How important are AP exam scores in the admissions process, and how do admissions officers view honors or accelerated courses as compared to AP courses?

"AP exam scores are typically not available to admission committees for any advanced placement coursework taken in the senior year. AP tests are taken in May, and the results become available well beyond the admission decision-making process in the spring. AP test results are important, however, for placement purposes, and students can obtain college credit and placement for strong AP test results. Carnegie Mellon does pay attention to the quality of selection of coursework of a student. Advanced coursework -- whether it is called AP, honors, or accelerated -- does indicate that a student is enrolled in challenging coursework and proceeding at an accelerated rate."

- Michael Steidel, Director of Admission, Carnegie Mellon University

"We prefer AP-level work and accord such work more weight in our evaluation of the curriculum an applicant has chosen. We have to have the decisions made before we receive a lot of the AP scores, so his or her having taken the course is probably more important."

- Tony Strickland, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

"AP exam scores are looked at seriously, both in the admissions process and later on, when placing the incoming students in their specific first-year classes. All advanced courses (AP, honors, and accelerated courses) are noted during the review process. It is expected that students applying to highly selective schools will seek out the more demanding curricula. Students not taking advantage of these courses offered at their schools are generally not looked at favorably in the selection process."

- Daniel J. Saracino, Assistant Provost for Enrollment, University of Notre Dame

"AP scores are not that important in the admissions process. Having taken AP classes is far more valuable. MIT expects that you have taken the higher level courses, if they are available -- especially in math and science."

- Roland M. Allen, Associate Director of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology