As high school juniors are preparing for their AP exams, many are wondering how important are they!
The depth and breadth of a student’s high school curriculum is very important – work done at the accelerated, honors and AP levels will matter in how the admissions committee evaluates your overall transcript – rejection or acceptance.
Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities (and BS/MD programs) expect students to enroll in AP classes unless they have enrolled in an International Baccalaureate (IB) program or if their school does not offer AP classes.
Students who are applying to Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities (and BS/MD programs) on average enroll in 8 – 12 AP courses. It’s important that you do well in the AP courses, as admissions officers want to see that you have been challenged and that you are doing well despite the challenging and demanding curriculum.
Students not taking advantage of AP courses offered at their schools are generally not looked at favorably during the admissions selection process. “Several admissions officers at the Ivies have told me that they’re more likely to admit students who have taken several APs.” – Dr. Paul Lowe
AP exam scores are self-reported. We recommend that you should report scores if you receive a 3 or higher.
Dr. Lowe advises his clients which AP courses they should enroll in as it relates to their college student profile thereby helping them stand out during the admissions process.
Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs. The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges, Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected and student who wish to transfer to another college: College Transfer Admissions Advisors. For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.
Dr. Paul Lowe - Admissions Expert 