I believe that’s true. Thank you!
Thank you so much for all your help and your replies! You view has been amazing to hear from!
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Thank you for everyone’s replies. This means so much to me - and each person on CC has been so kind and supportive of me and of each other. Everyone is so nice. Again thank you!
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Last year 144 out of 650 students at Deerfield or 22% sat for AP exams. The avg.# of APs per student was 3.4 exams. The total number of APs taken was 486. At Choate which is a bigger school by 20%, they took 503 AP exams, so it’s probably about 17-18% of the class taking them. So while they don’t offer many, students still study for them and take them.
The first promo video I think is the best one ever done for a boarding school.
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@cambamarooney - during the past 2 years, the number of DA students “sitting” for AP tests has been lower due to COVID related issues with AP courses/test sittings.
Last year, in particular, it was difficult for many students to “sit” for AP tests. In fact, the statistics you report are probably not accurate. Last year, Deerfield implemented a block schedule where students completed a full year course within 10 or 11 weeks. This made it difficult for many students to prepare for AP tests (whether or not they were in a labeled AP course). The 2 or 3 courses taken each term were accelerated and it was a grind - making it difficult to prep for your AP test in May, especially if you just started the course in March. Many students only had their foreign language Fall term - which ended at Thanksgiving. So, it was difficult to feel confident to take AP tests in May or June.
The school had sittings in early in May for AP tests. Students had the option of taking the online AP tests in June. Many students we know opted to take online in June. My students AP tests online were not counted as “sittings” and, interestingly, scores were not even reported. Maybe because this past year, the tests (but one) were taken without an official AP course tied to it?
So, I would not put too much weight on % of students sitting for AP tests during years 2020 and 2021.
- Finally, during the past couple of years colleges placed less emphasis on AP scores - students figure “why take it”…unless you’re trying to get college credit and many of the colleges boarding school kids are hoping for don’t play the game.
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Honestly, I don’t know why students at top schools take the AP exams. (I realize this is heresy for some people!). But colleges already know the rigor of the class, there’s no need for additional proof. And few selective schools offer credit for AP scores. Not arguing that no one should ever take an AP exam. Just that kids should think long and hard about whether they will get any benefit for doing so. AP exam results are not a factor in college admissions(at least for boarding school kids)
Sorry for the tangent, but to bring it back to the thread, I would not use % of students taking AP exams as a metric in your decision.
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Prolonging the tangent, but I was thinking about this yesterday bc of this thread. It dawned on me that in a test optional/blind world (UCs are blind), AP tests are the only “objective” measure colleges might get. So even if colleges know the rigor of a prep school, AP exams could help distinguish one student’s academic performance over another. A TO 4.0 kid with all 5s across 5 varied AP tests is more of a known quantity even than a TO 3.9 kid from a top prep school. Not sure if that means prep school kids are at a disadvantage without APs, but it couldn’t hurt a TO prep school kid to have a few 5s.
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Those differences won’t be the difference maker in an admissions decision.
Most will still offer waivers.
And given the results of the last couple of cycles, students should not use one college’s AP policy as the basis for whether it not to take the exam, as most publics are still very generous with credit.
But yes, they should not do it thinking it will be very helpful for admissions.
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Sure, if it is possible that you’ll apply to a public university. Many don’t though.
As I wrote, I am not saying no one should take APs. I just want people to think critically and get off the box-ticking and really think about whether they will get any benefit from taking the exams.
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Maybe not, but more information is better than less information.
I am just imagining UCLA readers trying to make their way through 150.000 applications. They don’t use letters of recs or test scores. The vast majority are from publics. If they have 5 minutes to spend per app, I’d be shocked. Wouldn’t be surprised if the eyes go straight to “what are the APs” before they go to “what school did they attend”.
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I saw you mention this before and I’m confused as to your source. The head of Groton college counseling would strongly disagree. In fact she has told exceptional students who are taking classes far more rigorous and advanced than even their Groton peers that the AP scores matter. NOT for college credit (obviously?) but for admission.
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Then they would be wrong based on my conversations with numerous AOs. Not saying that they don’t matter at all, but they are far less important than actual courses. And they are not expected, and unlikely to be the differentiator, if the school offers no AP’s.
I have no horse in the Groton race, but based on other postings, is this really the statement that Groton got right, when they have done so much wrong?!?!
But really, the AP conversation has nothing to do with the OP’s question, do we should move it along.
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I guess I look at it the opposite way. If you took a class and it isn’t a lot of additional studying to prepare, why not take the AP exam?
I wouldn’t do it for something like kiddo’s US History class, which would have required a lot of additional memorization to prepare for the AP. But for physics, calculus, statistics and languages, if you did really well and are already prepared, why not? The tests are offered on campus and the opportunity cost is low. A marginal upside is better than none.
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This definitely should not be used as a mark of school “quality.” Nor do APs play much of a role in college admissions.
BUT I am with @CateCAParent on this. If you can use your AP scores to place out of a FL requirement or for placement in math, or to fulfill some other requirement, I am very much for it. Why pay twice for material you have mastered, especially when the desirable class options at most colleges far outnumber the number of classes you’ll be able to take?
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Let’s get back to the OP’s question.
NO more comments about APs please.
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Attention Accepted Students! Please share your experiences and observations after Revisits at these schools and post here 
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Wow those Deerfield videos were really well done. I remember visiting many years ago and loving the beautiful campus. I had totally forgotten about the formal dress code.
Whats with the boys wearing blazers and shorts? I saw that at my son’s BS too (with bow-ties). Looks strange, but yet so preppy at the same time.
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I have my Deerfield one tommorow - I will certainly share my experience here with everyone!
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