haven’t heard back anything. Tried to call but couldn’t get through after waiting on hold for an hour multiple times. @skieurope, if you don’t mind me respectfully asking - where did you get your information about that? Thanks so much!

Amongst other sources, the counseling office at my HS and my brother, both of whom asked UC directly.

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That’s excellent to hear it came directly from UC. Thanks so much for your help!

The AP exam scores have always been a condition for admission for UCB and in the past it was confirmed that any scores reported on your UC application need to match the official score report. The wording looks slightly different this year, but I have never heard of any student that was rescinded for not taking the corresponding AP exams their Senior year. It is important is the grades in the AP classes and if your HS transcript and AP score report what you have reported to the UC’s.

Hopefully you will get confirmation from UCB but I do not think this is something to worry about, especially since you have a legitimate reason for not taking them.

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Thank you for your help. I called them, and they can’t confirm 100%, but they did say “more than likely” it would be fine. They have some new policy at Berkeley where it goes through a committee review, and each student is evaluated on a case-by-casis basis.

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Thanks for sharing the info from your phone call. I’m glad you were able to get through! Did they tell you if they will give you a response for sure after the case-by-case review, and if so when you might expect that response?

Yeah, they told me that I should expect a response later this week or early next week. Anxiously waiting for good news. Good luck!

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Can you quote the wording for this condition, and the source?

I’ve never heard of taking an AP exam at the end of Senior year as a condition for admission to a school.

Thanks and good luck to you too! Hope it’s good news!

It is found on the FAQ’s for admission.

Q: What am I supposed to do if my AP, ACT or SAT tests scores are not available by July 15?
A: Berkeley acknowledges only AP scores that are 3 or higher. APs with scores lower than 3 are not required as a Condition of Admission. Your AP test scores are not available on your checklist until July. If we do not receive your test scores within 10 days after the July 15 deadline you will be notified via MAP@Berkeley. If we still do not receive these scores, your admission may be cancelled.

Q: Why do I have to send AP scores if I do not intend to take these courses in college and do not intend to seek college credit for the AP test?
A: Because you were admitted on the strength and truthfulness of your application, you must send us your credit-bearing AP scores. The admission of any applicant who has provided misinformation on AP exams or scores is subject to cancellation.

Upon enrollment, all students are subject to their provisional admission contract.

https://apply.berkeley.edu/counselor/freshman_FAQs.pdf

Unless the wording is different for enrolled students in the provisional admission contract, I have always interpreted these statements as you need to provide proof the AP scores listed on your application are valid. Not that you are required to take the AP exams.

There are “Conditions of Admission” that are linked to your letter of admission, and in that document, under the “Documentation Requirements” section it says:

“Send us ALL official test scores:
SAT Subject Test (if applicable)
Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) examination results”

Additionally, when you submit an update form for not meeting your Conditions of Admission, there is this option:

“If you will not meet your Conditions of Admissions or are reporting changes to your schedule, select all that apply and indicate the reason(s) below.
_ I will not be taking the AP or IB exam as reported on my application”

yes this is correct. All the AP Scores that I reported (exams that I had already taken) were all correct and accurate. Its just the AP exams that I didn’t take which are causing problems.

And OP asked about being rescinded due to not taking the exams, presumably at the end of Senior year. So I don’t see how the “your scores must match what you submitted” applies.

Perhaps I misunderstood. OP, are you saying you submitted AP scores on your application but didn’t actually take the exams?

@RichInPitt there is a new option in the Admission Conditions stating they need to be notified if the student is not taking an AP exam which was reported on the UC application. I have not seen this statement on the Provisional admission contract. Not sure why this would be a reason for rescinding an acceptance.

“If you will not meet your Conditions of Admissions or are reporting changes to your schedule, select all that apply and indicate the reason(s) below.
_ I will not be taking the AP or IB exam as reported on my application”

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@vb2047, have you heard back from them yet?

not yet… hopefully soon. I will call them on Monday to check in again

Same here. Good luck!

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This was posted today on the Cal Admissions instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/caladmissions/

"We want to clarify our expectations around AP exams in your senior year.

As always, admission decisions are based on all that students report in the application, so we do expect that students follow through with the planned AP exams reported on the application. That being said, we understand that things change, and that it might not be in a student’s best interest to complete all planned AP exams this spring, especially with the ongoing pandemic. For students who choose to not take all reported AP exams this spring, their admission to Berkeley will not be rescinded. We do still ask that they submit an Update Form if there are any changes to what you reported on the application, including dropped AP exams.

We hope that all students finish out their senior year strong and expect students to continue to meet all other conditions of admission."

UC Berkeley Admissions on Instagram: "We want to clarify our expectations around AP exams in your senior year. As always, admission decisions are based on all that students report in the application, so we do expect that students follow through with the planned AP exams reported on the application. That being said, we understand that things change, and that it might not be in a student's best interest to complete all planned AP exams this spring, especially with the ongoing pandemic. For students who choose to not take all reported AP exams this spring, their admission to Berkeley will not be rescinded. We do still ask that they submit an Update Form if there are any changes to what you reported on the application, including dropped AP exams. We hope that all students finish out their senior year strong and expect students to continue to meet all other conditions of admission."

Hope this helps!

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