Understanding AP Scholar designations

So I've been hearing about these AP Scholar awards, and I'm curious about the different levels and requirements. How do these designations work, and what are the benefits of being an AP Scholar? Would it have any impact on my college applications?

AP Scholar awards are academic distinctions offered by the College Board to high school students who excel in their AP exams. There are several levels of AP Scholar recognition based on students' performance:

1. AP Scholar: Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

2. AP Scholar with Honor: Awarded to students who achieve an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams.

3. AP Scholar with Distinction: Given to students who achieve an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams.

4. State AP Scholar: Awarded to the top male and female students in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with the highest average score on at least eight AP exams and a minimum score of 3 on each exam.

5. National AP Scholar: Granted to U.S. students with an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more exams.

Apart from these distinctions, students in Canada and international schools may also qualify for AP International Diploma, AP Capstone Diploma, or AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

While being recognized as an AP Scholar does add an extra accomplishment to your college application, it's important to remember that AP awards won't have a significant impact on your college admissions chances. College admissions officers are more interested in the AP courses themselves and your performance in them. The rigor and achievement demonstrated through AP classes and exams is the main value, as it shows that you can handle college-level coursework.

However, AP Scholar designations demonstrate your dedication and academic talent. These acknowledgements can help to reinforce your overall academic profile, provide a better representation of your abilities to deal with challenging coursework, and highlight your commitment to learning. In summary, the benefits of AP Scholar recognition are supplementary and will bolster your application, although they won't necessarily be the determining factor in college admissions decisions.