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How important are AP scores for admission to Harvard? I know it was mentioned somewhere that it can only hurt you if the scores are bad...

What is "bad" though? All 3's? If they are all 3's, would it just be better to not report any AP scores?

By Selcouth1 (Selcouth1) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 04:29 pm: Edit

i'm in that same situation.. 3 3's and a 5 (one of the 3's shoulda been a 5 but my handwriting really messed me up.. but that's just me whining as usual)
i'm planning to leave them all blank, unless that would look bad in itself.. i thought ap scores were only supposed to be used for placement, not admissions

By Portlander (Portlander) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 06:09 pm: Edit

yah...would it look bad to leave that part of the form blank? ..or just say that I am planning on taking the tests later on?

My school only offers 2 AP courses, but I am taking classes at a local university and planning on taking a few AP tests in May 2005.

By Chatterjoy87 (Chatterjoy87) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 10:12 pm: Edit

Did you get all A's in your AP classes?

I'm doing the IB diploma, so our tests are all in May and colleges have accepted us by then, but if you took AP classes, wouldn't they EXPECT you to take the tests? And if you took the class, got A's or maybe B's and didn't report any scores at all, wouldn't they suspect something?

Are you allowed to omit some scores? Like if you took four tests and earned 5,5,3,3 (isn't 3 still passing though?) you decide to just put down the two fives? But I assume, since it is collegeboard, they send all of your scores anyways. 3s are nothing to be ashamed of...or maybe my standards are too low.

Hope I helped somewhat, even though I am a bit out of the AP loop.

By Selcouth1 (Selcouth1) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 11:36 pm: Edit

3 is not passing at harvard. 3 wont get u any credit on any test there

By Portlander (Portlander) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 11:59 pm: Edit

well..I did get A's in my AP classes

I guess my question is, does it look bad to have taken AP classes and not have any scores listed on the application?

Thanks!

By Chatterjoy87 (Chatterjoy87) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 12:14 am: Edit

Well I define passing as something like 'acheiving minimum proficiency'. I'm sure Harvard only accepts 5s because it's so competitive and it wants people who do very well on exams to place in accelerated courses. I was under the impression that Harvard doesn't give college credit, just moves you to accelerated or harder classes. Anyone want to confirm/refute?

By Selcouth1 (Selcouth1) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 04:17 pm: Edit

it doesnt give college credit, but it does grant sophomore standing if you get 5's on 4 full-course ap tests, like calc bc, not ab.. ab is a half course.

By Hopedart (Hopedart) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 10:05 am: Edit

That's right. Harvard does not reduce the number of courses you need to take to graduate. Harvard wants you to have the total ' Harvard Experience' before you graduate. The degree is a secondary thing when it comes the experience.

By Marite (Marite) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:48 am: Edit

From Harvard's website:

>>Harvard's Advanced Standing program is designed for undergraduates who plan to graduate in THREE [capitals mine] years or plan to complete the A.B./A.M. program in four years. This is a choice made at the end of two years of study at Harvard. To be eligible for this, students who have taken College Board Advanced Placement exams need a total of four full credits, earned by scoring a 5 on a minimum of four AP tests. Full International Baccalaureate diploma holders with three higher-level subject scores of 7 are also eligible for Advanced Standing. Entering students with outstanding records on foreign examinations such as British A-Levels, French Baccalaureate, or German Abitur may qualify for eligibility on submissions of their credentials for evaluation upon their arrival in the College. >>