<p>Is it worth all the self-studying? (I would have to self-study 3 to 4 exams.) Do colleges care if you're already a National AP Scholar by the end of junior year, or is it okay they see you're on track to becoming one by the end of senior year?</p>
<p>Please and thank you. =)</p>
<p>Its just another common award, Sure its great but it wont be an acceptance/rejection decision. If it worries you that much go for it.</p>
<p>^ Basically what cowking15 said. It’s becoming an increasingly common award even among juniors, and is not going to be the “make-or-break” factor of your application. That factor is more like your personal statement/essay.</p>
<p>But if you’re borderline, wouldn’t it be to your advantage to have the award?</p>
<p>In 2008 the number of 11th grade National AP Scholars was 836 vs. 15,000 NMSF. But, that along will not guarantee you admission to the highly selective college. If self-studying for 3-4 exams will keep you from excelling in EC’s and you are already taking the most rigorous classes that your school has to offer, dont do it.</p>
<p>For someone without many academic awards, this “national” scholar award would be great. But if you already got plenty of stuff to fill the “awards” sections in your application, its probably not worth the time.</p>
<p>The advantages of becoming a national AP scholar by then are precisely the same as the advantages of taking 8 APs by then. If you’re doing it because you want to challenge yourself that way, it’s good. If you’re doing it just because you want an award and would rather do a science competition in your free time, it’s pointless.</p>
<p>Would it change your opinions any to know that I’m from Arkansas, where only about 10 juniors a year receive this award? In my entire school of 3300+ students, only 5 people received the award, and among these, only 1 was a junior.</p>
<p>As for rigor of my existing courseload…I’m an IB student. That’s why I’d have to self-study so many: most of my classes are IB, not AP.</p>
<p>…hate to do this, but bump…</p>
<p>Why don’t you just self-study along with the classes that you’re taking. It’s a pretty nice award to write down on college app’s. Go for it!</p>
<p>Don’t you get an award for excelling at IB exams (IB Scholar)… I don’t see any point in getting both that and the national AP scholar award, seems like a waste of time. I don’t think it would be much of an improvement to your application.</p>
<p>I V - I’ve never heard of that. Granted, the IB programme is extremely new at my school, so we haven’t heard of a lot of things. I ran a Google search, though, and the IB Scholar Award seems to be unique to Florida…? Am I overlooking something here?</p>
<p>You may be right, however, does your school have an IB Diploma program (this is a very good award I think)? If it doesn’t and you are really interested in getting standardized academic awards, then go for the AP scholar award. I think colleges would be a little confused though as to why you took like 8 or 9 AP exams when you have the IB program at your school, which is considered just as good (if not better) as the AP program. Its your choice though, so do what you want.</p>
<p>I V - I’m in the IB programme already. It’s just that I’ll only be taking two SL exams this year, and I won’t receive my diploma until after senior year, when admissions decisions have already been made. The AP awards, on the other hand, are things I can pursue and receive before application time.</p>