Do AP scores matter for Ivy Leagues?
Asked by: Alana Price | Last update: October 26, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (26 votes)
In a nutshell, while AP exam scores are not necessarily make-or-break factors for Ivy League admissions, they can still positively contribute to your overall application. Best of luck!
Do Ivy League schools look at AP scores?
Generally speaking, most Ivies do accept AP scores for credit, but the scores required and the type of credit granted can differ significantly from one institution to another.
Is 11 AP classes enough for Ivy League?
The Ideal Number of AP Classes for Ivy League Schools
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as top colleges evaluate applications holistically. However, most competitive applicants take between 8 to 12 AP courses during high school.
Should I submit an AP score of 4 to Yale?
Applicants should submit scores from all subject exams completed prior to submitting their application. Recognizing that access to AP and IB courses varies widely among and within high schools, Yale does not set a minimum.
Is getting a 3 on an AP exam bad?
Generally speaking, 3 is generally viewed as passing and demonstrates that you have a satisfactory understanding of the material. While it's true that the most competitive applicants might have higher scores, a 3 won't necessarily harm your chances, especially if you have strengths in other areas of your application.
STATS + EXTRACURRICULARS that got me into harvard + mit + more ! | gpa, sat score, interviews, etc
Should I report a 3 on an AP exam to Ivy League?
In short, all scores of 5 on AP exams should be reported to elite colleges. However, for scores of 4 or 3, submitting the scores is dependent on the student's coursework and other AP results. Scores of 2 or 1 should never be shared.
Does UCLA accept 3 on AP test?
Credit from Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
UCLA awards college credit for AP exams with scores of three or higher.
Should I submit a 33 Act to Yale?
Average ACT: 34
The 25th percentile ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35. Even though Yale likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 33 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application.
Should I submit a 3 AP score to MIT?
MIT grants credit for a score of 5 on some College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams. It does not grant credit for secondary school courses teaching AP curricula, or partial credit for lower scores. If you take an AP exam more than once, only your higher score will be counted.
Does Harvard accept 4 on AP?
If you want your AP® scores to help you at Harvard, you need to have at least 4 scores of 5.
Is 12 AP classes impressive?
For the most part, the more selective the school you hope to attend, the more APs you should take—within reason. For Ivies and other top 30 schools, aim for 8-12 or more, if feasible. For the top 30-50 schools, 5-8 will usually suffice. Of course, make sure you're not overloading yourself.
What GPA do Ivy Leagues want?
To get into most Ivy League schools, you'll need an average GPA between 3.9 and 4.0. However, if you're aiming for a top Ivy League university such as Stanford, MIT, or others, a 4.0 GPA — or close to it — is expected.
What is the easiest AP class?
- Computer Science Principles.
- Psychology.
- Human Geography.
- Environmental Science.
- U.S. Government and Politics.
Is a 4 bad on an AP exam?
Firstly, it's important to note that a 4 on an AP test is not considered a bad score.
Is 8 AP classes enough for Ivy League?
For students aiming for the Ivy League and Top 20 schools in the United States, a good target is to take (and pass) 10-14 AP classes throughout your high school career — or 3-4 each year.
Which schools don't accept AP?
Nine schools give students no credit for AP work. These institutions include some of the top schools in the country: Dartmouth University, Brown University, the California Institute of Technology, Williams College, and Amherst College. 2. Restrict the number of AP subject areas that are eligible for course credit.
Is 3 aps a lot junior year?
Junior Year
Depending on what kind of school you want to go to, you should be taking between 3 and 5 AP® classes this year.
Does Yale accept 3 on AP test?
Yale accepts scores of 4 and 5 on the AP® exams for credit. The score requirements vary by department. You can use your AP® credits to “accelerate” your Yale education.
Does MIT accept 4s?
MIT does not accept AP or transfer credit for all subjects. No credit is awarded for scores lower than 5.
What is the lowest GPA Yale will accept?
Yale does not set a strict minimum GPA requirement for admission; however, the average GPA of admitted students is typically around 4.0. This reflects the competitive nature of the admissions process, where students are expected to demonstrate strong academic performance.
What GPA do you need for Princeton?
You should also have a 3.94 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Princeton, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
Is 3 an ok AP score?
Additionally, since a 3 on an AP exam is passing, the score may have some benefits, depending on the specific college you're applying to.
Does Princeton accept 3 on AP test?
Princeton accepts AP® scores of 5 (and rarely 4) for course credit. These requirements vary by department. Princeton has certain classes that everyone has to take called distribution requirements. You can't use AP® credits to get out of these distribution requirements.
Does NYU accept 3 on AP test?
NYU's school code is 2838. If you wish to apply with 3 AP exam results, we require one from a Humanities exam, one from a Math or Science exam, and one from an exam of your choice. For Stern and Tandon, one of the exams must be in Math (Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, BC or Statistics).