My student attends a school that offers both AP and IB. He will complete the IB MYP in tenth grade then transition to AP. In our school, this represents max rigor available in STEM and he wants to do engineering. Our IB DP program is excellent for other HLs, including history. As a result, the school offers a course in tenth grade labelled “IB Honors US History/AP US History.” This allows the IB kids to take the APUSH test at school. However, only 5-6 IB kids per year get a passing APUSH score because the class does not teach to the test. The class is rigorous and involves a lot of critical thinking, but is more focused on IB DP prep.
I notice lots of posts on here that list AP scores as stats. I am considering having my kid take the CLEP test instead (which I think he will pass) since a low AP score would be an outlier. Recognizing that not all schools give credit for CLEP or 2s and 3s, I would appreciate any perspective on the way this would affect applications for more selective programs, if at all. I am wondering if there are advantages/disadvantages to no score versus low score. He will get an A in the class both semesters unless something goes completely sideways in the next two weeks.
Unless the college requires all AP scores to be included on the application - which I can count on one hand (MIT, Stanford, Caltech) - the applicant chooses to report any/all/none.
CLEP scores (or AP scores for that matter), generally weigh little to none in the admissions process, and I certainly wouldn’t take CLEP for admissions purposes.
And I’m going to be blunt, if a student is taking a course called IB Honors US History/AP US History and can’t be bothered to put in the work on their own to pass the AP test “because the class does not teach to the test,” then “more selective programs” may not be where they should be targeting their applications
There are hundred of ABET accredited engineering programs. Most are fantastic and many not hard admits. You will find outcomes similar at most.
So highest STEM rigor, if you are chasing it for better college, isn’t a necessity.
Engineering is math, math and more math. Make sure they have the foundation.
But there is zero reason to rush your kid, push your kid and game the system.
If they don’t get a good AP score, then they won’t get credit for the class. There’s really no reason to take the AP test in the class you are discussing but if he does and bombs, no biggy. Many suggest repeating classes anyway, especially in STEM. AP isn’t necessarily at a level you’ll see in college. Few colleges require an AP score and given many take them in 12th grade, decisions happen b4 you even have a score.
So what’s right for your student is what you should do - for them to be challenged but not overdone, to have time for friends and activities. Take college admissions out of the equation. Especially in engineering where short of a few schools, prestige isn’t a thing.
I am going to respectfully disagree here. The work load in our IB history classes is much more sophisticated and labor intensive than the corresponding AP only classes. But they do have a different focus. My student “could be bothered” to spend his extra time choosing to do test prep, but instead chooses to spend it following his passions, taking other college level courses and earning advanced certifications as well as working on real-world community service projects. I am suggesting CLEP for the credit benefits, not to be impressive. Many schools accept CLEP right alongside IB and AP. I have no idea whether he would even apply to elite colleges at this point, I am only asking whether no AP score or a 3 instead of a 5 really matters that much. This is a much more objective question than your assumptions about my student imply.
At 99% of schools - no. Not taking is a nothing burger short of knocking out a General Ed or elective. And engineering curriculums are so focused anyway, there’s not even an assurance of that.
And think of how many kids don’t even have an AP score at application or at least are certainly lacking scores - every single one of them Senior year.
Thank you for this perspective. We aren’t chasing anything at this point, but want to keep doors open. He is taking the highest rigor in STEM because he loves it. Honestly, we are very intrigued by several non-“elite” schools, and have another kid doing the state school/honors college route (as did we). BUT we also might qualify for aid due to the new income thresholds at some of these more selective schools. His perfect PSAT math score in 10th grade has colleges reaching out to him, and while I understand that is a marketing strategy and not a commentary on fit, I do not want to close doors over a 10th grade APUSH test when I see little advantage coming from any result. I have browsed some of your other engineering posts and always appreciate them. I may have more questions as time goes on.
I agree with you about the marketing. Assets may be a problem, not because we have any crazy amount but because our income comes from a sole proprietorship, because our retirement plan is diversified and because we bought our house during the recession and appreciation is high. I am not optimistic, but a few schools are in the super-reach-contingent-on-aid category. Our SAI is 20k with one in college, but I am guessing CSS will treat us differently. My older child was not interested in any schools that required CSS, so we don’t know.
This. I think it’s quite simple, AP scores where they either help during admissions or you get credit. My D19 took AP tests partly because at that stage her school graded harshly, so getting 5s on the history APs, for example, when her semester grades were a mix of As and Bs was probably useful.
If you don’t think you need the score to help with admissions, and you’re not particularly fussed about getting credit to use at college, I personally don’t see the need to spend the extra time for the test.
Is this your oldest kid? Yes, a lot of this is marketing. My younger one learnt from my older one to check the “do not contact” box on college board.
My second kid, but I think the first kid did check the do not contact box. I find the mail from lesser known places interesting, but we’ve definitely told our kid that this is targeted marketing.