Hey everyone! I'm curious about the AP Scholar with Distinction award. How many students typically receive this award each year? Is it super competitive?
4 months ago
Hello! The AP Scholar with Distinction award is given to students who achieve a high level of performance on their AP exams. The requirements to obtain this award include a minimum average score of 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on at least five exams. The award itself is not particularly competitive, as many students who take multiple AP courses and do well on the exams can get it.
However, it's essential to note that the actual number of students who receive this award may differ every year. Although the exact number is not disclosed by the College Board, it is estimated that around 10-15% of students who take AP exams receive the AP Scholar with Distinction award.
Remember that, while the AP Scholar with Distinction award is a recognition of your academic achievements, colleges will primarily focus on your actual AP courses and the grades you receive. They're more interested in your academic rigor and your performance in those courses rather than the award itself. Nonetheless, having this award can contribute to a stronger college application. Good luck!
4 months ago
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Although the exact number is not disclosed by the College Board, it is estimated that around 10-15% of students who take AP exams receive the AP Scholar with Distinction award.
How prestigious is AP Scholar with distinction? ›
While it's a nice recognition of your hard work in AP courses, it is generally not considered a major award in the eyes of admissions committees, especially at highly selective colleges. This is primarily because the award is relatively common among high-achieving students and is based solely on AP exam scores.
Is AP Scholar with Distinction worth putting on common app? ›
Should I include AP Scholar award in the Common App honors section? Yes, the AP Scholar Award is a great example of an honor that you can include in your Common App honors section! This award demonstrates that you have had success in college-level courses already.
Do colleges look at AP Scholar Awards? ›
Admissions officers instead look at other factors, which means that all the hard work students have put in to earn AP Scholar awards mean less. Even without AP Scholar awards, taking AP courses can still be really beneficial to college admissions, and doing well on exams can save you money in college.
Can you get AP Scholar with distinction twice? ›
Exams taken multiple times only count once; the highest score will be used for the award calculation.
How many kids get AP Scholar with Distinction? ›
Although the exact number is not disclosed by the College Board, it is estimated that around 10-15% of students who take AP exams receive the AP Scholar with Distinction award.
Is the AP Scholar Award a big deal? ›
The AP DoDEA Scholar Award is one of the most prestigious honors a junior can receive at the end of their high school career. It recognizes their hard work and commitment to learning over the course of their educational careers.
What level of recognition is AP Scholar Common App? ›
National Awards
These are considered more prestigious than the previous two. Titles like National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar (and AP Scholar with Honors, AP Scholar with Distinction, etc.) are all national honors.
Does AP Scholar with Honor matter? ›
AP Scholar and NHS type awards are pretty generic. Colleges that attract many high performing applicants won't care about those, but colleges that don't attract a lot of high performing applicants might be glad to see those awards.
Should I put NHS on the common app? ›
Should I list National Honor Society or Cum Laude Society? Listing membership in these organizations is totally fine, but, rest assured, your National Honors Society affiliation isn't telling the admissions committee much that they cannot glean from other data points on your application.
AP awards and recognitions are academic distinctions that you can include on your résumé and college applications.
How hard is it to be an AP Scholar? ›
AP Scholar Awards
Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Visit APID to see the criteria for this award.
What is the AP Scholar graduation cord? ›
AP Scholars (Advanced Placement Scholars) (Light Blue/Silver Cord) Determined by College Board and represents making a level 3 or higher on three or more Advanced Placement exams.
Should I report AP Scholar with Distinction on common app? ›
Absolutely, you should include the AP Scholar with Distinction award on your Common App! Recognitions like these showcase your academic strengths and commitment to challenging coursework, which is something colleges look for. It's definitely not considered fluff—in fact, it's quite the opposite.
Do AP classes boost your GPA more than honors? ›
GPA Weight
At many high schools, honors and AP classes both offer more heavily weighted training compared to regular classes. While honors courses usually add 0.5 points to your GPA, AP classes often add 1 point. In other words, a 3.5 GPA would be boosted to a 4.0 in an honors class and a 4.5 in an AP class.
Should I retake an AP exam if I got a 4? ›
Instead of retaking the exam, focus on maintaining a rigorous course load and broadening your extracurricular profile. Those efforts will be much more meaningful than the marginal difference between a 4 and a 5. Also note that in many cases, a score of 4 is sufficient for college credit or class exemptions.
Does AP Capstone look good to colleges? ›
Participating in AP Capstone Can Help Students:
Stand out to colleges in the application process. Develop key academic skills they'll use in other classes, college, and beyond. Become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers. Earn college credit: Many colleges offer credit for qualifying scores.
