My parents stated that if I'm aiming for a top 20, i should be challenging myself to the fullest extent possible academically (makes sense).
Then they added that I should be taking as many standardized tests as possible and scoring as high as possible to show colleges that I have truly challenged myself academically and have a passion for learning.
Look, a passion for learning has countless benefits, but will taking lots of standardized tests really show admissions officers this? My parents want me to take 4 SAT 2 tests throughout high school but I thought that the number of SAT tests you took had to be around 2 or 3 and at a high score; after that, is it a point of diminishing effect???
Also, my parents said that since colleges are looking for students that challenge themselves, I should challenge myself through taking as many AP tests as possible; doesn’t the point of diminishing effect also occur here?
This is why I am self-studying AP Bio as a freshman and taking the SAT 2 in Bio as well this year, although I will likely score poorly on both. My parents got REALLY pissed off at me today because they believed that I will be unable to handle “the hardest academic workload” at my high school if I am unable to self study a “measly AP and sat 2 test”. Is there still hope for me? (btw I’m taking aphg and have consistently gotten a 5 on the practice tests, although aphg is kind of a joke lmao).
Last question: how large of a difference is 7 fives on AP testing than 10 fives?
Thanks.
After a certain point, schools care precious little about your test scores. There is little to no difference between 7 and 10 fives.
I don’t see how your parents think a ‘standardized’ anything shows passion or special interest. You sound like an excellent student, and shouldn’t worry about all…
that.
There are various specialized competitions (AMC, MTS, F=MA, NaBO, NaCO, etc.) which are both endlessly more interesting and rewarding.
No, it doesn’t show a passion for learning. It just shows a preoccupation with taking standardized tests.
A passion for learning translates to ACHIEVEMENTS-- like doing creative writing as a hobby or building rockets in your basement because you love it! 10 AP tests and no meaningful ECs will backfire on you. It paints you as “inauthentic”-- just a test-taking drone.
Sounds like a colossal waste of your time.
Colleges want you to take about 6-8 AP 's, carefully chosen.
You DO NOT want to seem like the ‘AP junkies’ who take every possible AP without thinking about their path.
AP bio is a junior -senior class. You’re supposed to have taken honors bio and honors chemistry before you take it. How did your high school even allow you to take it as a freshman ?
It will not look smart to colleges. It’ll look like you’re being micro managed by your parents and making choices based on hubris rather than reason. College adcom will roll their eyes and will look for elements that allow them to prove or disprove this idea : do you do anything noncompetitive ? If interviewing you can expect questions about what you do for fun or favorite TV characters (because micro managing parents push competition and frown on ‘fun’.)
BTW, colleges don’t use scores for admissions, they check whether you’ve had the class.
You’re in AP bio now, do your best in it. Getting a B or B+ in that class would be good. Don’t take the test (if you have to, as per school policy, you won’t have to report the score - no college will expect a freshman to have taken the AP bio test.)
In AP hg, which is a 'gateway ’ course for freshmen/sophomores, you’d be expected to get an A.
What other classes are you taking and what is your schedule for next year ?
What activities are you involved in ?
OP is self-studying AP Bio.
^ Good point. Oh my. :s
What a waste of time, talent, and sleep time, when OP should be involved in several EC’s in order to decide which ones s/he likest best for sophomore year.
There is no admissions benefit to self-studying AP tests. If the AP class is available at your school, you should take the class and the test, since colleges know that you will learn more from doing assignments created by teachers (papers, problem sets, labs, etc.) rather than studying on your own. If the class is not available, colleges don’t expect you to take it. They want you to take the most challenging classes available, which obviously depends on your school.
Your parents are wrong about what colleges want to see. They want to see you taking a challenging curriculum within your high school. Colleges don’t expect you to self-study APs and they say they aren’t that interested in AP scores. Unlike SAT and SAT2 scores, which they require an official score report for, the AP scores are self-reported by the applicant on the common app. If the colleges cared so much about them, wouldn’t they want an official report like they do with the other scores? They also don’t encourage students cramming from a test prep book if there is a class available. The class is going to be a better educational experience, especially for a lab class.
I am truly sorry that your parents are so misguided and that they are making you miserable with their lack of understanding of college admissions. You should focus on excelling in the classes you take at your school. If a time comes when your school is not able to meet your real academic interests and support your progress, then it might be worth considering some outside class or study. I have a hard time believing that as a freshman you’ve already exhausted what your school has to offer. Are you planning to major in bio in college? Does your school not offer an AP bio class for you to take when you have completed the pre-requisites? I just don’t see the point of this.
Most schools that require SAT2 at all, only require 2 of them, though there might be one or two that want 3–you should check. I told my kids to take 3 if they feel that they can easily get an 800 on another one. First kid did the practice test and walked in and took the SAT2 without further study. These tests should not be a big deal. Also, if you plan to go into engineering, the bio one is not a good test to take, unless maybe for bioengineering. They will want math and chemistry/physics. If you take another test I would suggest a non-STEM test to show breadth.
What your parents are making you do is extremely counterproductive to getting in to a good school. If you spent your time pursuing interests and getting involved at your school you would be a more attractive candidate. You’ve already wasted the valuable chance to get started on interests freshman year. No doubt your parents will be posting on this site in a few years about how “your” spot was stolen by someone with fewer test scores.
Just to add, the colleges will want to see your SAT2 tests. If you score poorly on the bio SAT2 you aren’t doing yourself any favors. However, if you are taking honors bio at school and have been self studying the AP material, you should be very well prepared.
Colleges want you to challenge yourself with AP classes that you are actually interested in or that you will need for advanced standing during your freshman year in university. It is very important that you get a good score. If you take many and score badly, it will do more harm than good. Also take classes that are related to your intended field of study e.g. if you want to study engineering you d’better take AP calculus and score well. As for the sat subjects, most schools require only two. Taking more isn’t quite necessary. Just make sure you score well and that the subjects are related to your field of study. You might want to explore a little with the APs but with the subject tests most colleges will require you to take the ones related to your intended major. You won’t get into any decent engineering program without sat math I/II and physics/chem. All in all, do what you love the most just put a lot of effort into it. Don’t do anything forced. Colleges hate kids that take classes just to make a good impression and they’ll be able to tell if you do. Take some ECs too.
You should show your parents the valuable and reputable advice others have given you on this page 