During high school, students should enroll in Advanced Placement classes. Many students (and parents) wonder how exactly AP classes and AP exams give you an edge during the college admissions process. We’ve created this guide to explain what are AP Scholar Awards and why they are important to high school students.
What Are the AP Scholar Awards?
The AP Scholar Awards is an award program sponsored by the College Board. Every year, the AP (Advanced Placement) Program recognizes the outstanding accomplishments demonstrated by high school students on their AP exams. The AP Scholar Awards are added to the student’s online score reports and receive a certificate in the mail during the summer.
Why Are They Important?
An AP Scholar award can help a student in their college application. Competitive school will look beyond the student’s GPA. Furthermore, an AP Scholar award signifies that a student aspired to tackle difficult challenges at a high level. There is no financial benefit that comes with this award, but it can help with obtaining one through other college scholarship programs.
How Do You Qualify?
Students are evaluated based on three variables in order to qualify for an AP Scholar Award. First, their average AP Exam score is calculated on all exams taken during the current year and in previous years. Second, the exam scores must be checked to see whether they are valid and are counted towards the various AP Scholar Awards. Lastly, the location of your high school.
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There are ten distinct types of AP Scholar Awards. The breakdown of the Awards are divided into these categories.
1. AP Scholar
This award is granted to students who have received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
2. AP Scholar with Honors
Students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams and score 3 or higher on four or more of these exams, are eligible for this award.
3. AP Scholar with Distinction
Students who receive an average of 3.5 on all AP Exams as well as scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
4. State AP Scholar
This award is granted to the female and male student in each state with scores of three or higher on the greatest number of AP exams, in addition to the highest average score of at least 3.5.
5. National Scholar
Granted to students in the United States who receive an average of four on all AP exams taken, and scores of four or higher on eight or more of these exams.
6. National Scholar in Canada
This award is granted to students in Canada who receive an average score of at least four on all AP Exams and scores of four or higher on five or more.
7. National AP Scholar (Bermuda)
This award is granted to students in Bermuda who receive an average score of at least four on all AP Exams and scores of four or higher on five or more.
8. DoDEA AP Scholar
Students who attend the Department of Defense Education Activity schools with the highest average score on the greatest number of AP Exams are eligible for this award. Moreover, the required minimum score for this award is a three or higher.
9. International AP Scholar
Students attending school outside of the United States are eligible for this award. Also, the minimum requirement is a score of three or higher.
10. AP International Diploma
This award is a globally recognized certificate awarded to the students who shore exceptional achievement in school. Additionally, International students attending secondary schools outside the United States are eligible for this award.
Deadline
If you are a student who wants to qualify for any categories of the AP Scholar Awards, then you will need to take the requisite exams by the end of your junior year. You must do so in order to receive the award by fall of your senior year.
David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.
