I asked my husband, my older daughter, and my older daughter's friend which dress I should wear for July 4th. They all agreed I should wear the red dress, but I really wanted to wear the navy dress. I just felt better about myself in the navy dress. That's the thing about asking others for their opinions. You may not hear what you want to hear.
I feel that way every July when AP scores come out. Families ask me whether they should report all AP scores, some AP scores, or none. They ask me because I have made admissions decisions on hundreds of thousands of applications during my career. Yes, that's not a typo. That means I've seen a lot and I know a lot about college admissions. Yet, sometimes families don't like what I tell them to do. And that leads to indecision and doubts.
Here are some truths about AP scores in college admissions that we may not like, but are true:
1. Yes, a score of a 3 on an AP exam means you passed.
But if you are applying to highly selective colleges, a 3 and sometimes even a 4 could be used against the student in the admissions process. This is why students shouldn't just report every score they get, unless a college requires all AP scores to be reported.
2. Speaking of colleges that require all AP scores, there aren't many!
Stanford University and Caltech require all AP scores to be reported. MIT, Princeton University, Georgetown University, Emory University, Dartmouth College, and Yale University recommend or strongly encourage that all AP scores are reported. If a college doesn't require all AP scores (and that's the vast majority of colleges), the student has every right and opportunity to only report AP scores that they want the colleges to see.
3. The moment you report something in your application, like an AP score, it's fair game to the colleges—up for judgement.
While a college may assume a lower score if you don't report it, they can't hold it against you in the admissions process. However, if you report a lower score, it can absolutely be used against you.
4. If your high school doesn't offer AP courses, there is zero expectation that you self-study and take AP exams on your own.
READ MORE: APs Are Being Eliminated at Some High Schools. Should We Be Worried?
5. Just because your high school requires students to take the AP exam if you take the AP course, it doesn't mean you have to report your AP scores.
6. There is a difference between a 5 and a 4 at elite colleges.
Don't listen to admissions influencers who say there's not. Most of those admissions influencers have NEVER actually worked in a college's admissions office. Elite colleges would much prefer to see a 5 than a 4.
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7. Reporting AP scores for the college admissions process is different than reporting AP scores for credit once you get admitted and enrolled at a college.
Not reporting AP scores in the application doesn't preclude you from getting credit for AP scores once you are enrolled.
8. AP awards can be reported in the honors section of your application, but whether they should be reported remains the question.
AP awards do not change admissions decisions; AP scores can and do change admissions decisions. AP awards are also fairly common. And if you don't report all of the AP scores (or any), listing the AP award will draw attention to the fact that you got an award but didn't actually report the scores.
9. Consider your major choice when deciding which AP scores you report.
For example, getting a 5 on an AP exam that directly aligns with your major choice will strengthen your application. Getting a lower score on the exam that aligns with your major choice will not strengthen your application.
10. Despite the national debate on grade inflation, getting an A in an AP course is still more important than getting a 5 on the AP exam.
Granted, if you get a final grade of a C in AP Calculus BC, but you get a 5 on the exam, colleges will take note, for sure. The 5 doesn't excuse the C, but it will soften it a bit.
READ MORE: Why Your College Essay Topic Needs to Be Fresh
Asking someone you trust for their opinion doesn't always give you the answer you want. But they are always honest with you and looking out for your best interests. I chose the red dress the other night. My family didn't steer me wrong. I wouldn't steer you wrong either.
