AP scores

[Bigdog1987]

I got my AP scores in the mail a while back and didn't really know what to do with them with regards to west point. I didn't want to pay the $15 if they wont be looked at or anything, or if they'll do me harm in admission (I got a 2 on AP calculus, and a 5 on AP US History. Only worried about them seeing the Calculus). However, I do want them to 'know' I took them and see the 5 if possible.
I am aware that at WP you can't test out of courses, but you heard you can validate at beginning of beast. I just want to make my file as strong as possible.

 

[FBItomboy007]

AP scores will not help you for admission (they told us at SLS they wouldn't even look at them) but a current cadet told me it is to your advantage to send them at the end of senior year, with all of your scores, because it can help you validate courses. I would definitely send them if I were you, but would wait until you get in and send all of them at once. No sense in paying $15 twice!

 

[bcom]

AP scores will not help you for admission (they told us at SLS they wouldn't even look at them) but a current cadet told me it is to your advantage to send them at the end of senior year, with all of your scores, because it can help you validate courses. I would definitely send them if I were you, but would wait until you get in and send all of them at once. No sense in paying $15 twice!

Based on what I have seen, you don't even have to take any AP classes to get into Westpoint. It seems to be an inside secret?

 

[AKH]

Based on what I have seen, you don't even have to take any AP classes to get into Westpoint. It seems to be an inside secret?

That doesn't mean avoid AP/IB classes. Admissions wants to see a candidate taking the hardest and most challenging classes available to them.

 

[aglages]

Based on what I have seen, you don't even have to take any AP classes to get into Westpoint. It seems to be an inside secret?

What have you "seen"? Certainly if your high school doesn't offer AP/IB classes then the USMA won't penalize you for that, but I do think they expect you to at least take some AP/IB classes if they are offered. Of course I could be (and often am) mistaken, so I'd sure appreciate someone educating me on any inside secrets to admissions to the SAs.

 

[Iwheel]

I know they look at your class ranking more than GPA.
In many schools, taking AP's helps your class ranking (if you don't fail them).

About the use of AP credit. I don't see ANY use. Validating a basic course will only move you into a more challenging course--You cannot turn it into a free time slot.
USMA program is already hard enough before you push it further. Besides special requirements, why validate?

 

[jtoye]

At my hs our weighted GPA is used to determine class rank. Since AP classes are weighted on a scale to 6.0 it is hard to have a high class rank without taking them. If AP courses are offered and you can do well in them it is beneficial to take them.