Hi there,
I’m a rising senior who is filling out the UCAS application in addition to the common app. I had a few questions about my AP scores and ACT as well.
I have taken AP Calc AB and AP French and got 4s in both. I’m taking four more AP courses next year (Gov, Calc BC, Comp Sci, and Physics 2) and will be taking more tests as well (English Lit and maybe others). Given that the UCAS application is due before I take these tests and that all of them require more than 2 APs, how much will my pending scores affect me? I know there can be a conditional offer, but still.
About ACT, places like LSE say they don’t require it. Will they take it into account at all?
Thanks!
First, take a look at the UK version of College Confidential (the student room . co . uk). I do believe there is a section for international qualifications. Your referee/tutor will need to submit “predicted” grades for your pending AP tests (so you will need to find a teacher who is able to assess your performance in those classes). When UK unis say they want 4-5 APs, they mean in total so including the ones you take in the year you apply. However, especially if you are applying to top unis (Oxbridge, LSE, KCL, Imperial, etc), many of the international students you will be competing against will already have the required number of APs - and perhaps more.
It is also wise to note that top unis will want scores of “5” for all relevant AP subjects (which in your case would probably be Calc BC, French, Lit, etc). They may make exceptions for scores of “4” but only in extenuating circumstances. Finally, since you mentioned LSE in particular, you might consider that LSE differentiates between “preferred” and “non-preferred” APs. For example, Calc BC is preferred for programs that require A-level Maths, while Gov and Comp Sci are non-preferred. And I’ll add that while Oxbridge now recognizes the ACT, in general, the SAT is a much more widely accepted metric in international schools so you would be best off just sending that score in (assuming it meets their score requirements).
You don’t say what subject you are applying to study, which will matter.
For LSE, they will look at the test scores you have, the predictions for the ones you are taking this year, your PS and your LoR. They require 5 scores of 5 on APs, with an emphasis on subjects that relate to what you are applying to study. Calc BC, Physics and Lit will count, but as @Jess80808 pointed out, Gov and Comp Sci are not ‘preferred’ APs, so at best you are applying with 4 APs- still not enough for admission- and that’s without taking the subject into account.
So, imo, LSE is not realistic.