Should I Send My AP Scores?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You earned a 5 (or a 4 in a very competitive subject) on an AP exam that directly relates to your intended college major, and the schools you’re applying to explicitly state that they grant credit or placement for high scores.
• Good fit: The college’s admissions rubric emphasizes academic rigor and test scores, and you lack other standout metrics (e.g., limited extracurriculars), so a strong AP score can substantiate your readiness for college‑level work.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Your score is a 3 or lower, which many selective institutions view as average or below expectations, potentially drawing attention to a weaker area without offering credit.
• Warning sign: The college explicitly states that it does not consider AP scores for admission or credit, making the submission redundant and possibly cluttering your application.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Strong scores can demonstrate mastery of college‑level material, giving admissions officers evidence of academic preparation.
• If the receiving school offers credit, you may place out of introductory courses, graduate earlier, or reduce tuition costs.

Cons

• Low or average scores might highlight a weakness, especially if the college reviews the full score report.
• Sending scores incurs a fee per report and adds paperwork; unnecessary submissions can waste resources and time.

Decision Checklist

• Do the colleges you’re applying to list AP scores as a factor in admissions or credit decisions?
• Is your score in the top percentile for that exam, and does it align with your intended field of study?
• Have you accounted for the cost of sending reports and the potential impact on your overall application narrative?

Alternatives to Consider

If you decide against sending AP scores, you can still highlight the coursework on your transcript or in the application’s academic profile sections. Some schools allow you to submit unofficial score copies for review without the fee, or you might opt to retake the exam in a later session to improve the result before final submission.

Final Recommendation

In most cases, send AP scores only when they are high (5 or a strong 4) and the target colleges value them for admission or credit. When scores are modest or the schools do not consider them, it is usually safer to omit the scores and focus on other strengths. For high‑stakes decisions—such as applying to highly selective institutions—consult your school counselor or admissions advisor to ensure your strategy aligns with each college’s policies.