I didn't do so hot on one of my AP Exams, how will this effect my chances?

superbison007

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
67
So these are my AP score starting from Freshman year

9th
AP Human Geography - 4
10th
AP European History - 4
AP Computer Science A - 4
AP Calculus AB - 5
11th
AP Calculus BC - 5 (AB Sub score - 5)
AP Language and Composition - 4
AP U.S History - 4
AP Statistics - 2

I got an A in all of these classes except for Calculus BC which I got an 89 in. I had a really bad teacher for statistics. The academy is going to see all of my AP scores when I finally decide to report them, but I am worried about my awful Statistics score. How will this affect my admission?
 
I had a really bad teacher for statistics.

1) It is what it is...you can't change anything so why worry about it ?
2) Your other AP scores are good, so Stats is an anomaly.
3) In my opinion, blaming "a poor teacher" could have a bigger impact than the AP score. You are going to have bad teachers throughout your academic career (yes including at USNA), the good students overcome it and learn the material anyway. You are responsible for your performance, so don't blame the teacher.
 
.
Young man ... don’t worry so much. From what you have shown, it looks like you are doing fine. Just work harder when you see the material again.

You will likely study Stochastic processes in Engineering and Applied math, and it is very heavy on Probability and Statistics. So just be ready. You are young right now. You have a lot of time. In fact, that’s all that any of us have, is time.

Similarly, the transition from classical Newtonian physics to Modern physics (relativity and quantum) requires a shift in thinking. Like the study of Stochastic processes, it takes a while to settle in.
.
 
I had a really bad teacher for statistics

@OldBGO is correct, as he so often is. No one wants to hear a student blame a teacher for a bad grade. My DS and nephew have a tendency to do that and I tell them that they need to find a way to overcome. Life is full of obstacles. Learn to deal with them. If you have trouble with a class in the future and are not "connecting" with the teacher, there are other sources of extra help. Seek them out when you first notice difficulty with the course material. Don't ever let yourself fall behind, because then you get lost.

Your other grades are good. One bad AP grade won't kill you. For me, an advanced probability and statistics course was the most difficult college course I took, so I understand. I wouldn't be surprised if others who look at your transcript will notice too that it was difficult class for high school . It's not like you got a bad grade in an easy class. Don't worry.
 
That Calc BC score casts a long shadow, so trust your results in the core math classes (completed by 11th grade!) Don't make excuses, just resolve to do better if you get another crack at the material. Use the fall semester to show you haven't stopped studying.
 
Gee, imagine how disadvantaged a kid who had zero AP courses would be. . .
Yet they get admitted to USNA right out of High School and do just fine. I've interviewed hundreds of applicants (more probably thousands) and have encountered very few how had AP courses as a Freshman. As has already been said, AP scores are not really part of the admissions process but the grades achieved in the courses are used.
 
They are giving more and more AP classes earlier and earlier. My DS just took one in 9th grade. Apparently, the thing to do now is to duel enroll at community college Junior year in high school and take the AP classes there. No AP tests that way.
 
Look on the bright side, I believe you are one AP test score of 4 or 5 away, based on what you do your senior year, from being a National AP Scholar and that would be great for your resume! See rules below -
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/awards-recognitions/ap-scholar-award

For USNA, as brewmeist stated, I believe AP scores are used for validation only. Validating several classes can help set you up for VGEP, or for easier loads some semesters.
 
Back
Top