When and How to Send AP Scores to Colleges?

When's the best time to send the AP scores to my prospective colleges? And what's the process to do so?

You don't need to rush to send your AP scores to colleges as you complete your AP exams. In fact, you usually send your scores to the colleges you end up deciding to apply to a little later in the application cycle. This happens primarily in the summer or fall of your senior year. Keep in mind that you don't usually send AP scores as part of your college application. Your AP classes and grades will be listed on your transcript, which gives admission officers an understanding of the rigor of your course load.

The primary purpose of sending formal AP score reports to colleges is generally for the purpose of receiving credit or advanced standing once you've been admitted. AP scores aren’t usually a crucial factor in admission decisions, unless a college specifically states otherwise. However, if the AP score greatly complements your application, you might want to consider self-reporting it in the appropriate section of the application, even though the official score report isn't required at that stage.

To send AP scores, you follow the instructions provided by the College Board. Every year, you have a free score send through which you can send your scores to one college of your choice. Any additional reports will come with a fee. You can request these additional score sends through your College Board online account, or by mail or fax with a completed AP Services form. When it comes to deciding to send or not send a particular score, it can be helpful to know how your prospective colleges view and award credit for AP scores. Some schools award credit for scores of 3 and above, while others require a 4 or 5. The policies might also differ by department within a particular university. You can explore these details on the college's official admissions website or by contacting the admissions office directly.